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

[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.

I can confirm the Surface Go changer is 15V/1.6A, so 24watts. I tried charging with both the 29w/61w Apple USB-C bricks, and can confirm they pull ~22w.

 

[bruinsrme]

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 87W options for 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, respectively.

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

Available in a few stores today

 

[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.

I saw one of these today in person. Specs on the brick read as:

USB-PD 20V/1.5A or 15V/2A or 9V/3A or 5V/3A

 

[masotime]

I saw one of these today in person. Specs on the brick read as:

USB-PD 20V/1.5A or 15V/2A or 9V/3A or 5V/3A

That’s awesome! Thanks for checking that out. It looks like there are at least 2 substantial changes:

• 15V instead of 14.5V
• Support for 20V charging

In addition I see it officially supports 9V as well (the older model didn’t have 9V listed, although I suspect it does 9V as well) which is probably for iPhone charging. Thanks for passing that along

 

[BeatCrazy]

That’s awesome! Thanks for checking that out. It looks like there are at least 2 substantial changes:

• 15V instead of 14.5V
• Support for 20V charging

In addition I see it officially supports 9V as well (the older model didn’t have 9V listed, although I suspect it does 9V as well) which is probably for iPhone charging. Thanks for passing that along

You probably saw, Apple is including a new version of the 61w USB-C charger with the 13" 2018 MacBook Pro. Wonder what the differences are, related to USB-C PD?

(Step 11)
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Touch+Bar+2018+Teardown/111384

 

[masotime]

You probably saw, Apple is including a new version of the 61w USB-C charger with the 13" 2018 MacBook Pro. Wonder what the differences are, related to USB-C PD?

(Step 11)
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Touch+Bar+2018+Teardown/111384

Macotakara - http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/archives/001/201807/large-5b4c109638446.jpg - has a nice shot of the electrical specifications of the newer A1947, which are

• 20.3V / 3A
• 15V / 3A
• 9V / 3A
• 5.2V / 3A

In contrast, I found a photo of the older A1718 at https://lygte-info.dk/pic/USB PS/163 Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter/DSC_8352a.jpg with the following specs:

• 20.3V / 3A
• 9V / 3A
• 5.2V / 2.4A

So it looks like the newer 61W charger can now charge the iPad Pros at 30W! This is great news indeed.

I think in general all Apple USB-C power adapters now have better interoperability across iPad Pros and MacBook Pros

 

[BeatCrazy]

Macotakara - http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/archives/001/201807/large-5b4c109638446.jpg - has a nice shot of the electrical specifications of the newer A1947, which are

• 20.3V / 3A
• 15V / 3A
• 9V / 3A
• 5.2V / 3A

In contrast, I found a photo of the older A1718 at https://lygte-info.dk/pic/USB PS/163 Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter/DSC_8352a.jpg with the following specs:

• 20.3V / 3A
• 9V / 3A
• 5.2V / 2.4A

So it looks like the newer 61W charger can now charge the iPad Pros at 30W! This is great news indeed.

I think in general all Apple USB-C power adapters now have better interoperability across iPad Pros and MacBook Pros

Nice. I have the original 61W charger, and it does charge the 12" MacBook @ 30watts. I can't remember how it charges the iPad Pros? I'll test out tonight.

EDIT: here's a good summary from @m0dest
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/use-apple-87w-charger-with-macbook.2040394/#post-24482166

 

[butterburger cookybutter]

You probably saw, Apple is including a new version of the 61w USB-C charger with the 13" 2018 MacBook Pro. Wonder what the differences are, related to USB-C PD?

Old "61W USB-C Power Adapter" (model number A1718, catalog number MNF72) is weird and not compliant, like "29W USB Type-C Power Adapter" (A1540 MJ262). New "61W USB-C Power Adapter" (model A1947) is closer to fully compliant.

"The new 61W" power supply has four power levels: 20.3V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 5.2V⎓3A. There are two differences between old and new. "Original 61W" lacks 15 volt output, and it reports 5.2V output current 2.4A max. (Apple has no good reason to limit current 2.4A @5V. It is their stubborn adherence to their nominal 12W power level.)

Information from Macotakara Macお宝鑑定団 blog（羅針盤）: 'MacBook Pro (2018) をチェック'.

I would like to know order/catalogue number of "the new 61W". If you know it, then please post it.

edit add: I am slow, I began composing this post, before masotime posted.

edit add: I would like to know model number of subject, "30W USB-C Power Adapter". Its order number is MR2A2.

 

[masotime]

Nice. I have the original 61W charger, and it does charge the 12" MacBook @ 30watts. I can't remember how it charges the iPad Pros? I'll test out tonight.

EDIT: here's a good summary from @m0dest
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/use-apple-87w-charger-with-macbook.2040394/#post-24482166

Ah yes, makes sense that the 12" would use the 20V level. Regardless, I think everyone should switch to the newer adapters if they can afford it - it's far more spec compliant (thankfully). Looking forward to a uniformly USB-C compliant world.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

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.

The difference in adapter size and weight is not necessarily negligible, especially for gear people carry around. If a device has a larger battery either you boost the charger capacity or use a smaller charger and extend the charging time (all other things being equal). Further, the higher the power capacity, the higher the price has to be to cover materials and shipping cost, larger occupied warehouse/stockroom space, etc.

All these variables affect customer satisfaction. "I got a lighter/smaller laptop to make it easier to carry around. Why should I carry around this whopping big charger?" "My Mac came with a 61w charger that cost $69 to replace. Now they've discontinued the $69 charger and made me buy the 87w charger for $10 more!!! Greedy, greedy Apple!" "Why does my 15" laptop come with a puny 61w charger? Last year they came with 87w chargers, which charged faster! Greedy, greedy Apple!"

A few extra SKUs is not necessarily a crime.

 

[PaulNightLong]

Does anyone have a problem with their 29 watt charger discharging the 1st gen iPad Pro?

I’ve had my iPad replaced once but still remains the same issue.

Could this 1 watt change solve it?

 

[jsutcliffe]

I've had two *2m* USB-C-Lightning cables mysteriously stop working for me with the 29W brick I have. This seems really suspicious to me. I highlight 2m only because it's a $35 cable in the US. Apple replaced both for me, but it has me wondering if there is a high failure rate for USB-C--Lightning cables plugged into this adapter?

Jim
p.s. haven't read all comments yet, if this has been raised...