Apple Replaces 29W USB-C Power Adapter With New 30W Version

[BWhaler]

Serious question (although I've been enjoying the funny responses...)

Anyone else have charging problems with the iPad Pro and the 29W USB-C charger? I find at times it just doesn't charge and I have to either re-plug in the cable or reboot the iPad.

I always thought it was an iOS 11 issue since the problems started around the time I upgraded to iOS 11, which was a pretty sloppy iOS.

But now I'm wondering if there was a hardware issue. Why else would apple release a new one? Just for 1 more watt? My guess is they fixed something and went up one watt to differentiate. Apple doesn't like recalls... (keyboards, I'm looking at you...)

Thoughts?

 

[KPOM]

Apple today quietly discontinued and replaced its 29W USB-C Power adapter with a new revised USB-C Power Adapter that offers 30W.

The 30W USB-C Power Adapter that's replacing the 29W version is designed for the 12-inch MacBook. It's also commonly used as an option for those who want faster charging for compatible iPhones and iPads that support fast USB-C charging speeds.

It is not clear why Apple replaced the 29W Power Adapter with the new 30W Power Adapter, but the pricing remains the same at $49. The new accessory is not yet in Apple Stores, but can be ordered today for Wednesday delivery.

Apple has not tweaked its other USB-C Power Adapters designed for the MacBook Pro lineup, with those accessories continuing to be available in 61W and 85W options for 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, respectively.

Article Link: Apple Replaces 29W USB-C Power Adapter With New 30W Version

It is to conform to USB-PD requirements. 29W was grandfathered in, but 30W is the standard.

 

[newellj]

You heard of this thing, the 29W Adapter?

Yeah, this is going to blow that right out of the water. Listen to this: 30. Watt Adapter.

Think about it. You walk into an Apple store, you see 29W Adapter sittin' there, there's 30W Adapter right beside it. Which one are you gonna pick, man?

You will never, ever find them side by side at the Apple Store. Best Buy, maybe.
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It is to conform to USB-PD requirements. 29W was grandfathered in, but 30W is the standard.

I was going to make a joke about being required to comply with the GDPR, but you sound serious - are you? EDIT - I googled that and it looks like you're right. I wonder if Apple just recertified the existing hardware, or whether it need some internal redesign, however minimal?

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I heard that if you recently bought the 29W adapter, that Apple will send you the other 1W for free.

This is not true, they will tell you that it's all the same, just a rounding issue.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

No! No, no, not 31! I said 30. Nobody's comin' up with 31. Who charges with 31 watts?

Losers still stuck there when the 32-watt charger is rolled out.

 

[nynohu]

would 1W make any diff with fast charging iphone x

Nope. In fact, fast charging on IPX is 18W maximum, so although if you use MBP charger, the result will not be changed.

 

[crw]

No! No, no, not 31! I said 30. Nobody's comin' up with 31. Who charges with 31 watts?

It's like your talking Gorgonzola when it's clearly Brie time baby!

 

[brucebrendon]

Watt?

 

[FelixDerKater]

Enough for that mat? A watch, a phone, and earbuds.

 

[turbineseaplane]

"We're excited to see what people do with it..."

 

[shurcooL]

Do we have any evidence this is an actually different physical device, or did they just decide to rename/rebrand the old 29W adapter as a 30W one, because it’s a more round and pleasant number?

 

[masotime]

Ignoring all the ridiculously snide Apple-bashing comments about "innovative hardware", this was probably done to better conform to the USB-C Power Delivery standards. 30W = 15V x 2A, as opposed to 14.5V x 2A - this is in line with other third party USB-C Power delivery devices.

The power rules introduced in USB PD 2.0 stipulate multiple normative voltages and current, to promote smoother power delivery and consumption among devices. The rules also established five supportable power-supply levels—15W, 27W, 45W, 60W, and 100W—with normative voltage and current determined by the power supply to be supported. For example, a provider capable of 15W must support 5V, 3A; while a provider of 45W must support all the following: 5V 3A; 9V 3A; and 15V 3A. Please note that the main concern of USB PD is power specifications, and can coexist with any relevant USB data communication standard (such as USB 3.1).

The idea is to have standardized voltage levels, while keeping current low and variable depending on the power delivery requirements.

 

[macintoshmac]

Mine is in warranty. Charger replacement program should be in the works soon.
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would 1W make any diff with fast charging iphone x

It will. Just watch when people get their hands on it.

 

[newellj]

Ignoring all the ridiculously snide Apple-bashing comments about "innovative hardware", this was probably done to better conform to the USB-C Power Delivery standards. 30W = 15V x 2A, as opposed to 14.5V x 2A - this is in line with other third party USB-C Power delivery devices.



The idea is to have standardized voltage levels, while keeping current low and variable depending on the power delivery requirements.

I agree, although in the case of a power adapter with a single output, it seems less than compelling? I spent some time googling this last night. There's a lot of semi-interesting material on adapters with multiple outputs. I didn't find anything that seemed really applicable to this specific case.

As I said above and someone else posted, I do wonder whether this is actually new hardware or just a re-certified, re-labled version of the prior piece. (I don't mean that cynically.)

 

[masotime]

I agree, although in the case of a power adapter with a single output, it seems less than compelling? I spent some time googling this last night. There's a lot of semi-interesting material on adapters with multiple outputs. I didn't find anything that seemed really applicable to this specific case.

As I said above and someone else posted, I do wonder whether this is actually new hardware or just a re-certified, re-labled version of the prior piece. (I don't mean that cynically.)

I don't understand - most of Apple's adapters are single output. The original article mentions that the change was "quiet" - why would you expect it to be "compelling"?

As to whether it has internal changes, it's possible. The original 29W adapter has no labels for a 9V output, which is what the iPhone "fast charging" uses (9V x 2A = 18W) so it's possible that additional electronics were made to allow it to officially support 9V output.

As a consumer you probably shouldn't worry too much about the differences. If the differences were really significant enough to e.g. cause safety issues, Apple would have released a recall rather than a silent update.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Ignoring all the ridiculously snide Apple-bashing comments about "innovative hardware", this was probably done to better conform to the USB-C Power Delivery standards. 30W = 15V x 2A, as opposed to 14.5V x 2A - this is in line with other third party USB-C Power delivery devices.



The idea is to have standardized voltage levels, while keeping current low and variable depending on the power delivery requirements.

Did you buy one to test yet

 

[masotime]

Did you buy one to test yet

Not yet well I might visit the Apple store to see if they have one on display. The label at least should be useful, as it should show exactly what changed specification wise.

 

[Vjosullivan]

Is this a trick question?

Is this a rhetorical answer?

 

[BorderingOn]

No! No, no, not 31! I said 30. Nobody's comin' up with 31. Who charges with 31 watts?

Those of us who only charge in prime numbers?

 

[Vjosullivan]

Losers still stuck there when the 32-watt charger is rolled out.

32 watt charging is about to be deprecated. Apple have mandated that everything new must be capable of consuming 64 watts.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Not until we’ve piled up many of them 32w units first. THEN deprecate.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Ignoring all the ridiculously snide Apple-bashing comments about "innovative hardware", this was probably done to better conform to the USB-C Power Delivery standards. 30W = 15V x 2A, as opposed to 14.5V x 2A - this is in line with other third party USB-C Power delivery devices.



The idea is to have standardized voltage levels, while keeping current low and variable depending on the power delivery requirements.

Any idea on how the Apple 29w charger will interact with non-Apple laptops that can charge via USB-C? I will be picking up the new Surface Go tomorrow, and plan on charging it with my 29w chargers I have around the house.

 

[VictorTango777]

You heard of this thing, the 29W Adapter?

Yeah, this is going to blow that right out of the water. Listen to this: 30. Watt Adapter.

Think about it. You walk into an Apple store, you see 29W Adapter sittin' there, there's 30W Adapter right beside it. Which one are you gonna pick, man?

I always thought it was confusing and redundant that Apple sells all those different wattage power adapters for their laptops: 13 inch includes one adapter, 15 inch includes a different adapter even though they use the same connector and the difference in adapter size is negligible. Having all these different adapters complicates inventory management and wastes space on store shelves. I'm curious why a supply chain manager or COO has not tried to unify the power adapters for all Mac laptops that use the same connector.

On the other hand, it seems that there are people who think that using a higher wattage adapter would make the laptop use more power, as if the laptop is wired directly into the main utility lines and force fed all the power coming from the electric company.

 

[FFR]

I always thought it was confusing and redundant that Apple sells all those different wattage power adapters for their laptops: 13 inch includes one adapter, 15 inch includes a different adapter even though they use the same connector and the difference in adapter size is negligible. Having all these different adapters complicates inventory management and wastes space on store shelves. I'm curious why a supply chain manager or COO has not tried to unify the power adapters for all Mac laptops that use the same connector.

On the other hand, it seems that there are people who think that using a higher wattage adapter would make the laptop use more power, as if the laptop is wired directly into the main utility lines and force fed all the power coming from the electric company.

They are all different sizes.

 

[masotime]

Any idea on how the Apple 29w charger will interact with non-Apple laptops that can charge via USB-C? I will be picking up the new Surface Go tomorrow, and plan on charging it with my 29w chargers I have around the house.

Hard to say. Best case scenario is that it picks up a 15V signal but delivers 14.5V instead, so just slightly less power. The Surface Go is a new product - if you can, post the electrical specs on the charger that it comes with. If it supports a 15V profile then it's a fair chance the 29W charger will be able to charge it reasonably well.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Hard to say. Best case scenario is that it picks up a 15V signal but delivers 14.5V instead, so just slightly less power. The Surface Go is a new product - if you can, post the electrical specs on the charger that it comes with. If it supports a 15V profile then it's a fair chance the 29W charger will be able to charge it reasonably well.

Will do! I can also measure power draw.