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Charge from a desktop USB?

G

GrantMeThePower

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 12, 2011
114
0
Hi guys,

Can you charge the new Macbook from a computers' usb port (a to c cable)? I know they say you can charge from a portable battery pack, but what about from my imac or mac mini?
 
Pefect forum ID for this question. ;) The collective belief is that you'll get a trickle charge from a 5.2v USB port, enough to slowly charge if the rMB is off, but not enough to charge if you'r using it. The Apple AC adapter is 29W at 14.5V.
 
I honestly don't know enough about the thunderbolt display so excuse me if a stupid question. I know it USB ports don't charge at 29W or anything but would it charge the rMB faster than a normal 5v say for topping off a charge
 
willydimes said:
I honestly don't know enough about the thunderbolt display so excuse me if a stupid question. I know it USB ports don't charge at 29W or anything but would it charge the rMB faster than a normal 5v say for topping off a charge
Click to expand...

- Probably not. I don't know what your intended use is, but just be aware that you can't use the Thunderbolt Display with a Retina MacBook, since it lacks a Thunderbolt port.
 
JTToft said:
- Probably not. I don't know what your intended use is, but just be aware that you can't use the Thunderbolt Display with a Retina MacBook, since it lacks a Thunderbolt port.
Click to expand...

Yea I know, I was saying use the USB port to charge
 
GrantMeThePower said:
Hi guys,

Can you charge the new Macbook from a computers' usb port (a to c cable)? I know they say you can charge from a portable battery pack, but what about from my imac or mac mini?
Click to expand...

I'm very glad you brought this up, because I never thought about this, but was curious, so I went ahead and tried this. I had already bought a usb cable (c<->a) from google, and I don't actually have a desktop, but I do have a MacBook Air.

My rMB was at 85% when I tested this; the MacBook Air was at 99% battery (although having it plugged in would be the same thing, since it will draw power from somewhere). After plugging it in, it said that it would take 2:21 until it was fully charged.

So, to answer your question, yes, you can charge the new Macbook from a computers' usb port.
 
it's only a matter of time until there are usb power banks that support usb 3.1 / type-c for some high watt charging. an 18,000 mAH bank would potentially give you 36 hours of total laptop screen time. (could be a hair less given the mAH rating is usually of the battery inside, not accounting for voltage drop and power lost at the dc to dc converter)

but still, this is a big deal. i hate how people got all butt-hurt about it only having one port but are missing the point on how awesome it is. i think they should've included ONE dongle... a splitter. one for charging, and the other to use while you're charging. that would be plenty for me and most users.

need to print? airprint. need to move a file? airdrop. or cloud drive. or home network share. i never used the usb ports on my 15" retina. only time i recall using it was to install windows because it forced me to use a thumb drive
 
fatefulwhisper said:
My rMB was at 85% when I tested this; the MacBook Air was at 99% battery (although having it plugged in would be the same thing, since it will draw power from somewhere). After plugging it in, it said that it would take 2:21 until it was fully charged.

So, to answer your question, yes, you can charge the new Macbook from a computers' usb port.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the answer is "yes you can...but it's really slow!" haha

Thanks guys!
 
GrantMeThePower said:
Sounds like the answer is "yes you can...but it's really slow!" haha

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

Just a thought: You could use a Y-cable to speed up the time a bit. Something like this:

Y%20Cable-2.jpg
 
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