Charging Devices from M2 Air

[raythompsontn]

I am traveling and only brought one charger with me. The Anker charger is using the MagSafe cable to charge the MacBook. I am connecting my iPhone and Watch to the MacBook using USB-C cables and occupying both USB-C ports on the M2. Seems to work quite well. The charger is a single Anker Nano 715 65W charger. I like to travel light and having a small single charger helps in the regard. So far every device has charged overnight without issue.

 

[jdb8167]

I am traveling and only brought one charger with me. The Anker charger is using the MagSafe cable to charge the MacBook. I am connecting my iPhone and Watch to the MacBook using USB-C cables and occupying both USB-C ports on the M2. Seems to work quite well. The charger is a single Anker Nano 715 65W charger. I like to travel light and having a small single charger helps in the regard. So far every device has charged overnight without issue.

I made a mistake last week at work. I needed my iPad mini to test a web application at work so I needed the remote Safari console you can get between a iOS device and a Mac when plugged in with a cable. It never occurred to me that my fully charged iPad mini would still be drawing power from my M2 MacBook Air.

The problem is that I never carry a power adapter when I bring my M2 MBA to work. I’ve never needed to charge and I leave work usually with over 50% battery remaining. On days that I use software that stresses the battery a bit more I still have 40% left. Not this time. I got a battery warning with about 7% remaining at 3:30 pm. Oops. Most of my coworkers are using company supplied Windows laptops so no easy way to get a USB-C charger either. Luckily I could borrow one from another contractor who just happened to be in the office that day with his MBP.

The upshot is that the M2 MacBook Air has incredible battery life as long as you don’t have to charge an external device. If you plan on connecting an iPad to your MBA, use a power adapter.

 

[raythompsontn]

the M2 MacBook Air has incredible battery life as long as you don’t have to charge an external device

What also surprised me is that a Samsung 1 TB SSD connected to the USB-C port significantly impacts battery life. That external SSD is always drawing power, probably more than that M2 Air. My battery drained in 8 hours with the SSD connected and the lid on the M2 Air closed for the night.

I now carry a small Anker USB-C charger and an extra MagSafe cable. That is not a lot of bulk and can keep a day from being less than optimal.

Most of my coworkers are using company supplied Windows laptops so no easy way to get a USB-C charger either

I wish Apple would make a USB-A to MagSafe cable. That would open up a lot of charging opportunities. Some restaurants and fast food places have USB-A charging ports. Airlines and some mass transit have USB-A charging ports but no USB-C. A USB-A to MagSafe cable would be a great option.

 

[ignatius345]

I am traveling and only brought one charger with me. The Anker charger is using the MagSafe cable to charge the MacBook. I am connecting my iPhone and Watch to the MacBook using USB-C cables and occupying both USB-C ports on the M2. Seems to work quite well.

I've done this a lot. Great way to carry a minimum of cables and also only use one outlet. I have a feeling it's not as fast as using a charger directly, but if it's overnight that doesn't matter at all.

 

[teh_hunterer]

I believe (could be wrong) that the Thunderbolt ports are capable of outputting 15w. I read somewhere that it's 15w for the first port you plug something into, then 5w for each subsequent port that you plug something into.

I personally carry a dual port 65w GaN charger. 65w on either port, or 45w on the top one and 20w on the bottom one if you have two things plugged in. I use the MagSafe duo, so one port charges the watch and phone, and the other powers the MacBook Pro or iPad Pro I've got with me. 45w will even charge a 14" MacBook Pro somewhat respectably.

But I've used the same kind of setup as OP in the past and it's quite useful for minimalist travel.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

I posted this in another thread, but I was pleasantly surprised by how little power the M2 MBA draws during regular use, and so how much power can be dedicated to charging attached devices. I was able to charge both my running MBA and the iPhone 13 Pro plugged into it, using an 18 watt USB-C battery bank plugged into the MBA.