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Blazer5913

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 20, 2004
386
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I typically use the included Apple "big" MagSafe charger while at home but if I'm traveling and trying to pack lightly, it would be great to pack a single charger. I've been looking at some of the smaller GaN chargers through Anker, either 18 or 30W ones. Obviously it won't charge "as fast" but if I'm able to bring a smaller/easier-to-pack charger that will still give the laptop some charge overnight/while not using it, that would be ideal and then I can leave my MagSafe one at home in a more permanent "cable management" setting at my desk. I don't want to cause any harm to the MBP battery though if I'm using an "under-powered" adapter... but if the only downside is slow charging, then I'm more than okay with that for those certain circumstances. Any ideas on this? Could I go even lower to the 18W charger? Or lower (and slower)? Thanks!
 
There is a 65w charger from Anker. It will keep it charge no problem unless you run your CPU 100% for 24/7.


No, it will not cause harm because this is not a DC/AC power brick. This is Power Delivery PD tech, the power is flexible.
 
I'm def a fan of this idea... in particular this looks great as it packs so flat - roughly half the thickness of the stock charger, about 1/4 the weight


There's also a 45 watt one but photos show it to be a fair bit larger... shouldn't make a difference, either will easily charge to full overnight if that is the primary use case.
 
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Actually really like the idea of the slim folding one that's basically flush with your wall. 30W is pretty small and portable... and then it also showed me a 45W one, very similar, and only slightly bigger:


But if my question is smallest/most-portable charger with the least amount of wattage, then 30W folding should be the sweet spot I think!
 
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30W flush wall adapter it is! Thanks for the kick in the butt to pull the trigger on this. I'll let you guys know how it works and about how long things take to charge up on the new 14" MBP
 
I often use a 20W iPad charger for overnight charging, for convenience. Takes about 4 to 5 hours to charge my 14" MBP.
Also means when I travel I can take one small charger for iPhone, iPad, and MBP, and a couple of cables
 
The Nano II only gets slightly warm charging the 14" MBP, same charging speed as the stock brick, and a lot smaller, it's a superb charger, and it's not white!
 

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I am using a 30W Apple charger with my 14" M1 Max, and it worked very well. It took less than 3 hours to fully charge the Mac from 20% battery while under light usage. It seems viable to travel with this charger and use the 14" as a hub to charge the other devices overnight (iPhone, iPad, Watch, camera etc.).
 
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I have that 4 port Anker charger with one 45W USB-C port (PowerIQ 3.0) so this is good news for travel. Can leave the big brick at home if that will work.
 
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Using the Anker nano 20 watts. Same size as the original 5w iPhone charger. Works fine for my 16 inch.
Tried using the iPad Pro 20W charger with the 14" M1 Max. Actually it works fine under light load. It charges at a rate of 10% every 30 minutes when I locked the Mac and with the battery level around 50%. It still charged the Mac when I was doing light work (email, YouTube, reading ebooks etc.). (BOINC was not running.)

Screenshot 2021-11-29 at 10.53.08 PM.png
 
I used the USB-A to USB-C cable from my Samsung T5 SSD to try charging with a 12w old iPad adapter and it worked fine. I'm sure your new 30w will also work.
 
This one from the UK is pretty small, merely bigger than a 20w charger from Apple

 
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I'm def a fan of this idea... in particular this looks great as it packs so flat - roughly half the thickness of the stock charger, about 1/4 the weight


There's also a 45 watt one but photos show it to be a fair bit larger... shouldn't make a difference, either will easily charge to full overnight if that is the primary use case.

FYI, I have this charger. It works but it'll take like... 4 hours or so to fully charge the device.
 
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