It doesn't look it comes with an extension cord like other macbooks, but if I have one laying around from my other macbook, can I use it with the new power brick that comes with the new MacBook Retina?
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How long is the power cord that ships with the new MacBook?
- Thread starter 212rikanmofo
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Most reports say that the extension cord from other Mac chargers will work with the charger for the new MacBook.
It sounds like the cord from the brick to the computer is a 6-foot USB-C to USB-C cord, which is detachable, but only good for charging (no data transfer).
The rMB comes with a charging cord that is over six feet long. Which is leaps longer than any of the charger cords I have from my previous four MBAs.
I'm only repeating what I've read others report, but I've seen this kind of thing before. Sometimes a cable looks like a USB cable, but it only carries the pins/wires for power, and not the pins/wires for data. I think it's cheaper to manufacture. It's too bad if it's true, because it would be nice to have a USB-C data cable as a free accessory.
I would take "reports" for a grain of salt. Before the rMB launched people claimed the charging cord was the same length of as an iPad cord - not.
It's definitely longer, but unfortunately the power brick no longer has the 'holds' to wrap the cord around for travel/storage. The omission of the AC extension that all previous MacBooks have come with in recent memory is also a cheap-a$$ move by Apple. I could understand if it was priced the same as a MBA, but not at 50% more.
This is a hunch, not a promise - the cable Apple supplies is quite thick, so it probably as quite a few conductors in it, so it probably is a fully capable USB-C cable. That hunch is worth everything you paid for it...
This is a hunch, not a promise - the cable Apple supplies is quite thick, so it probably as quite a few conductors in it, so it probably is a fully capable USB-C cable. That hunch is worth everything you paid for it...
From the Apple Store:
"The 2-meter USB-C Charge Cable is a charging cable with USB-C connectors on both ends. Use it with the Apple 29W USB-C Power Adapter (sold separately) to conveniently charge your MacBook with USB-C port from a wall outlet. It also supports USB 2 for syncing and data transfer between USB-C devices."
From the Apple MacBook support area:
"Directly connect the 2-meter USB-C Charge Cable and the 29W USB-C Power Adapter to charge your computer. These are included in the box with your MacBook. You can also use the USB-C Charge Cable to transfer data between your MacBook and other USB-C devices at USB 2.0 speeds."
I think it's pretty well defined. Unless of course, it changes.
From the Apple Store:
"The 2-meter USB-C Charge Cable is a charging cable with USB-C connectors on both ends. Use it with the Apple 29W USB-C Power Adapter (sold separately) to conveniently charge your MacBook with USB-C port from a wall outlet. It also supports USB 2 for syncing and data transfer between USB-C devices."
From the Apple MacBook support area:
"Directly connect the 2-meter USB-C Charge Cable and the 29W USB-C Power Adapter to charge your computer. These are included in the box with your MacBook. You can also use the USB-C Charge Cable to transfer data between your MacBook and other USB-C devices at USB 2.0 speeds."
I think it's pretty well defined. Unless of course, it changes.
But why only 2.0 speeds???
I would guess that above and beyond the price advantage, there is probably a thinness advantage. Keep in mind that a 2 meter cable requires larger gauge wire to limit voltage drop.
Yeah, that is a bit of a given. So Apple provides a USB 2.0 charger cable with type C connectors. Actually kind of lame. You don't get the extension cable and you don't get a proper USB 3.x cable. I mean I guess its better than no data capabilities at all, but this also means things like charger bricks with onboard peripheral hubs are not a viable product unless they ship with their own cable. Just a bit of a let down, that's all.
Edit: Good post by dyt1983, and I get the trade-offs...2m long 4.8mm diameter cable would actually be pretty cumbersome in a laptop bag, would probably defeat the purpose...but still disappointing.
I haven't gone back to the tech specs, but I'm 99.9999% sure that USB C can support speeds greater than current USB 3.0, and that the implementation in the rMB will support at least 5 mb/s.
The best practice with a laptop is to never have anything on it that you can't delete without thinking. With DropBox and iCloud, that's pretty easy to achieve.
Heck, I even keep images of non-App Store install discs in the cloud so that I can do a clean install on the road.