Apple's New 16-Inch MacBook Pro Charger Has a Compatibility Issue

[DogHouseDub]

Get out the iDremel

 

[PBG4 Dude]

So glad to have the world travel adapter kit. That was a life saver!
It was lying on the shelf and I bought it at a whim.

I have one as well. Didn’t know it was discontinued until now.

 

[goobot]

This plug has been the same for like 20 years and watch people here scream bloody murder about “planned obsolescence” 😂

Meanwhile the change was a change for no reason other than just cause

 

[TokyoKiller]

I am not an electrician, is there any benefit to this change?

 

[jarman92]

Meanwhile the change was a change for no reason other than just cause

Judging by various posts in this thread it’s debatable whether there was a change at all. Apple generally doesn’t make changes “just cause” and there’s no discernible profit motive here, so stands to reason that there’s more to the story.

 

[t0rqx]

Only Apple would redesign something just to f*** with its customers. Such an ***hole move.

Like all the minor improvements in an iPhone that allegedly need the next gen A chip to perform?

Like camera bokeh improvements ?
Like battery charging limiter?
Like Apple Intelligence?
Like Stagemanager?

 

[Parowdy]

Steve Jobs would never

Neither would he have the Windows color scheme as his profile picture, slowly making people believe Microsoft is a real company.

 

[FoxyKaye]

The old form is also a standard, and any 2-prong cable will fit in there - like if you have one from a PS2, you can use it with this adapter.

The new one isn't a standard that I've ever seen before.

100% Agreed - this is totally bad form on Apple's part. Would Mother Nature approve?

 

[johnrlaporta]

Odd. I ordered my 16” MBP with 140 watt on day one, and also specified extension on the order in addition. Mine is the normal one:

 

[Saturn1217]

I know in the grand scheme of things this seems small, but this REALLY sucks. I save all of my old power extension adapters and the smaller wall adapters. It is really helpful that across a wide range of apple chargets that plug part always works and you can mix and match them. (I have mix and matched between an old iPad charger and macbook chargers). Apple is no longer including these things with the computer. I THOUGHT the rationale there was "everyone already has all these adapters and cables". But now they are also making new power bricks incompatible with old extension cables, so clearly that was a LIE.

Thank you MacRumors for at least keeping us informed.

 

[enricoclaudio]

My 16” MBP M5 Pro came with the standard (old/normal) 140 watts charger. I’m in the USA and purchased mine from Best Buy on release day.

 

[Scipster]

When did Apple discontinue the world travel adapter kit? Is this a sign of things to come?

 

[BillyJoeJimBob]

Of course it's incompatible. 🤣🙄

 

[transpo1]

So stupid when Apple tweaks things that don’t need to be tweaked. Same phenomenon where they change the shape of the iPhone slightly every year to sell more cases. In this instance, just seems like a n ignorant, bone-headed move by somebody.

😒 this is why I don’t have confidence in Tim anymore. Too many missteps in a short amount of time iOS 26 being his worst.

And why are we blaming Tim Cook? John Ternus does hardware right? If he’s as great as everyone says why are things like this happening.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Tim Cook supporters would be happy if Cook decided to greedily remove chargers from the box and charge extra money for them, just like he did with iPhones.

Already happening

Apple Does Not Include a Charger With All New MacBooks in UK and EU

None of the new MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro models unveiled this week come with a charger in the UK and EU countries, such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. This change began with the base 14-inch MacBook Pro last year. If you need a power adapter, you must purchase one...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Killa78]

This plug has been the same for like 20 years and watch people here scream bloody murder about “planned obsolescence” 😂

"If it ain't broke..."

 

[johnrlaporta]

Already happening

Apple Does Not Include a Charger With All New MacBooks in UK and EU

None of the new MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro models unveiled this week come with a charger in the UK and EU countries, such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. This change began with the base 14-inch MacBook Pro last year. If you need a power adapter, you must purchase one...

www.macrumors.com

I believe that was more or less a big middle finger to the EU for imposing all this “e-waste limitation” nonsense into law.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

I believe that was more or less a big middle finger to the EU for imposing all this “e-waste limitation” nonsense into law.

It's a big middle finger to their customers.

 

[indiekiduk]

I believe that was more or less a big middle finger to the EU for imposing all this “e-waste limitation” nonsense into law.

This is what I was told.

 

[Adult80HD]

Uhh, I got the 16" M5 Max with the 140W power supply at launch and it's the normal one and I'm using the same cord I've used for almost 20 years. Either this is BS or just limited to the two countries where MacRumors says reports have come from.

 

[jarman92]

I believe that was more or less a big middle finger to the EU for imposing all this “e-waste limitation” nonsense into law.

No, it's literally EU law that manufacturers can't include chargers in the box.

 

[timonz]

In NZ apple store the 96W power brick page shows "You may also like" the power extension cable but the 140W one does not. The metal securing pin looks taller so possibly the socket needed a redesign to accommodate that.

https://www.apple.com/nz/shop/product/mw2l3x/a/96w-usb-c-power-adapter

140W USB-C Power Adapter

The 140W USB-C Power Adapter offers quick, efficient charging at home, in the office or on the go for your 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021 or later).

www.apple.com

 

[johnrlaporta]

No, it's literally EU law that manufacturers can't include chargers in the box.

That’s what I was referring to…the reduction stuff. There’s a way around it I believe, but Apple chose to go with the “path of least resistance.”

 

[Kelly the Dude]

This plug has been the same for like 20 years and watch people here scream bloody murder about “planned obsolescence” 😂

I have dozens of these cables and I think the oldest one might close to 23 years old. 😂

 

[kemal]

I am not an electrician, is there any benefit to this change?

The old connector allowed the use of un-grounded plugs. Using a new design can force the use of grounded plugs. Not saying this is what they are doing, but I am an EE.