What kind of charger are you using?

[LAKings]

Posted on here years ago but couldn't find my account. First day buyer of the initial 12-inch MacBook...first day buyer of the M1 Mac. I was waiting for this over the past year, I only wish they brought the 12-inch back. But with the Air not having a fan, it looks like that won't be happening.

Didn't see a thread about this: are you using a charger other than the one that came with the Mac? I just picked up one of those GaN chargers. It really surprised me that Apple hasn't made their power adapters smaller...with all the technological advancements they just made with the M1.

Another interesting thing to me is that the Pro still requires 61W. According to Notebookcheck, the Air does charge at 43W for the first 45 mins or so, but then maintains 22-25W. I guess we are still seeing relatively high wattage due to the battery size remaining the same.

 

[4sallypat]

Anker 30W, 60W & 100W - I use them for all my Macbooks (12" rMB, 13" MBP, 15" MBP, 16" MBP)

Plus some have the USB-A port perfect for charging an iPhone or iPad...

I keep the original Apple chargers as backups in case the aftermarket ones fail...

BTW: Wonderful to be able to swap chargers without worry about overheating - yes, I can charge the 16" MBP with a 30W charger - just slower....

 

[TrueBlou]

96W Apple downstairs, Wavlink TB3 dock 85W PD at my desk and an Anker Multi Charger with 30W PD in the bedroom. Haven’t used the Apple charger that came in the box yet.

 

[velocityg4]

The charger size may be due to the quality of components. Apple builds their chargers to high quality standards. Some of those components are comparatively large and more numerous. Going by teardowns I've seen. Anker doesn't pack a charger to the same standards as Apple.

For example Apple uses Rubycon and Nichicon electrolytic caps in their 87W Charger. Both Tier 1 (top quality) capacitor manufacturers.

Apple really packs their chargers. Check out the 87W teardown. It's amazing how much they stuff in such a small package.

www.chargerlab.com/apple-87w-usb-c-power-adapter-a1719-teardown-review-the-back-of-the-drawer/

Anker uses ACON caps in their 100W charger. I can't find any real mention of this manufacturer. But it doesn't appear on Tomshardware's Tier 1, 2, 3 or even 4 list of capacitor manufacturers. Which really sets off reliability alarm bells.

Anker PowerPort Atom PD 4 100W A2041 Teardown Review

We did a quick hands-on review of the Anker PowerPort Atom PD 4 charger a few weeks ago. It supports a maximum of 100W PD charging and has 2A2C four ports. But no ChargerLAB review is complete without a teardown review. So, let's take an inside look of this brand new desktop charger. I Unboxing

www.chargerlab.com

 

[Apple_Robert]

Good thread question, especially for a new M1 owner like myself. I have been using the stock charger, as I didn't know the ramifications of using a bigger Apple brick on the M1.

 

[deeddawg]

Posted on here years ago but couldn't find my account. First day buyer of the initial 12-inch MacBook...first day buyer of the M1 Mac. I was waiting for this over the past year, I only wish they brought the 12-inch back. But with the Air not having a fan, it looks like that won't be happening.

Didn't see a thread about this: are you using a charger other than the one that came with the Mac? I just picked up one of those GaN chargers. It really surprised me that Apple hasn't made their power adapters smaller...with all the technological advancements they just made with the M1.

Another interesting thing to me is that the Pro still requires 61W. According to Notebookcheck, the Air does charge at 43W for the first 45 mins or so, but then maintains 22-25W. I guess we are still seeing relatively high wattage due to the battery size remaining the same.

Pretty sure it doesn't *require* 61W - my M1 MBP works fine with the 30W charger I kept when selling my Intel MBA. I haven't specifically checked, but I expect it charges slower than with the 61W charger.

I also use any of the following depending on where I am:

• Caldigit TS3+ dock - has it's own power brick and will supply up to 87W over USBC
• Cable Maters multiport charger https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MS9CTB7/
• Lenovo 65W USBC charger

 

[rui no onna]

Too many devices, not enough sockets so we use Anker and RavPower multi-port chargers.

 

[MK500]

I use this Monoprice 60W charger that is currently on sale for $17:

Monoprice Obsidian Speed Plus USB Desktop Charger, 4-Port, 60W PD Output for Laptops, iPhone, Android, and Galaxy Devices - Monoprice.com

Charge and power your USB‑C® equipped laptop, while simultaneously charging up to three smartphones, tablets, and other USB‑powered devices using this 4‑Port USB Smart Charger wi

www.monoprice.com

Works great, and also simultaneously charges my iPad pro and iPhone extremely fast. It’s a nice solid brick with a separate power cord. Great for home/office use, but probably not portable.

I bought a couple more when they went on sale so I can have them around my house. I’ve had great luck with Monoprice chargers for quite a few years.

 

[Captain Trips]

I have been using th out of the box 61W charger that came with the M1 MBP. So far it charges from 10% to close to 100% in a little over 2 hours.

 

[LAKings]

Excellent points about the Pro still charging on 30W. I personally travel a lot so the smaller GaN chargers may be more beneficial to me than others.

 

[Quackers]

Good thread question, especially for a new M1 owner like myself. I have been using the stock charger, as I didn't know the ramifications of using a bigger Apple brick on the M1.

I'm just running a battery rundown test but when I recharge it I'll be using the Caldigit TS3+.
I used the Apple brick the first time but since then I've been using the TS3+ as it's convenient when other things are plugged in to it too.

I too would be a bit nervous about using a higher rated charger than standard even though the TS3 is rated at 87W but the laptop won't demand any more than its maximum charge rate, so it should be irrelevant. Or so it's been explained to me

 

[Zazoh]

Stock, it is free and works. (Why mess with what it was designed for?)
LG 4k Monitor, it charges when attached.

Be interesting to see if in 9 months forums fill up with folks wondering why their batteries are toast ... I kid.

 

[Zazoh]

I too would be a bit nervous about using a higher rated charger than standard even though the TS3 is rated at 87W but the laptop won't demand any more than its maximum charge rate, so it should be irrelevant. Or so it's been explained to me

I've seen this with the LG which reports 60 Watts in System Info and getting Battery stats from Terminal drawing
37 Watts.

 

[Hexley]

Didn't see a thread about this: are you using a charger other than the one that came with the Mac? I just picked up one of those GaN chargers. It really surprised me that Apple hasn't made their power adapters smaller...with all the technological advancements they just made with the M1.

Another interesting thing to me is that the Pro still requires 61W. According to Notebookcheck, the Air does charge at 43W for the first 45 mins or so, but then maintains 22-25W. I guess we are still seeing relatively high wattage due to the battery size remaining the same.

I use this https://satechi.net/products/108w-pro-usb-c-pd-desktop-charger?variant=32118454386776

Apple is probably not using GaN chargers as it cannot be produced in quantities Apple needs. Same reason why AMD was not used as Apple's x86 supplier as they cannot produce enough parts.

Iti s also possible that GaN chargers cannot comply with Apple's design targets.

 

[pldelisle]

Stock, it is free and works. (Why mess with what it was designed for?)
LG 4k Monitor, it charges when attached.

Be interesting to see if in 9 months forums fill up with folks wondering why their batteries are toast ... I kid.

Well said.

 

[theedoor]

Pretty sure it doesn't *require* 61W - my M1 MBP works fine with the 30W charger I kept when selling my Intel MBA. I haven't specifically checked, but I expect it charges slower than with the 61W charger.

Does a 30W charger work well with your M1 MBP? I'm trying to figure out what 3rd party charger I can get and if I truly need 60W

 

[deeddawg]

Does a 30W charger work well with your M1 MBP? I'm trying to figure out what 3rd party charger I can get and if I truly need 60W

In the little bit I've tried it works fine. My two desk/docking setups were already established with 60W or higher sources though so my usage of a 30W brick has been limited.

One has the Caldigit TS3+, the other I have this: Amazon.com: Cable Matters 72W 4-Port USB C Charger (USB C Wall Charger) with 60W Power Delivery for Laptops, Tablets, and Smartphones in Black: Electronics

 

[wytwolf]

I use the Anker 60W charger. It comes with different adapters for different plugs around the world. The charger has 2 USBc ports so it can be 60W in one port or 30W per port. It's about the same size as the apple one but this way it can charge 2 devices at once.

 

[theedoor]

Ended up going for this one because I wanted a couple extra USB-A ports. I think it'll be good enough as a secondary charger for my work desk.

 

[TrueBlou]

Ended up going for this one because I wanted a couple extra USB-A ports. I think it'll be good enough as a secondary charger for my work desk.

I have a different Anker desktop unit. Very similar, but in a vertical design.

I recommend their products with monotonous regularly, purely because they’re excellent quality and always deliver on their promises. I doubt you’ll be disappointed with your choice.

 

[anticipate]

I believe the max draw of the M1 Air is about 24 watts. The Pro may be higher, like 30. I have found I can get about 3 solid hours of battery when hitting GPU/CPU near 100% much of the time. It's a 58 Watt Hour battery, so it kind of lines up that the computer uses about 20W at peak.

Therefore, you -could- use a 20W GaN charger (like the tiny Nano from Anker) to at least keep it powered, if not actually charge it if you were doing basic tasks.

The 60W charger included fills that battery very fast

 

[Segi_de]

Anyone using the new 20w apple charger as a small replacement for the 30w of the MBA? I do have a spare one from my homepod mini and was wondering if this would to the trick mainly for overnight charging my M1 MBA while I am away from home- I usually do not need a charger while I am using the machine. Any test as to if this works and/or how long it takes to charge the macbook?

 

[deeddawg]

I believe the max draw of the M1 Air is about 24 watts. The Pro may be higher, like 30. I have found I can get about 3 solid hours of battery when hitting GPU/CPU near 100% much of the time. It's a 58 Watt Hour battery, so it kind of lines up that the computer uses about 20W at peak.

Therefore, you -could- use a 20W GaN charger (like the tiny Nano from Anker) to at least keep it powered, if not actually charge it if you were doing basic tasks.

The 60W charger included fills that battery very fast

See the notebookcheck reviews - M1 MBA max power usage is 30.something watts and the M1 MBP max power usage is 47.something watts.

 

[dmccloud]

I use the Apple charger that my MBP shipped with at the house. I do have a Platinum 65W charger that I picked up on sale for $25 at Best Buy. That one will be the charger I take with me when I can travel on business again.

Best Buy: Platinum™ 65W 8’ USB-C 3-Port Wall Charger with 47W USB-C Power Delivery for MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Chromebook or USB-C Laptops White PT-PAC65C2U

Shop Platinum™ 65W 8’ USB-C 3-Port Wall Charger with 47W USB-C Power Delivery for MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Chromebook or USB-C Laptops White at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

 

[darngooddesign]

Posted on here years ago but couldn't find my account. First day buyer of the initial 12-inch MacBook...first day buyer of the M1 Mac. I was waiting for this over the past year, I only wish they brought the 12-inch back. But with the Air not having a fan, it looks like that won't be happening.

Didn't see a thread about this: are you using a charger other than the one that came with the Mac? I just picked up one of those GaN chargers. It really surprised me that Apple hasn't made their power adapters smaller...with all the technological advancements they just made with the M1.

Another interesting thing to me is that the Pro still requires 61W. According to Notebookcheck, the Air does charge at 43W for the first 45 mins or so, but then maintains 22-25W. I guess we are still seeing relatively high wattage due to the battery size remaining the same.

The Air comes with a smaller, but also lower power 30W charger, compared to the 60W the MBP has. I'm going to pick up a higher power Anker charger and keep the 30W for traveling.