16-Inch MacBook Pro Includes 96W USB-C Power Adapter in Box, Available Separately for $79

[Vjosullivan]

I apologize for what is probably a dumb question... Would this charge my 2018 MacBook Air faster than its stock charger which (I believe) is 30W? Or would this cause damage to the battery because it's overpowered? Technical electricity facts are not my strong suit...

Volts are "pushed" (high voltage is analogous to high water pressure). Watts are "pulled" (high wattage is analogous to big water pipes). All USB connections are at 5 volts, so there is no danger of electricity being forced down the wires at "high pressure" by high capacity chargers.

High wattage chargers have the capacity to make more electricity available to the charging device, if it wants it. Nothing is being forced.

Low wattage chargers don't have the capacity to supply electricity to a larger devices at the rate it wants, hence recharging becomes slow.

 

[nicho]

They didn't quote cooling capacity. Just the bigger battery can support the extra watts.

Ahh, the old "I didn't read it so it didn't happen".

"The resulting gain in cooling capacity allows MacBook Pro to deliver up to 12 watts more maximum sustained power."

MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro laptop with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. Built for Apple Intelligence. Up to 24 hours of battery life. Liquid Retina XDR display.

www.apple.com

 

[theluggage]

The cords wear down and fray before the actual brick starts to fry itself

Of course, with USB-C, the cords are no longer part of the adapter (AFAIK now you don't even get any cords - mains or USB-C - with the $79 adapter...)

 

[manu chao]

But if you use a lower wattage charger with a machine that needs a higher wattage, it will either charge very slowly or not at all.

Let's say we have a laptop with a 100 W charger. During full-throttle use the computer uses almost the complete power that is supplied. During average use, it might only use 50% of that power and the charging takes 4 h. During sleep the laptop charges within 2 h.

Now put a 70 W charger, during average use, that leaves a 20 W power surplus that can be used for charging. That increases the charging time by a factor of 2.5x, meaning it takes 10 h instead of 4 h. Some people might call that very slow, I'd simply call it slower. And during sleep, the charging time only increases from 2 to 3 h.

 

[Hazmat401]

Of course, with USB-C, the cords are no longer part of the adapter (AFAIK now you don't even get any cords - mains or USB-C - with the $79 adapter...)

I would say that’s a good problem

 

[theluggage]

I would say that’s a good problem

Good that the cords are replaceable and you can use the charger for other things.
(of course, making the old MagSafe cable detachable wouldn't have violated the laws of physics, either).

Not good that Apple nickel-and-dimes customers by not including a USB-C cable and mains extension cable with the spare charger.

(What tickled me was when I ordered a Magic Trackpad and a Magic Keyboard with my high-end iMac, both of which would come with a lightning cable if bought separately, I only got one cable... because nobody ever wants to recharge their keyboard and trackpad at the same time... I guess the only way to get a drink out of an Apple exec must be to stick your finger down their throat.)

 

[segfaultdotorg]

I wonder how long it takes to fully charge using a 5-watt iPhone charger and a USB-A to USB-C cable? 🤔

(I've actually done this calculation for a MacBook Air, but don't recall the results...)

 

[PickUrPoison]

They didn't quote cooling capacity. Just the bigger battery can support the extra watts.

You misinterpreted Apple’s meaning. They are definitely referencing the capability to dissipate a greater amount of heat. But my post did imply the additional cooling capacity was exclusively for the CPU, which is not the case; it is for the system as a whole. However, it would seem the CPU would be the major beneficiary of increased heat dissipation.

More Advanced Thermal Design ​

The 16-inch MacBook Pro uses the most advanced thermal architecture ever in a Mac notebook to enable the system to run at higher power for sustained periods of time. The sophisticated fan design features a larger impeller with extended blades along with bigger vents, resulting in a 28 percent increase in airflow, while the heat sink is 35 percent larger, enabling significantly more heat dissipation than before. Together, these advancements in cooling capacity allow the 16-inch MacBook Pro to sustain up to 12 more watts during intensive workloads than the previous design.​

Apple introduces 16-inch MacBook Pro, the world’s best pro notebook

Apple today unveiled an all-new 16-inch MacBook Pro, the world’s best pro notebook, designed for pros from developers to scientists and more.

www.apple.com

 

[CarlJ]

That's why I bought a couple of Blockheads https://tenonedesign.com/blockhead.php

Very interesting, thanks!

 

[PickUrPoison]

That's why I bought a couple of Blockheads https://tenonedesign.com/blockhead.php

Nice, though pricey. But I get it, low volume specialized item. It’s worth it.

Appreciate the link, I was unaware of the product. Ordered!

 

[Falhófnir]

Why would you need an extension cord? Use a 3 or 4 metre USB cable.

Because having the whole giant, heavy brick hanging out of the wall is a bit ridiculous? Particularly where outlets are in a tight or hard to reach place, much easier to thread the regular plug on a long length of cord in than the whole power block.

 

[colinwil]

All USB connections are at 5 volts, so there is no danger of electricity being forced down the wires at "high pressure" by high capacity chargers.

Though you're correct about there being no danger, it's not as simple as that these days.

High-end USB-C chargers, eg. from Apple, Anker, Dell, etc. implement the Power Delivery (PD) protocol.

They start at the standard 5 volts, 2 amps (10W), but can then negotiate with the thing being charged (as long as it supports PD) to increase that to 9, 15 or 20 volts, and with a higher amp range too.

Apple's 100W charger will be supplying 20 volts - so 5 amps to the MacbookPro 16".

But it's still safe to use with eg. your ancient 1st gen iPod nano, because that doesn't know about PD, so will always just get the regular 5V/2A/10W.

If it was charging the MBP at 5V that would be 20A - which would required a much thicker cable, and would probably fry the USB plug and socket!

 

[DogHouseDub]

once I found that a 30W charger could keep my 2018 MBP up and running, I grabbed that tiny Anker 30W PIQ with a usb-c cable and called it a day.

 

[jaytv111]

I wonder how long it takes to fully charge using a 5-watt iPhone charger and a USB-A to USB-C cable? 🤔

(I've actually done this calculation for a MacBook Air, but don't recall the results...)

That doesn't work with the current 15 inch Macbook Pro. It does see 5 watt chargers as a power source but I don't think it even uses that for power or charging at all. Same for 10 or 12 watt chargers. Even 15 or 18 watts are a little low for charging.

If it was charging the MBP at 5V that would be 20A - which would required a much thicker cable, and would probably fry the USB plug and socket!

The power supply cannot supply 20A at 5V. If you don't negotiate PD you're limited to 2.4 amps at 5V, the power supply will not go any higher than that. If you do negotiate PD then the voltage can go to 9, 12, or 20 volts, and current can be limited to anywhere from 2 to 5 amps (and you negotiate your acceptable power profiles with the PD protocol). The power supply is designed to stay within this range and they have overcurrent and overvoltage protection to prevent it from going outside of boundaries (some cheap power supplies though may not have overcurrent or overvoltage protection and can cause damage or even a fire if a malfunction like that happens).

 

[VictorTango777]

Not a dumb question, you can use a higher wattage charger with out any problems on a machine that doesn't need it. It won't charge faster though, but if you use a lower wattage charger with a machine that needs a higher wattage, it will either charge very slowly or not at all.

You wouldn't believe the amount of debate that has occurred in these forums over this subject, with some people vehemently arguing the opposite of your response. Their lack of understanding is compounded by Apple's tendency to ship different wattage power adapters for each laptop model, rather than standardizing on a single power adapter across all their laptops. It would also simplify inventory for stores and people who own different size Mac laptops.
[automerge]1573774556[/automerge]
I would like to see Apple make a laptop power adapter with an extra port for charging multiple devices. Similar to this but without the extra bulk:

PlugBug Duo | USB iPhone & iPad charger & international adapter – Twelve South

Snap PlugBug Duo onto your Apple MacBook power adapter and add back two traditional USB charging ports. You can charge 3 devices from just one outlet and with five international adapters, you can stay charged in over 150 countries.

www.twelvesouth.com

 

[segfaultdotorg]

That doesn't work with the current 15 inch Macbook Pro. It does see 5 watt chargers as a power source but I don't think it even uses that for power or charging at all. Same for 10 or 12 watt chargers. Even 15 or 18 watts are a little low for charging.

Interesting. I've charged a current MacBook Air with a standard 12 watt USB charger, but didn't realize that the other models wouldn't charge with same. Overall, it seems to be better than the recent past - a 2006-ish MacBook (which shipped with a 65w MagSafe adapter) would run but not charge with a 45w MagSafe adapter (I think it had to do with the maximum voltage supplied by those adapters)... At least a MacBook Pro will charge with the adapter shipped with an Air.

 

[jaytv111]

Interesting. I've charged a current MacBook Air with a standard 12 watt USB charger, but didn't realize that the other models wouldn't charge with same. Overall, it seems to be better than the recent past - a 2006-ish MacBook (which shipped with a 65w MagSafe adapter) would run but not charge with a 45w MagSafe adapter (I think it had to do with the maximum voltage supplied by those adapters)... At least a MacBook Pro will charge with the adapter shipped with an Air.

After some testing I'll have to correct myself:

5 watts: it "sees" it as being plugged in, but doesn't charge the battery. I'm not sure if it does charging when off.

12 watts: It sees it and charges and it gave me an estimate of over 10 hours to charge from 40%. Looks like this will work in a pinch if you're traveling and don't have a larger adapter so long as the cable is the right one, type C to A. Just let it sit overnight.

18 watts: It sees it and charges and gave an estimate of 6 hours to charge from 40%

30 watts: Estimate of 3 hours to charge

87 watts: Estimate of 1:50 to charge.

Now if I stress the Macbook Pro it might not charge any more because the power draw of the CPU and GPU are pretty high even compared to the Macbook Air.

And of course the 16 inch Macbook Pro will have a larger battery (mine's 72 watt hour, the 16 is 100 watt hour).

 

[alphaod]

Does it come with the extension? That’s the only way I use mine.

No. but you can buy it separately for $20...

 

[arnoz]

once I found that a 30W charger could keep my 2018 MBP up and running, I grabbed that tiny Anker 30W PIQ with a usb-c cable and called it a day.

Is it charging, or just avoiding it to discharge with a 30W charger? No issues under heavy load?

 

[djcerla]

Apple MBP charger cords wear down and fray into non-functioning at a rate so much faster than any third party or other laptop manufacturers’ that it’s ridiculous. I’ve never owned a MBP (and I’ve owned many) that didn’t need a new charger in two or three years, and some replaced a second time, purely due to the same thing: the cord disintegrating.

I use Apple laptops, phones and tablets since my 1999 iBook.

I’ve never had a single charger malfunctioning or breaking in any way. A couple of iPhone cables got damaged due to mechanical stress (but still funcioning), chargers absolutely reliable.

 

[DogHouseDub]

Is it charging, or just avoiding it to discharge with a 30W charger? No issues under heavy load?

No issue doing reasonably intensive large data computation (R scripts for data clustering. Data sets 100-500Mb). Under normal human use, it can charge while using. You’re probably right when doing bigger tasks.

 

[Allograft]

Not a dumb question, you can use a higher wattage charger with out any problems on a machine that doesn't need it. It won't charge faster though, but if you use a lower wattage charger with a machine that needs a higher wattage, it will either charge very slowly or not at all.

I understand that when charging a laptop, and well particularly a laptop's battery, using a lower wattage charger with a machine that needs a higher wattage, then it can damage the battery's lifespan. Is this the case with the 87w charger and the 2019 16 rMBP? Do people know what the machine's wattage needs are?

 

[segfaultdotorg]

I understand that when charging a laptop, and well particularly a laptop's battery, using a lower wattage charger with a machine that needs a higher wattage, then it can damage the battery's lifespan. Is this the case with the 87w charger and the 2019 16 rMBP? Do people know what the machine's wattage needs are?

I don't think this is correct--it will take it longer to charge at a lower wattage, but assuming the charger can supply the voltage needed by the laptop, there should be no ill effects. Charging at a high wattage generates more heat, which is detrimental to battery longevity--I roll my eyes when I see some of the Android phones advertise 80% charge in 15 minutes or some similar nonsense.