Additional MacBook USBC charger - Can I use iPad charger?

[EugW]

Are there any good quality third party USBC chargers that work with the MacBook? I have a 2017 m3.

I don't need superfast charging, but just want a few extra chargers to minimize having to carry around the charger.

What about just using an iPad 12 Watt charger with the appropriate cable?

I note the USBC charger that comes with the MacBook states:

14.5 V x 2.0 A = 29 Watts

OR

5.2 V x 2.4 A = 12.5 Watts

I have a 12 W iPad charger with the exact same specs as that second spec listing: 5.2 V x 2.4 A.

 

[Puonti]

I feel like the best experience would be to get a second Apple 29W USB C charger and an Apple USB C to lightning charging cable. That way you'd always get great charging performance for your Macbook and iPad (even quick charging depending on your iPad model).

Double up the cables if you don't want to carry them around either.

 

[icymountain]

I have not tried it, and am just speaking with my experience swapping adapters but I would expect the MB to charge very slowly, and possibly even (slowly) discharge if used while using this charger.
(a few years ago, I would sometimes use my iPhone adapter to charge my iPad 2, and it was working but very slow)

 

[waigx]

I charge my rMB with 5v/2.4a regular charger with no issue.
System Report - Hardware - Power show "AC Charger Information: Wattage (W): 12" correctly.

 

[KPOM]

You would need a USB-A to C cable to use an iPad charger, and it would take over twice as long to charge. I'd suggest either getting the Apple charger (and charging cable), or checking out the reviews at the following site:

https://plus.google.com/102612254593917101378

USB-C charging is a bit of the Wild West. Apple's 29W is a proprietary standard, but a fully USB-C-compliant charger will give the MacBook the power it needs (likely 20V @ 1.45A). I use the Finsix Dart-C. It is pricey but tiny and capable of 65W. It will charge the 13" MacBook Pro as well as the MacBook. When used with the Apple Multiport Adapter it will charge the MacBook nearly at full speed (the 29W charger will not).

 

[magbarn]

A 12 watt USB A charger will charge your rMB, but it can take 6+ hours if you're using the laptop. (Often, I'm draining too much to even charge) Even with the lid closed it still takes 4-5 hour minimum

Get this: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Delive...499715076&sr=8-3&keywords=anker+usb+c+charger

works great on my 2016 rMB and even fast charges iPP 12
I use USB C cables from Amazon too: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerLine-Durability-Including-Nintendo/dp/B06Y25Y6WX/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1499715338&sr=8-5&keywords=anker+usb+c+cable&th=1

 

[EugW]

Thanks guys. I'm just going to use the iPad charger, since it works according to some of you, even if just slowly. These are secondary chargers like one in the bedroom to be used overnight in case I bring my MacBook with me to bed.

I already have a couple of extra iPad chargers, so I wouldn't have to buy new ones. I would just need the cables. I was going to buy one anyway, so maybe I should just buy a pack of cables instead.

 

[KPOM]

Thanks guys. I'm just going to use the iPad charger, since it works according to some of you, even if just slowly. These are secondary chargers like one in the bedroom to be used overnight in case I bring my MacBook with me to bed.

I already have a couple of extra iPad chargers, so I wouldn't have to buy new ones. I would just need the cables. I was going to buy one anyway, so maybe I should just buy a pack of cables instead.

I still recommend going onto Nathan K or Benson Leung's Google+ pages. Some cheap USB-A-to-C cables don't have the proper wiring to prevent damage to the host or charging device. They have reviews of cables.

 

[EugW]

I still recommend going onto Nathan K or Benson Leung's Google+ pages. Some cheap USB-A-to-C cables don't have the proper wiring to prevent damage to the host or charging device. They have reviews of cables.

I'd be buying the Anker cables. Apparently, they get good reviews.

Note for some reason when I tried to access that page on my phone I got a general page, not a specific page about cables. Maybe I'll try again on my computer.

 

[EugW]

Got my Aukey USB-A to USB-C cables. Works great with the iPad chargers. I'm satisfied with that combo for secondary chargers. They work to keep the machine charged and then some while I use it, and obviously easily charge the laptop overnight too. Given that I already have extra iPad chargers, this is a cost effective way to get multiple backup chargers.

However, one issue is that these Aukey cables are pretty stiff, probably mainly because of the braided coat. They seem to have good quality connectors, but I'd prefer something more flexible like the Apple cables. Furthermore, I don't know it they are actually to spec for data transfer. The early Aukey USB-C to USB-C cables were out of spec for data transfer. However, the good news is that more recent Aukey USB-C to USB-A cables get a 5-star passing grade from Benson.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3NCEP1M1P2VLS

 

[Buerkletucson]

Here is what I use for all my Apple products.......one charger that I can charge all electronics all at once.
iPhones, iPads, Macbook, etc.
Little more pricey, but for what it can do, is very worth it to me.

I have one at home and one I use for travel....very slick & compact.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D8C6ULO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


When touring on the motorcycle I also use it to charge our Bluetooth helmet headsets.

 

[zhenya]

I can confirm that the above Anker charger works fine for the MacBook. Also, in spite of what is stated in the question and answer section at Amazon, current versions do charge when connected to the Apple Digital AV adapter.

 

[EugW]

Well, the point was I want multiple chargers in different places. The Anker multi-charger seems fine, but solves a different problem.

 

[zhenya]

Well, the point was I want multiple chargers in different places. The Anker multi-charger seems fine, but solves a different problem.

When I first purchased my MacBook in 2015 I also purchased a couple generic usb-a to usb-c cables and successfully used my extra iPad chargers to trickle charge the MacBook. At some point in recent years that method of charging ceased working. I don't know if Apple changed something in a software update, if both of my cables went bad, or what.

I have several ways of keeping it charged now because like you I hate packing up and carrying chargers. At home I have the TopGreener wall outlet with a usb-c port. This ouputs just 13W but keeps the MacBook charged just fine. If you want additional regular wall chargers I would choose one of the recommended ones from this list https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vnpEXfo2HCGADdd9G2x9dMDWqENiY2kgBJUu29f_TX8/pubhtml#

 

[EugW]

Thanks, but I already have a couple of Apple iPad chargers, so I'll just use those.

Actually, one of the reasons I have extra iPad chargers is because I bought a multi-device charger already, and charge two of my iPads with it, along with a Nexus 7, and an iPhone.

It's an Avantree Power House.

 

[Buerkletucson]

Well, the point was I want multiple chargers in different places. The Anker multi-charger seems fine, but solves a different problem.

Passing on information to others about a great option for charging multiple devices at once...
People visiting these threads have different concerns and needs.......thread drift does and will always happen.
Wasn't necessarily responding to your original post, or I would of quoted it.

 

[EugW]

I brought the MacBook and an extra USBA to USBC cable to work. Plugged the USBA end into my work PC and the USBC end into my MacBook. Nothing happened. Won't charge the MacBook, and neither machine detects the other.

I do have an iPad charger there too, so I guess I'll just use that.

 

[Mike Boreham]

I brought the MacBook and an extra USBA to USBC cable to work. Plugged the USBA end into my work PC and the USBC end into my MacBook. Nothing happened. Won't charge the MacBook, and neither machine detects the other.

They certainly wouldn't detect each other like that (and which would be quite risky in my book).

If you are hoping to get them to communicate you need a completely different approach, but if you were hoping to charge your MacBook from the PC like this, remember that a typical USB port output is around 3 Watts. An iPad charger is around 12 Watts and the Apple supplied MacBook charger is 29W.

Another approach to an alternative way of charging your MacBook would be a portable powerpack. There are a number which will do this, some even at the full 29W (15V 2A). Look for "USB-PD" if you want this. RavPower and Anker are the main names. Many smaller powerpacks will charge at 12W (5V 2.4A). Here is a long thread about MacBooks and powerpacks.

 

[EugW]

This is great. I never carry a charger around with me anymore with the laptop, unless I'm traveling.

I have my original charger in my home office, an iPad charger with appropriate cable in my bedroom, and another iPad charger with appropriate cable at my workplace.

Coupled with the decent battery life of the MacBook, the slow charging from the iPad charger is not an issue. Furthermore, if I have the MacBook plugged into the iPad charger while I am using it (Office apps, email, browsers, and the like), it will stay fully charged.

The main annoyance now is the dongles. The good news is that my main hub/dongle with USB 3, SD Card, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI allows USB-C power passthrough, which again works attached to an iPad charger with the appropriate cable.

 

[robvas]

I brought the MacBook and an extra USBA to USBC cable to work. Plugged the USBA end into my work PC and the USBC end into my MacBook. Nothing happened. Won't charge the MacBook, and neither machine detects the other.

I do have an iPad charger there too, so I guess I'll just use that.

Work PC is going to only kick out like 2.5w

 

[EugW]

I went on a 3-day trip with my iPhone and MacBook, and only bought an iPad charger with the appropriate cables. Worked fine. Wasn't as fast for charging, but it was good enough, since it kept the machine charged while I used it, and of course I could charge overnight as well if necessary.

The only thing was swapping the cables back and forth between the iPhone and MacBook wasn't ideal. Next time I may just bring an iPad charger along with an iPhone charger. For important business trips I'll probably bring the full-sized MacBook charger, but for quick trips with simpler usage, the iPad charger works fine.

The iPad charger is also great for the plane since it is small, at least for those seats which have AC output. Note that the USB ports on planes will not charge the MacBook, even though it can often charge an iPhone. OTOH, the USB ports that are in the airport terminal seating locations often can charge the MacBook, or at least prevent it from discharging.

It seems one of the better features of the MacBook is just how little power it needs overall, not just for usage but also for charging.

 

[deepakvrao]

Old thread I know, but just wanted to clarify before I tried it. I have a Samsung charger for my Note. 5v2a, so I guess that is 10 watts? Would it be sad to use that to charge my MB. I know it will be slow, but like the OPs need, just as an additional charger at a different location.

And like the airport USB ports - if I just try to charge, and it does not work, can it ruin my MB?

 

[EugW]

Old thread I know, but just wanted to clarify before I tried it. I have a Samsung charger for my Note. 5v2a, so I guess that is 10 watts? Would it be sad to use that to charge my MB. I know it will be slow, but like the OPs need, just as an additional charger at a different location.

And like the airport USB ports - if I just try to charge, and it does not work, can it ruin my MB?

Should be fine, just slow (assuming it charges at all).