Can 2018 13" MBP charge faster with 15" version power brick?

[Lennyvalentin]

I notice that Apple states the 13" MBP consumes 60W max in its tech specs, which the smaller power brick it is delivered with can provide. Would there be an improvement beyond that in recharge rate if one instead uses the bigger 80-whatever watt brick - has anyone tested that?

Thanks for any assistance!

 

[Brookzy]

When idling, no because the charging rate never gets close to 60W anyway. (You can verify with an app like coconutBattery.)

When under load, yes probably.

 

[jiangning]

I think the computer limits itself to 60W, so no.

 

[RobbieTT]

If you were charging from nearly empty whilst running the cpu continually at 100% then yes, the 87w charger in this extreme example would provide more charging power. This advantage is brief and soon reduces when the battery is at a higher state of charge though.

From about 30% state of charge my 13" battery is taking about 20w of power and that figure keeps on reducing. So much so that I frequently use an Anker 30w charger which is more than enough for day to day use and when charging from a low state the slightly slower charge can only be good for the battery. The extra power provided by the standard 60w brick is only really needed if you are powering other items from the MBP.

 

[Lennyvalentin]

Thanks peeps! I was thinking of buying a separate power brick to keep in my backpack for when on the move, so it's good to know spending for the larger brick (to keep at home) would be pointless.

 

[nvz]

I believe Apple has limited the maximum rate of charging to 1C.

My 15" MBP never charges faster then around 80 watts, less then 1C (80/83.6 Wh = 0.96C)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_charger#C-rates
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries

 

[RobbieTT]

Thanks peeps! I was thinking of buying a separate power brick to keep in my backpack for when on the move, so it's good to know spending for the larger brick (to keep at home) would be pointless.

I use the 60W Apple charger as my stay-at-home brick. The rest of the time I use the Anker PowerPort II with PD. It provides 30W on the USB-C and the standard USB port looks after everything else (up to 19W):

https://www.anker.com/products/variant/powerport-ii-with-power-delivery/A2321121

Here in the UK it is only £25.99:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07D36RZFT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[JohnnyGo]

I use the 60W Apple charger as my stay-at-home brick. The rest of the time I use the Anker PowerPort II with PD. It provides 30W on the USB-C and the standard USB port looks after everything else (up to 19W):

https://www.anker.com/products/variant/powerport-ii-with-power-delivery/A2321121

Here in the UK it is only £25.99:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07D36RZFT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

+1

Anker and Aukey have really lighter USBC PD chargers. They also might have extra ports. All perfect for traveling and charging on the go or overnight at hotel.

Aukey had one model that even charged my MBP but they no longer sells. Too light and too cheap.

https://www.aukey.com/products/amp-...y-foldable-plug-usb-c-or-dual-usb-ports-pa-y7

See review here

https://gtrusted.com/how-usb-power-...w-based-aukey-amp-duo-usb-type-c-wall-charger

 

[robvas]

Thanks peeps! I was thinking of buying a separate power brick to keep in my backpack for when on the move, so it's good to know spending for the larger brick (to keep at home) would be pointless.

Except that you heard the wrong information.

The larger power bricks charge faster. It's been like that forever with MacBook Pros. We just talked about this in another thread.

Here's my 2016 13" charging faster when I switch the power adapter to the 15" model. Look at how much steeper the line is in the graph (the green area is when it is charging)

However, Apple's own documents say this isn't the case:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201700

Power adapters for Mac notebooks are available in 29W, 30W, 45W, 60W, 61W, 85W, and 87W varieties. You should use the appropriate wattage power adapter for your Mac notebook. You can use a compatible higher wattage adapter without issue, but it won't make your computer charge faster or operate differently. Lower wattage adapters don't provide enough power.

But, I'm going with what I've seen with my own eyes.