MacBook Pro charging via Hub.....

[Ifti]

Currently have an Intel i9 MacBook Pro - awaiting delivery of M1 Max system (yup, one of those who is still waiting!)

My MacBook Pro is mainly always on my desk, and always connected to its original Apple charger.
I use Aldente Pro to keep the system battery at 75%, while fully calibrating every so often.

I have an OWC ThunderBolt 4 Hub for my editing drives, and am looking at adding a second hub to the setup.
I believe the hub provides 80w power to the MacBook.

Does anyone see any issue with the following:

Keep one hub always connected to the laptop. Will this provide enough power to cover me for general usage (web browsing, emails, other light office use)?

My most intensive usage is with FCPX.
When I use FCPX I attached my second hub since it has all my editing drives attached.

When I attach my second hub for editing work, will it provide additional power to the laptop, hence the laptop will be receiving its full power, or does the system only accept one power source at any one time?

Or, should I connect and use magsafe power as usual?

 

[jav6454]

I wouldn't connect my Mac to any USB hub for charging. I have seen several threads here where hubs lie about the power protections when stuff like MacBooks are connected and people end up with damages to their devices.

 

[Ifti]

I wouldn't connect my Mac to any USB hub for charging. I have seen several threads here where hubs lie about the power protections when stuff like MacBooks are connected and people end up with damages to their devices.

Ah, so you think its best to keep using the MacBook charging adapter, and just use the hub as and when required?

To be fair, one hub has my editing drives, so I only ever connect it when editing.
The second hub has my 10GBe ethernet adapter and some spare ports for other drives I connect as and when needed - so again I don't particularly need this connected all the time - just when needed.
May stick to the default charging adapter in that case and continue to use the hubs as I have been!

 

[seadragon]

Currently have an Intel i9 MacBook Pro - awaiting delivery of M1 Max system (yup, one of those who is still waiting!)

My MacBook Pro is mainly always on my desk, and always connected to its original Apple charger.
I use Aldente Pro to keep the system battery at 75%, while fully calibrating every so often.

I have an OWC ThunderBolt 4 Hub for my editing drives, and am looking at adding a second hub to the setup.
I believe the hub provides 80w power to the MacBook.

Does anyone see any issue with the following:

Keep one hub always connected to the laptop. Will this provide enough power to cover me for general usage (web browsing, emails, other light office use)?

My most intensive usage is with FCPX.
When I use FCPX I attached my second hub since it has all my editing drives attached.

When I attach my second hub for editing work, will it provide additional power to the laptop, hence the laptop will be receiving its full power, or does the system only accept one power source at any one time?

Or, should I connect and use magsafe power as usual?

It only draws power from one source and will choose whichever one is providing the most power. I use a Caldigit TS3+ hub and it charges my 2021 16” MBP Max just fine. I wouldn’t worry about hubs and charging. Just stick with reputable brands (Caldigit,OWC etc). Also, I’d recommend everything be connected to a UPS or power conditioner.

 

[jav6454]

Ah, so you think its best to keep using the MacBook charging adapter, and just use the hub as and when required?

To be fair, one hub has my editing drives, so I only ever connect it when editing.
The second hub has my 10GBe ethernet adapter and some spare ports for other drives I connect as and when needed - so again I don't particularly need this connected all the time - just when needed.
May stick to the default charging adapter in that case and continue to use the hubs as I have been!

In my opinion, yes, it's best to keep the Mac connected directly to the power source.