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Charging MacBook from External Battery Pack

Dj64Mk7

Dj64Mk7

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 15, 2013
1,389
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I recently bought an external USB power bank that has two ports: 5 watts, and 10.5 watts. Using a USB-C to USB-A cable, would I be able to charge (or at least keep my MacBook powered on [not dead essentially]) by using either of those ports? Or is it only possible to do this using the 29 watt USB-C power adapter?
 
mastercraft813 said:
Yes, you can use the power bank. Obviously, using the 10.5W port is the smarter choice. I currently use a 15W external battery and it has been working very well.

Edit: I've been using this USB A to USB C adapter and I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00URK1V1U?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01
Click to expand...

Thank you. Do you have any other suggestions for USB-C accessories, such as docking stations or hubs, to name a few categories?
 
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mastercraft813 said:
I backed the Voltus Pro on Kickstarter a couple of months ago. It was originally supposed to ship in September but now it's been delayed 2-3 months so I can't exactly recommend it.
http://www.getvoltus.com
Click to expand...

Thanks, but no thanks. We're strapped for money right now. In the general realm of accessories and such (such as mice, keyboards, drives, etc., anything esp. wireless peripherals) is there anything you can safely recommend for less than or around $00?

I'm sorry for making this so complicated and hard. I will continue to do research on my own, too.
 
Like with any computer or electronic device, it depends on how you plan to use it. I recently began grad school so I bought the rMB mainly for its portability and screen. I take it with me to school and work but I don't use it very often at home. My "home-base" machine is a MBP that I have hooked up to two monitors, USB 3.0 hub, wireless mouse/keyboard, etc. If you're planning to use your rMB at home then you will want to consider other accessories. I did purchase the Apple HDMI dongle when I bought the rMB but I don't use it very often.
 
mastercraft813 said:
Like with any computer or electronic device, it depends on how you plan to use it. I recently began grad school so I bought the rMB mainly for its portability and screen. I take it with me to school and work but I don't use it very often at home. My "home-base" machine is a MBP that I have hooked up to two monitors, USB 3.0 hub, wireless mouse/keyboard, etc. If you're planning to use your rMB at home then you will want to consider other accessories. I did purchase the Apple HDMI dongle when I bought the rMB but I don't use it very often.
Click to expand...

I currently use an iPad (provided by the school district) for school work, but will begin using my MacBook once I order it and it arrives (I'm getting a grant from my state government.) The MacBook will be replacing the iPad as my main device (selling current MacBook Pro to be able to buy something else useful). Thus, I will be using it both at school AND at home. Could you help me work through some scenarios, as far as accessories and things go, please?
 
When I'm mobile I attempt to travel as lightly as possible. I carry rMB, external battery, and USB A to USB C cord. That's it. When I'm working in my home office on my MBP, I use several other devices because weight and size are not a limitation and I have a massive desk. I'm a true millennial and I must have at least two (preferably three) screens when I'm working in an office setting. I have two 24" external screens hooked up to my MBP which gives me the ability to use all three screens when I need (want) to. I have a USB 3.0 hub which gives me four additional USB ports. I typically have the following items plugged into the hub: Time Machine hard drive, other external hard drive, Lightning cable to my iPhone/iPad, and the tiny receiver for my Logitech mouse/keyboard combo. It all comes down to what you've used in the past and your personal preferences.
 
mastercraft813 said:
USB A to USB C cord.
Click to expand...

Is this so you can plug into your external battery?

---

I will be getting an Apple TV along with my MacBook, so I guess (in some ways) that could kinda take care of the second display part of things.

What hub do you use?

Also, I have a 2009 MacBook Pro that I was thinking about trading in to Apple or selling online to get some money for a Time Capsule or something better (suggestions?)
 
mastercraft813 said:
I backed the Voltus Pro on Kickstarter a couple of months ago. It was originally supposed to ship in September but now it's been delayed 2-3 months so I can't exactly recommend it.
http://www.getvoltus.com
Click to expand...

This looks great, but it looks like it won't ship until December-January 2016 best case scenario from what I have read from there kickstarter updates blog.

So does anyone have a current solution that allows you to be doing work and some charge getting in at same time? What external battery packs are people actually using with the rMB?
 
maclab said:
This looks great, but it looks like it won't ship until December-January 2016 best case scenario from what I have read from there kickstarter updates blog.

So does anyone have a current solution that allows you to be doing work and some charge getting in at same time? What external battery packs are people actually using with the rMB?
Click to expand...

I found this. It's not really a docking station, but it does have two USB-A 3.0 ports, plus a USB-C port for continual charging.

I would link to the power bank that I described in the OP, but I can't find it anywhere, and, considering that I don't actually have my MacBook yet, I can't 100% confirm that the bank would charge it.
 
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