Higher-End 13-Inch MacBook Pro Models Can Use an 87-Watt Power Adapter, but Won't Charge Any Faster

[MacRumors]

Higher-end models of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro unveiled this week are able to take some advantage of higher-wattage power adapters, as revealed in regulatory labels for the new machines.

Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro models have shipped with a 61-watt USB-C power adapter since 2016, with the machines typically rated to draw at that maximum of 20.3 volts and 3 amps. You've long been able to safely use higher-wattage power adapters, but the maximum power draw remains capped by the machine itself, so it won't charge any faster.

For the first time, the higher-end 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro models with 10th-generation Intel processors carry a dual power rating of 20.3V/3.0A and 20.2V/4.3A, meaning that these models can also accept Apple's 87-watt power adapter that previously shipped with the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Many other Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C accessories like docks and displays can also deliver 87 watts to connected computers.

The lower-end MacBook Pro configurations with 8th-generation processors remain rated for 61 watts, and all models ship with a 61-watt power adapter.

While it's reasonable to think that the higher-end MacBook Pro models might be able to charge more quickly using an 87-watt adapter than they do with the 61-watt adapter they ship with, sources tell MacRumors that this isn't the case. The maximum charging speed configured on the machine remains the same, so you won't see any difference.

Where users might be able to see a bit of benefit with a higher-wattage adapter is for those running demanding apps that generate high transient workloads. Under these situations, there's a bit more headroom for an 87-watt adapter to deliver additional power to the machine. Still, the vast majority of users won't be bumping against the limits of the included 61-watt adapter, especially on a frequent basis, so those users won't see any benefit.

So while the change won't have a real-world impact on anyone but a few professional-level users regularly maxing out the capabilities of their machines, those who are curious about the new power ratings stamped on the bottom of their machines at least have an explanation.

Article Link: Higher-End 13-Inch MacBook Pro Models Can Use an 87-Watt Power Adapter, but Won't Charge Any Faster

 

[teknikal90]

The cpu has a TDP of 28w. say with turbo boost that gets it up to 35w. in what scenario could anyone really go beyond 61w on a 13" MBP?

 

[Tekguy0]

Even if you could take advantage of a higher wattage charger, it probably wouldn't be good for the battery long term.

 

[konqerror]

It has to to with the extra USB ports, as I understand it. Each USB port on a Mac can source 10 W, so 2 more ports means 20 W more potentially being drawn to supply external devices.

 

[farewelwilliams]

The cpu has a TDP of 28w. say with turbo boost that gets it up to 35w. in what scenario could anyone really go beyond 61w on a 13" MBP?

Display? Power to USB-C devices? Backlight on keyboard? Touchbar? Flash storage?

TDP from my understanding deals with the CPU's direct cooling design and nothing else about the product.

 

[teknikal90]

Display? Fans? Power to USB-C devices? Backlight on keyboard? Touchbar?

have you seen that happen in real life? exceeding 61w?

 

[SDJim]

It has to to with the extra USB ports, as I understand it. Each USB port on a Mac can source 10 W, so 2 more ports means 20 W more potentially being drawn to supply external devices.

I don't know about the numbers you gave, but I agree that I would like some information as to what effect this has on powering peripherals. Since the machine is physically able to accept the higher wattage, even though the battery won't consume it, can it pass it through to external monitors, audio equipment, etc?

 

[casperes1996]

The cpu has a TDP of 28w. say with turbo boost that gets it up to 35w. in what scenario could anyone really go beyond 61w on a 13" MBP?

As someone else pointed out, there's more than just the CPU, but let's even leave that aside.
Let's say that with all components accounted for, we're running at 55W. A figured I've entirely plucked out me arse.
That is within 61W, yes... But now you're spending 55 of those 61W on just running the computer, leaving only 6W for charging the battery. With a beefier charger you might be able to charge the battery at the same speed you would've charged it with the computer being idle.

 

[konqerror]

have you seen that happen in real life? exceeding 61w?

It stars draining the battery. You can easily see this by using an undersized charger. There's also a system power limit, after which the CPU and GPU will throttle.

The power systems of most laptops are actually undersized; most users never draw full capacity for an extended time.

 

[sublunar]

It stars draining the battery. You can easily see this by using an undersized charger. There's also a system power limit, after which the CPU and GPU will throttle.

The power systems of most laptops are actually undersized; most users never draw full capacity for an extended time.

Some iterations of the MacBook Pro 15" drained the battery slowly when running at full tilt with the GPU being caned.

 

[Blackstick]

Same reason I often charge my Nintendo Switch with my 61W brick but it charges at the same speed it always does.

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

Apple does it right when it comes to hardware stability. unlike Microsoft, it took them two years to realize surface book 2 15-inch needs more than the charger capacity that comes with it leading to battery and power being consumed.

 

[totom_]

The cpu has a TDP of 28w. say with turbo boost that gets it up to 35w. in what scenario could anyone really go beyond 61w on a 13" MBP?

Even the 2019 MBP13 was able to draw over 60w for short bursts, see here in the energy management section.

Apple MacBook Pro 13 2019 laptop review: Good performance, but no real innovation

Notebookcheck reviews the 2019 Apple MacBook Pro 13 with 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports, an updated processor and a modified keyboard.

www.notebookcheck.net

I suppose it won’t be much different with the Ice Lake CPUs, but we’ll know soon.

 

[farewelwilliams]

have you seen that happen in real life? exceeding 61w?

haven't. i don't have a MBP 13"

 

[jezbd1997]

Even if you could take advantage of a higher wattage charger, it probably wouldn't be good for the battery long term.

Read the article again. It’s not about the battery
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Same reason I often charge my Nintendo Switch with my 61W brick but it charges at the same speed it always does.

That would not use anywhere near 61w...

 

[iKnowMr.Jobs]

I use my 2018 MBP with a Caldigit TS3 Plus nearly everyday and according to iStat Menus, the battery is being charged at 87W via the dock.

 

[BGPL]

I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but this is true of any electronic device, or really anything powered by electricity. The voltage needs to match the specs of the motor or device, but the amperage can be anything as long as it meets the minimum requirement to power the machine, charge the battery, start the motor. This is because a device, machine, motor, etc only draws what it needs. You could connect a 13" MBP to a 20V charger that can do 100 amps and it won't hurt it... it will only draw its max power handling. Even then, there's usually some slack on the voltage requirement and some devices can handle a broad spectrum of voltages. As a rule I keep the power supply within 5% of the voltage spec and I can't recall a single time when I've burned something up.

Most of our home outlets in the US are 120v and 15 amps, and some of the newer homes are 20 amps. When you plug in your vacuum cleaner, the motor is designed for 120v (US), but it only draws probably 7-11 amps depending on the model. This is the same situation. Just because you plug a thing into a 15 amp outlet, doesn't mean 15 amps is coming through the cable and into the motor. It's called power draw.

 

[rhyzome]

Is the more powerful power adapter bigger/heavier?

How can you buy a high end 13" and avoid getting a clunky adapter? Which models are included?

 

[hipnetic]

I'm confused. I thought that USB-C charging made it safe to plug in any size charger to any device without fear of it hurting the device. So, for example, I *think* I can take my MBP 16's charger and plug it into my wife's MacBook Air to charge it without harming it. Am I wrong?

 

[sublunar]

I'm confused. I thought that USB-C charging made it safe to plug in any size charger to any device without fear of it hurting the device. So, for example, I *think* I can take my MBP 16's charger and plug it into my wife's MacBook Air to charge it without harming it. Am I wrong?

My thoughts too. I have a 60w USB-C Anker charger that happily charges my iPhone SE using a USB-C to lightning cable. It could charge an iPad Pro for example, or even a 13" MacBook Pro I guess.

If only I could find a decent USB-C to Magsafe 2 cable.

 

[satinsilverem2]

I'm confused. I thought that USB-C charging made it safe to plug in any size charger to any device without fear of it hurting the device. So, for example, I *think* I can take my MBP 16's charger and plug it into my wife's MacBook Air to charge it without harming it. Am I wrong?

Yes, you are right. The charger may be able to supply 96 watts but the MacBook Air will only sink 30 watts. Thats why you can use a MacBook Pro charger to charge smaller items like the iPhone or even your Watch.

 

[konqerror]

I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but this is true of any electronic device, or really anything powered by electricity. The voltage needs to match the specs of the motor or device, but the amperage can be anything as long as it meets the minimum requirement to power the machine, charge the battery, start the motor.

To a certain extent, but there's the issue of short circuits and fault current. The device needs to be able to safely interrupt the maximum current supplied by the source. That's why the British use fuses in their plugs; they have hefty 32 A ring circuits and they want to be able to use devices and cords rated for much less. It's also why the US 20 A socket is compatible with 15 A plugs, but the 30 A socket is not.

 

[MauiPa]

As someone else pointed out, there's more than just the CPU, but let's even leave that aside.
Let's say that with all components accounted for, we're running at 55W. A figured I've entirely plucked out me arse.
That is within 61W, yes... But now you're spending 55 of those 61W on just running the computer, leaving only 6W for charging the battery. With a beefier charger you might be able to charge the battery at the same speed you would've charged it with the computer being idle.

I’m not sure that’s how it works. I am pretty confident that the input power charges the battery and the battery runs the computer, don’t believe it can bypass battery

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

My thoughts too. I have a 60w USB-C Anker charger that happily charges my iPhone SE using a USB-C to lightning cable. It could charge an iPad Pro for example, or even a 13" MacBook Pro I guess.

If only I could find a decent USB-C to Magsafe 2 cable.

The cables exist on Amazon, but are an extraordinary rip off. If you find a good one at a decent price, please let us all know!
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I’m not sure that’s how it works. I am pretty confident that the input power charges the battery and the battery runs the computer, don’t believe it can bypass battery

Source?

 

[magbarn]

Yes, you are right. The charger may be able to supply 96 watts but the MacBook Air will only sink 30 watts. Thats why you can use a MacBook Pro charger to charge smaller items like the iPhone or even your Watch.

The latest 2020 Macbook Air does support 61 watt charger and in fact will charge the battery at a faster rate with the bigger charger.