140W USB-C Power Adapter - second for travel / office

[sparkie7]

Can any generation 140W USB-C Power Adapter work ok for a MacBook Pro 16” M4 Max ?

ie. will one for a MacBook Pro 16” M1 Max be identical to the ones for an M4 Max

Similarly will any apple USB-C MagSafe 3 cable be used regardless of which MBP 16”

 

[raythompsontn]

Yes to both questions.

I use a 35 Watt charger for my M4 PRO (14") when I travel because it is small. I connect my watch to the Mac to charge, the phone is connected to the second port on the charger. Everything charges fine when I sleep.

 

[sparkie7]

Yes to both questions.

I use a 35 Watt charger for my M4 PRO (14") when I travel because it is small. I connect my watch to the Mac to charge, the phone is connected to the second port on the charger. Everything charges fine when I sleep.

Which 35w charger do you have?

 

[raythompsontn]

Which 35w charger do you have?

Apple 35 Watt Charge

The35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter. I chose that because it is easy to travel with, can charge two devices. It does not charge the MacBook fast. I don't really care as everything charges when I am asleep.

 

[sparkie7]

Thanks. How does it perform when you have other devices charging off the MacBook. I like the dual port

 

[salamanderjuice]

Just keep in mind that a 35W charger likely won't let you charge and make any sort of serious use of your 16" M4 Max.

There's a lot of GaN chargers from companies like Ugreen or Anker that are multiport and MUCH smaller than the bricks Apple ships for the same wattage. Cheaper too.

 

[sparkie7]

Thanks. Which would you suggest?

Also any suggestions apart from Apples MagSafe 3 cables or are they proprietary to apple

 

[salamanderjuice]

Thanks. Which would you suggest?

Also any suggestions apart from Apples MagSafe 3 cables or are they proprietary to apple

I can't comment on MagSafe 3 cables, sorry!

I have a 65W Ugreen Nexode I like it. Great for travel and is powerful enough for my devices anyways.

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Gallium-Nitride-Charger-Black/dp/B091BGMKYS

They also make a 140W version, although a bit bigger obviously.

UGREEN 140W USB C Charger, Mac Book Pro Charger Nexode PD3.1 PPS 3-Port Foldable GaN Fast Laptop Wall Charger Power Adapter for MacBook Pro 16'', iPhone 16/15, Chromebook (with 240W Cable)

UGREEN Nexode 140W USB C Charger PPS PD 3.1 3-Port GaN Laptop Charger Compatible with MacBook Pro 16", MacBook Air, iPad Pro, iPhone 14/13 Series, Galaxy, Steam Deck

www.amazon.com

 

[sparkie7]

Thanks will take a look

I have an Apple charger from my old Macbook Pro 15" touch bar, can I use that to charge my Macbook Pro 16"? I'd plug my magsafe 3 cable into it. Would save me buying a new adapter for the office lol. Would it be safe?

I think it's 87 Watt

 

[BeatCrazy]

Thanks will take a look

I have an Apple charger from my old Macbook Pro 15" touch bar, can I use that to charge my Macbook Pro 16"? I'd plug my magsafe 3 cable into it. Would save me buying a new adapter for the office lol. Would it be safe?

I think it's 87 Watt

Yes.

 

[Liquid.26]

I can't comment on MagSafe 3 cables, sorry!

I have a 65W Ugreen Nexode I like it. Great for travel and is powerful enough for my devices anyways.

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Gallium-Nitride-Charger-Black/dp/B091BGMKYS

They also make a 140W version, although a bit bigger obviously.

UGREEN 140W USB C Charger, Mac Book Pro Charger Nexode PD3.1 PPS 3-Port Foldable GaN Fast Laptop Wall Charger Power Adapter for MacBook Pro 16'', iPhone 16/15, Chromebook (with 240W Cable)

UGREEN Nexode 140W USB C Charger PPS PD 3.1 3-Port GaN Laptop Charger Compatible with MacBook Pro 16", MacBook Air, iPad Pro, iPhone 14/13 Series, Galaxy, Steam Deck

www.amazon.com

Please be aware that UGreen has a long history of its dongles / adapters / cables causing motherboard damage.

The brand seems to be changing its image and market strategy in these past two years, but still ...

 

[TechnoMonk]

Anything less than 65 W will help you retain the charge on 16 inch MBP, but don’t expect to gain charge in a meaningful way. I travel with 140 W charger with my M4 Max 16 MBP, I use the charger that came with my M1 Max MBP 16” on the road. I also use the same 140 W brick to charge my iPad Pro. I don’t really need to buy another multiport as I don’t usually charge two devices at the same time.

 

[goldmac2006]

Yes to both questions.

I use a 35 Watt charger for my M4 PRO (14") when I travel because it is small. I connect my watch to the Mac to charge, the phone is connected to the second port on the charger. Everything charges fine when I sleep.

Hey, no worries about fast charging!

I’ve also been using my iPhone’s USB-C cable and all the other USB-C cables I have to charge my Mac. I still keep the 70W adapter from my MBP handy for MagSafe 3.

I’ve got the same MacBook Pro as you do. I even used USB-C to USB-A cables to connect my Mac laptop, which I also use to charge my keyboard, MagSafe power banks, and other gadgets, including my iPhone 15 Pro!

 

[goldmac2006]

Anything less than 65 W will help you retain the charge on 16 inch MBP, but don’t expect to gain charge in a meaningful way. I travel with 140 W charger with my M4 Max 16 MBP, I use the charger that came with my M1 Max MBP 16” on the road. I also use the same 140 W brick to charge my iPad Pro. I don’t really need to buy another multiport as I don’t usually charge two devices at the same time.

True. When I was shopping for accessories for my new MBP at the store I saw a super cheap Nimble 65W adapter on clearance, but I seconded it cos it would not cut it for fast charging. Despite similar wattage to the one that came with my MBP.

They do sell this brand at Apple Store and carrier stores btw

 

[sparkie7]

Yes.

Great. Will save me some $$

 

[sparkie7]

Please be aware that UGreen has a long history of its dongles / adapters / cables causing motherboard damage.

The brand seems to be changing its image and market strategy in these past two years, but still ...

Noted, thanks

 

[sparkie7]

Anything less than 65 W will help you retain the charge on 16 inch MBP, but don’t expect to gain charge in a meaningful way. I travel with 140 W charger with my M4 Max 16 MBP, I use the charger that came with my M1 Max MBP 16” on the road. I also use the same 140 W brick to charge my iPad Pro. I don’t really need to buy another multiport as I don’t usually charge two devices at the same time.

Thanks. I was going to buy a second 140W charger for the office, but I thinkI'll just use my old MBP 15" 87W charger instead that's already cabled up at my desk at the studio

 

[sparkie7]

Hey, no worries about fast charging!

I’ve also been using my iPhone’s USB-C cable and all the other USB-C cables I have to charge my Mac. I still keep the 70W adapter from my MBP handy for MagSafe 3.

I’ve got the same MacBook Pro as you do. I even used USB-C to USB-A cables to connect my Mac laptop, which I also use to charge my keyboard, MagSafe power banks, and other gadgets, including my iPhone 15 Pro!

What machine did the 70W charger come from, and do you use it to charge your MBP 16" M4 Max ?

I've been told that the main advantage of the MagSafe cable is allowing charging faster than 96W, so I guess any adapter with less wattage than 96W would not be beneficial to be used with a MagSafe cable (except for the trip hazard feature)

 

[TechnoMonk]

True. When I was shopping for accessories for my new MBP at the store I saw a super cheap Nimble 65W adapter on clearance, but I seconded it cos it would not cut it for fast charging. Despite similar wattage to the one that came with my MBP.

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They do sell this brand at Apple Store and carrier stores btw

That’s a great deal. I have one of those to charge my S6 AW and iPhone.

Thanks. I was going to buy a second 140W charger for the office, but I thinkI'll just use my old MBP 15" 87W charger instead that's already cabled up at my desk at the studio

87W should be good enough at a desk in office to charge or maintain charge. I carry my 140 W brick during travels as I need quick charge on the move.

 

[sparkie7]

That’s a great deal. I have one of those to charge my S6 AW and iPhone.

87W should be good enough at a desk in office to charge or maintain charge. I carry my 140 W brick during travels as I need quick charge on the move.

Thanks. Just wondering if it’s worth getting a second MagSafe 3 cable for the office for the trip safety feature (but without the fast charging)

 

[goldmac2006]

That’s a great deal. I have one of those to charge my S6 AW and iPhone.

87W should be good enough at a desk in office to charge or maintain charge. I carry my 140 W brick during travels as I need quick charge on the move.

You also charge your MacBook with it too, right? Lmk how it is.

If you say it fast charges well on the Mac I’ll snag one if it’s still available. Burlington has a lot of Nimble accessories at a quarter of the price sold at Apple Store

What machine did the 70W charger come from, and do you use it to charge your MBP 16" M4 Max ?

I've been told that the main advantage of the MagSafe cable is allowing charging faster than 96W, so I guess any adapter with less wattage than 96W would not be beneficial to be used with a MagSafe cable (except for the trip hazard feature)

First and foremost bro 👊 I have the 14 inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro, it came with the 70 watt Apple usb c adapter. I primarily charge my only MacBook with it for MagSafe. For USB-C cable and not MagSafe I use the ports on my power strips to charge my MBP, and the included charger.

The power strips are from the Globe Electric brand, which the big one costed like $16 and the smaller one at $10-12. Ross sells them and if you cannot get it Amazon has them too; they are modern and minimalist too.

 

[raythompsontn]

How does it perform when you have other devices charging off the MacBook

Of course charging does slow down on the MacBook. I really don't care as everything is 100% after I get up in the morning. Whether it took 4 hours or 7 hours is a moot point for me. The convenience of only carrying one charger, and being able to charge four devices (MacBook, iPad, iPhone and Watch) using just one charger is worth it to me.

No cost involved in the charger as it came with the MacBook. So the price of other brands is irrelevant as I don't need to purchase those extra chargers.

Yes, higher power chargers are available. Good ones from Anker. Higher power ones are a little heavier than the 35 watt Apple charger. But again, why buy what I do not need.

To each their own. The Apple charger works for me. Others, do what makes you happy. Mine was just one solution of many. If the Apple charger breaks down, I will buy something other than from Apple.

 

[raythompsontn]

87W should be good enough at a desk in office to charge or maintain charge.

87 Watts is a significant amount of power. For a MacBook, even 16", to fully consume the 87 watts would require the MacBook 16" to running balls to the walls for an extended period of time. As in the fans running full blast, the CPU pegged at 100%. Even then I don't think the 16" system would fully consume 87 watts.

 

[raythompsontn]

Anything less than 65 W will help you retain the charge on 16 inch MBP, but don’t expect to gain charge in a meaningful way

That would only apply if a person is actively using the machine. When the machine is not being used, even. 35 watt charger will charge the battery. It will take some time to reach a full charge, but it will charge. Overnight charging? Who cares whether it takes 4 hours or 7 hours?

 

[SilasPal]

Yes to both questions.

I use a 35 Watt charger for my M4 PRO (14") when I travel because it is small. I connect my watch to the Mac to charge, the phone is connected to the second port on the charger. Everything charges fine when I sleep.

Interesting, what happens if you do something intensive like play a video game, can the 35 watt charger keep up? Or will the battery start draining? Or will the laptop shut down due to the lack of power?