Charging MacBook Pro M3 Max

[Ambrosia7177]

Last night while browsing Apple's online store I discovered that apparently you can charge a MacBook Pro M3 Max using just a USB-C cable.

Is that correct?

If so, why would you want to use the MagSafe cable versus a USB-C cable?

 

[chrfr]

Last night while browsing Apple's online store I discovered that apparently you can charge a MacBook Pro M3 Max using just a USB-C cable.

Is that correct?

If so, why would you want to use the MagSafe cable versus a USB-C cable?

Yes you can charge the Mac with a USB-C cable. The MagSafe port will easily detach if you trip over the power cord, preventing damage, and the MagSafe port doesn't tie up any of the ports you might use to connect peripherals. MagSafe can also charge at higher power than the USB-C port can.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Absolutely. USB-C is nice if you have a display that also charges the Mac; when I hook my MBP to my LG 5k I don't also need a MagSafe cord (or charger) on that desk.

But I do use MagSafe when traveling; it's safer (hmm - wonder if that's why it's called magSAFE? 😉).

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Yes you can charge the Mac with a USB-C cable.

Do I need a special USB-C cable to charge my MBP?

The MagSafe port will easily detach if you trip over the power cord, preventing damage,

Good point.

and the MagSafe port doesn't tie up any of the ports you might use to connect peripherals.

Okay.

MagSafe can also charge at higher power than the USB-C port can.

So how much quicker would my MBP M3 Max charge up from say 1% to 100% using the MagSafe cable (and 96w charger) versus using a USB-C cable (and the same 96w charger)?

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Absolutely. USB-C is nice if you have a display that also charges the Mac; when I hook my MBP to my LG 5k I don't also need a MagSafe cord (or charger) on that desk.

But I do use MagSafe when traveling; it's safer (hmm - wonder if that's why it's called magSAFE? 😉).

Well, ironically this whole thing started kind of revolving around traveling...

You see, after work, I often pull over into a parking lot to work on my laptop, and I am slightly annoyed with the 3 ft MagSafe cable because - even though I have it tied up in a loop - seems a little excessive.

So last night, I went to the Apple store and was hoping maybe they sold a 1 ft MagSafe cable - no such luck - and as I was browsing through "compatible" cables, I kept seeing USB-C to USB-C cables, and then a light went off.

This leads me to my ultimate questions...

1.) How would my charging experience vary between the MagSafe cable and any regular USB-C cable?

2.) How would my charging experience vary between the MagSafe cable and some high-end USB-C charging cable?

3.) Could I charge my MBP M3 Max using a USB-C cable plugged into cigarette lighter adapter in my car?

3b.) Would it take forever to charge up my MBP M3 Max that way?

4.) What if instead I plugged a USB-C cable into my 95w charger which in turn was plugged into a power inverter into my cigarette lighter in my car?

5.) Could I charge my MBP M3 Max buy plugging a USB-C cable into a small power bank which has USB-C ports?

 

[chrono1081]

Last night while browsing Apple's online store I discovered that apparently you can charge a MacBook Pro M3 Max using just a USB-C cable.

Is that correct?

If so, why would you want to use the MagSafe cable versus a USB-C cable?

Yes that's correct. If you have a studio display that's how it connects + charges to the MacBooks.

If I was ONLY using the laptop by itself I would 100% use the MagSafe because you never know when someone will trip over a charging cord. MagSafe keeps the computer safe by detaching the cable easily so the computer doesn't get pulled to the floor.