I appreciate the interpretations and anecdotes/data points, thanks.

The charger is a slightly older barrel-type rather than a USB-C (which are ten a penny) and I have no others like it. The laptop is used for self-employment in the UK, so the employer that needs to furnish a new one is me.

By the time my well-travelled luggage is back in my possession (since I returned it has done FRA-LCY and LCY-FRA, with FRA-BRS still to come), it would have been a week with an uncharged laptop. I don't see how they could justify not paying out. They can have it back for charity or otherwise of course.

If they are stubborn, then they just go to the bottom of the airline list. (Well, second from bottom, just above TAP)