Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
14-inch MacBook Pro Can Fast Charge Via Thunderbolt, But Fast Charge Limited to MagSafe in 16-inch Model
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
When the USB-C standards were developed, there was a specific standard for charging, known as USB-C Power Delivery (PD). This allowed for power to be delivered via USB-C cables at up to 100W.
That was fine at the time, but with higher-powered laptops on the way, more power was needed. A new standard was developed to support power delivery of up to 240W, and Apple was instrumental in driving this. This new standard is known as USB PD 3.1 Extended Power Range (EPR). This delivers up to 28V at 5A, supporting anything up to 240W.
Apple’s new 16-inch MacBook Pro charger uses the new USB PD 3.1 EPR standard, and is – as far as I can see – the very first charger on the market to do so.
The problem is that the standard is so new, there isn’t yet a USB-C to USB-C EPR-rated cable available, as Benson Leung explained on Reddit (via CNET).
That means that, for now, you can’t charge a 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro at full power into one of the USB-C ports. Apple does, however, support EPR via its new USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable. That means you can get full power – including that 30-minute 50% charge – using the MagSafe cable.
The limitation is temporary. There are USB-C to USB-C EPR cables in the works, and as soon as they are available, you’ll be able to use them with the 16-inch MBP charger. But, for now, you’ll need to stick to the MagSafe charger for maximum performance.
It does, though, mean that there will be yet another compatibility gotcha when buying USB-C cables …
This article comes from reddit and 9to5Mac. It makes perfect sense.
I am not surprised. Typical of Apple under TC's management. In later revision, they will enable it and advertise it as a "new feature".
No, it means the standard required to make it work isn’t really implemented yet.
For one, MagSafe allows charging at more than 100W.
Standard isn’t implemented.
You're misunderstanding the article.
- 14" MBP can fast charge over Magsafe and Thunderbolt/USB-C
- 16" MBP can only fast charge over Magsafe. Thunderbolt/USB-C is limited to non fast charge speeds.
I think that the new 16 inch will support fast charging through USB-C once the USB's group releases the new USB-C to USB-C EPR-rated cable that supports USB PD up to 240W. https://www.macrumors.com/2021/10/19/apple-140w-power-adapter-usb-pd-3-1/
yes that has nothing to do with the limits. It's the battery size and both these laptops are smaller batteries then the 16" 2019
140W is for fast charging. The 100W Thunderbolt Power Delivery limit will still charge up your MacBook Pro, even while you're using the CPU (because that's only 30W), it just won't charge your battery to 50% in half an hour.
And yet, it is lighter than the equivalent Dell.
For the record: then: I want more battery, a brighter screen, better cooling, and ports, gotta have ports. Now: Boy this thing is heavy
you could choose to get the 96W charger:
Or you can choose the 96W USB-C Power Adapter, which lets you take advantage of
fast charging, so you can go from O to 50 per cent charge in around 30 minutes.
I don't think that is right. I have a 2014 15" MBP retina, I kept it plugged in, replaced the battery after 6 years. That sounds most excellent for a battery. Besides, your advice seems contrary to everything else Ive read
While I totally agree, the sound level of the whining about not having MagSafe, and other ports and even having the Touch Bar was deafening. I can certainly understand people having preferences, and I do like MagSafe, but not emotionally so, and as someone mentioned, the other ports are already using the 4th thunderbolt "channel", so its remove them and go with 4 TB ports, or keep them and go with 3. BTW, I also love the Touch Bar. and I am fine with TB only, but a couple of cables and don't need dongles. did get a dock, I admit, but rarely use it.
OK, apparently I am an outlier. I like thinner, so I am not adverse to a dock, the Touch Bar, TB ports.
The reason that Fast Charging is available via MagSafe or Thunderbolt on the 14" is because it tops out at 100W or less (97ish?). Thunderbolt/USB-C can carry 100W or power. However, The 16" supports up to 140W (or at least over 100W), so the only way it's going to get it is with MagSafe.
If you use USB-C to USB-C with the 140W adapter, it'll top out at 100W or close to it. So that would be the distinction. If TB4 is updated or USB 4.x comes, and supports more, then that would change.
I'm guessing that's the distinction?
If you use USB-C to USB-C with the 140W adapter, it'll top out at 100W or close to it. So that would be the distinction. If TB4 is updated or USB 4.x comes, and supports more, then that would change.
I'm guessing that's the distinction?
What I'm curious about the most is this:
Those of us who have the LG UltraFine 5k that pushes 85W (first gen), will AS actually deplete during an intensive task like video export (that's the only thing that will deplete my battery some on my 16" MBP). If it's way more power efficient than Intel, will it actually even get above that range at it's most extreme point?
Those of us who have the LG UltraFine 5k that pushes 85W (first gen), will AS actually deplete during an intensive task like video export (that's the only thing that will deplete my battery some on my 16" MBP). If it's way more power efficient than Intel, will it actually even get above that range at it's most extreme point?
Yea I already submitted my order and they can't change it without disrupting the delivery - I'll figure something out or get another charger.
I imagine the power circuitry automatically throttles down at higher charge levels.
Just to be clear, the 96 watt adaptor is the same included w/ the 16 MBP - it's rather large. The included 67 watt is a new model which I'd prefer to have for packaging reasons.
Personally I rarely use the charger that came w/ my 16" MBP due to this, instead opting for an aftermarket 100 watt gan 2 port charger that is much smaller - think it was only $40 purchased a couple years back... much rather put my $20 into another one of those.
Appreciate the advice. I was looking at some of the aftermarket chargers that were available at 100W and figured I could just grab one of those after the fact. This will be a shared computer between my wife and I so we'll each need a charger at our desk - she has a larger USB Mac charger already, I'll use the 67W at my desk, and likely just grab a 100W for travel.
The Magsafe come-back could have been as simple as a well build USB-C cable with an integrated Magsafe divider near one end, instead of a time travel 3 years back into the past. How do you even clean this port?
Yes. I have the same question on the 4k monitor and 14 inch version. I wonder if the power draw between 8 core and 10 core of the M Pro CPUs is material and that’s why the higher power charger is necessary or whether that’s just a pricing thing. In reality, I think it would take a lot to drain the battery whilst plugged into 85W thunderbolt.
The MagSafe plugs into the USB-C Power adapter, so you would need at least a 96W Power Adapter to get Fast-Charging(96W for the 14", 140W for the 16"). USB-C into the Laptop will charge at max USB-C rating (100W) on both machines, but isn't high enough wattage for the 16" to be considered Fast Charging, (Bigger battery, takes longer to get to 50%)
From my understanding, the M1 Pro/Max only supports 4 TB ports, one is internal to run the display and the HDMI port, so they couldn't have put an extra TB port unless they completely redesigned the M1 Pro/Max chip. So the Thunderbolt port is an extra port, not a replacement port.