Apple No Longer Sells 30W Charger Still Included With Two Devices

[MacRumors]

Apple this week stopped selling its 30W USB-C Power Adapter, despite its online store indicating that the charger is still included with the base 13-inch MacBook Air and the Apple Vision Pro. It is unclear why the adapter is no longer sold separately — strange!

Apple released the 30W USB-C Power Adapter in 2018. It was priced at $39 in the U.S., before being removed from Apple's online store.

In related news, Apple released a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max this week, in the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

The new charger can dynamically deliver up to 60W of power, despite having a smaller form factor. However, due to the thermal limitations that come with this compact design, the charger can only reach that 60W peak in shorter bursts.

Apple also sells a variety of other USB-C power adapters, including 20W, dual-port 35W (in two sizes), 70W, 96W, and 140W options.

Article Link: Apple No Longer Sells 30W Charger Still Included With Two Devices

 

[TheColtr]

underrated feature of having a removable duck head (thats what the prongs are called) is that you can use the extension cable. I dont use the extension cable often but its nice to have.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

The new charger can dynamically deliver up to 60W of power, despite having a smaller form factor. However, due to the thermal limitations that come with this compact design, the charger can only reach that 60W peak in shorter bursts.

This is why it’s no longer sold separately.

Hearing from industrial rumor is that MacBook Airs and Vision Pro will soon start shipping with new chargers included. They are shipping with old 30W Charger for now until supplies run out.

 

[MacDevil7334]

underrated feature of having a removable duck head (thats what the prongs are called) is that you can use the extension cable. I dont use the extension cable often but its nice to have.

This. I can’t help but notice that Apple is steadily eliminating the removable duck head with each new charger that is introduced (first 20W, then the dual 35W, and now the 40W). I also don’t use the extension cord often but I really value the option when I travel.

 

[ChamomileTea]

Kudos to Apple to advertise that the power adapter only supplies 60W for a limited time.

Most small and cheap chargers you see on sale today are like that but they don’t inform the user and the authorities don’t do anything to stop this false advertising.

 

[sleeptodream]

This. I can’t help but notice that Apple is steadily eliminating the removable duck head with each new charger that is introduced (first 20W, then the dual 35W, and now the 40W). I also don’t use the extension cord often but I really value the option when I travel.

This makes me so sad. I adore my duck head chargers, I almost never use anything else. They’re nice to have in your bag as there are no sharp corners to scratch things or get beat up, just a perfect squircle

 

[Ignacio Russo]

This is why it’s no longer sold separately.

Hearing from industrial rumor is that MacBook Airs and Vision Pro will soon start shipping with new chargers included. They are shipping with old 30W Charger for now until supplies run out.

A product certification (like UL, CE, FCC, etc.) applies to the product as a complete system, and the power source is considered a critical component of that system. Changing it invalidates the original certification for several key reasons.

 

[ChrisA]

Supplying 60W only for a limited time is not bad. Most devices, when you charge them, only draw max current for a limited time, then the charge rate tapers off. So you might only need the full 50W for a short time, then dropping is OK. This is how Lithium batteries work


If you need a more powerful charger, Anker makes them

 

[sevoneone]

Duck Head chargers are also super useful for International Travelers as you can buy the different heads needed for each region.

The extension cord also has a 3rd contact where the head slips over the lug on the adapter to provide a ground connection.

 

[flybynight]

This makes me so sad. I adore my duck head chargers, I almost never use anything else. They’re nice to have in your bag as there are no sharp corners to scratch things or get beat up, just a perfect squircle

Agreed! I like that the new 35W and 40W dynamic chargers have the foldable prongs… but the flat back still haves some sharp(-ish) corners. Would have been nice if those were rounded, too.

 

[Ignacio Russo]

Supplying 60W only for a limited time is not bad. Most devices, when you charge them, only draw max current for a limited time, then the charge rate tapers off. So you might only need the full 50W for a short time, then dropping is OK. This is how Lithium batteries work


If you need a more powerful charger, Anker makes them

I have the Ankers as a travel charger...but the cable helps a lot with my messy desk.

 

[mlayer]

This is a little sad. I have a bunch of duck heads lying around and a couple extension cables, so I'm not exactly going without. That said, the 35W dual-USB charger is my go-to on most short road trips and it is just about perfect.

 

[SpotOnT]

It makes sense to discontinue the 30 W charger, considering it was nearly the same size as the new 70 W charger…

I really don’t like the form factor of the new 40 W charger or the dual 35 W charger though. So unless Apple releases a new charger in the 40 W range with the same form factor, I’ll probably stick with a 70 W charger for everything.

 

[platinumaqua]

This makes me so sad. I adore my duck head chargers, I almost never use anything else. They’re nice to have in your bag as there are no sharp corners to scratch things or get beat up, just a perfect squircle

Duck Head chargers are also super useful for International Travelers as you can buy the different heads needed for each region.

The extension cord also has a 3rd contact where the head slips over the lug on the adapter to provide a ground connection.

I sure wish they made an official grounded duckhead plug

 

[macduke]

“40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max” has to be the most modern-Apple sounding name yet, and gives old school Microsoft a run for their money when it comes to bad product names. Yikes.

This makes me so sad. I adore my duck head chargers, I almost never use anything else. They’re nice to have in your bag as there are no sharp corners to scratch things or get beat up, just a perfect squircle

Not a squircle, as the sides have no roundness to them—just the edges. They are simply round rects, or in this case a rounded cuboid as it is 3D.

 

[dannyyankou]

It was overpriced anyway. For the same price, you can get this bundle from Costco-

Anker 70W/30W Wall Charger Bundle

Anker 70W/30W Wall Charger Bundle

www.costco.com

It has a 30W adapter that’s much smaller, and a 4 port adapter that’s capable of 70W, plus 2 6ft braided cables. And you’ll have $9 leftover.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

This one makes sense. It replaces a 30W with a 40min-60max W at the same price point. Trent stock will run out and then I’m sure it will change

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

“40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max” has to be the most modern-Apple sounding name yet, and gives old school Microsoft a run for their money when it comes to bad product names. Yikes.



Not a squircle, as the sides have no roundness to them—just the edges. They are simply round rects, or in this case a rounded cuboid as it is 3D.

At least a little simpler like “40-60W dynamic power adapter” or something

 

[Cameront9]

I have duckhead chargers and cables going back 20 years to my Powerbook G4. Extension cable from my Powerbook works with my 2019 MBA. Wish they wouldn't discontinue them.

 

[zapmymac]

I’ll stick with Anker’s excellent Nano series. Surely Apple could have just made this a straight 60w if they would have added .01 microns more of something. Odd choice to make it have only a burst of 60w….

 

[SpotOnT]

I’ll stick with Anker’s excellent Nano series. Surely Apple could have just made this a straight 60w if they would have added .01 microns more of something. Odd choice to make it have only a burst of 60w….

Apple seems to be making a lot of odd choices recently. All their power adapters have switched from Japanese to Chinese capacitors as well. I doubt any of these USB-C adapters will last nearly as long as my old Apple 12W USB-A adapter from a decade ago.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

Apple this week stopped selling its 30W USB-C Power Adapter, despite its online store indicating that the charger is still included with the base 13-inch MacBook Air and the Apple Vision Pro. It is unclear why the adapter is no longer sold separately — strange!

Apple released the 30W USB-C Power Adapter in 2018. It was priced at $39 in the U.S., before being removed from Apple's online store.

In related news, Apple released a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max this week, in the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

The new charger can dynamically deliver up to 60W of power, despite having a smaller form factor. However, due to the thermal limitations that come with this compact design, the charger can only reach that 60W peak in shorter bursts.

Apple also sells a variety of other USB-C power adapters, including 20W, dual-port 35W (in two sizes), 70W, 96W, and 140W options.

Article Link: Apple No Longer Sells 30W Charger Still Included With Two Devices

The key words here are "smaller form factor" and up to 60w of power output, so I am suspecting Apple maybe finally updating their AC adapters from the old tech to GaN (Gallium Nitride) which are smaller, denser and pump out a lot more power. They should have done this years ago as GAN technology has been around for years. Living in hope.