That will be because they have limited power output and probably won't power a cleaner's vacuum or similar high power devices. I wouldn't take the laptop charger too seriously; it will undoubtedly work with other low power appliances too. My guess is that laptops require more power to function vs a cell phone device.

In 2026, many older trains still feature stickers stating "Laptop Chargers Only" primarily due to electrical safety and voltage stability. Train power systems can be subject to power surges or "dirty" electricity that isn't as strictly regulated as a home outlet. Laptops usually have large "power bricks" or transformers that act as a buffer, smoothing out these fluctuations before they reach the sensitive internal components. Smaller mobile phone chargers—especially cheap, third-party ones—often lack this robust protection and could theoretically overheat or malfunction if the train's voltage spikes. Additionally, on many international rail networks like Indian Railways, sockets are sometimes disabled at night (11 PM to 5 AM) as a fire prevention measure, as unattended charging devices are a leading cause of small electrical fires in cramped carriage environments.