magsafe power adapters- can I use a more powerful one for a smaller laptop?

[iansilv]

I am wondering- could I use a 17" macbook pro powerbrick to charge a macbook air or another macbook pro that comes with a lower wattage power adapter? Or would it damage the computer?

 

[robbieduncan]

Yes. The power output is maximum: only the required power will be drawn.

 

[iansilv]

thank you. So, it would make sense to future proof things, to just buy the largest adapter available if you are buying a second one for travel, right? That way you could use it in the future with anew model, provider the magsafe adapter does not change- and I have no idea why they would change that.

What about using a lower power one to just charge a notebook? Would it just take longer?

 

[robbieduncan]

What about using a lower power one to just charge a notebook? Would it just take longer?

Personally I'd not recommend it, but there are multiple reports of Macbook adaptors working on Macbook Pros without anything exploding!

 

[creator2456]

thank you. So, it would make sense to future proof things, to just buy the largest adapter available if you are buying a second one for travel, right? That way you could use it in the future with anew model, provider the magsafe adapter does not change- and I have no idea why they would change that.

What about using a lower power one to just charge a notebook? Would it just take longer?

A couple things could happen.

1. Nothing will happen and the computer will use battery like normal
2. No charging, but the battery will not be depleted
3. Very slow charging

If the computer was powered down, I would suspect that charging would just take longer.

 

[kastenbrust]

The charging will go incredibly slow (like 18 - 22 hours for a full recharge) but no other side effects will occur.

 

[J the Ninja]

The normal MagSafe connector doesn't fit in the Air's power plug...or at least I was told that was why they brought out the right angle one.

 

[Sauron's Master]

The charging will go incredibly slow (like 18 - 22 hours for a full recharge) but no other side effects will occur.

Please stop spouting nonsense like you always do.

 

[creator2456]

The normal MagSafe connector doesn't fit in the Air's power plug...or at least I was told that was why they brought out the right angle one.

It will fit just fine. The MBA just can't be on a flat surface. So if you hang the edge with the magsafe off the edge of a table, any magsafe will plug in.

 

[neilhart]

I am wondering- could I use a 17" macbook pro powerbrick to charge a macbook air or another macbook pro that comes with a lower wattage power adapter? Or would it damage the computer?

The answer is yes you can and it will not damage your MBA.

Neil

 

[Kleivonen]

I've had a Polycarbonate's Charger charge my Early '08 MPB with no issues.

 

[Migsy]

That is exactly what they have done with the 24" Cinema Display - they have stuck a powerful charger in there so it can handle any current and future magsafe laptop's power requirements.

 

[NATO]

It will fit just fine. The MBA just can't be on a flat surface. So if you hang the edge with the magsafe off the edge of a table, any magsafe will plug in.

+1

I use my MacBook Pro charger with my MacBook Air out of convenience, I just have to have it sitting at the edge of my desk but it charges fine.

 

[SFStateStudent]

For whatever reason, my MBAir 45W magSafe adapter won't startup my MBP 2.5GHz which requires the 85W magSafe adapter; then again my battery is bad on the MBP...