MBP16M2Max and Dell screen charging

[betonven]

Hi everyone,

I just received my new MacBookPro M2Max. Pretty amazing machine, but coming home I realized an issue:

I'll be using it very often plugged to a Dell 3818 UW screen, connected with USB-c (therefore also being charged). It seems that usb-c charging cannot stop from the screen settings.

The power supply that comes with the MBP is 140W, while the output power of the Dell is 95W. (Not sure if the 140W refer to the actual max usage of MBP or just the specs of an oversized fast charger)

So, my questions are:

1. Is that an issue? I'm not planning to do extreme work for most of the time, but I might once or twice.
2. If it is an issue, what can I do, other than looking for a new screen (which is otherwise too awesome to even consider replacing)?

 

[xraydoc]

Hi everyone,

I just received my new MacBookPro M2Max. Pretty amazing machine, but coming home I realized an issue:

I'll be using it very often plugged to a Dell 3818 UW screen, connected with USB-c (therefore also being charged). It seems that usb-c charging cannot stop from the screen settings.

The power supply that comes with the MBP is 140W, while the output power of the Dell is 95W. (Not sure if the 140W refer to the actual max usage of MBP or just the specs of an oversized fast charger)

So, my questions are:

1. Is that an issue? I'm not planning to do extreme work for most of the time, but I might once or twice.
2. If it is an issue, what can I do, other than looking for a new screen (which is otherwise too awesome to even consider replacing)?

Couple things you can do...

macOS has a Optimized Charging setting that will attempt to learn when you need a full charge (like if you disconnect your machine at 9am every day, it'll wait until close to 9am before fully charging your machine to 100%). It will also attempt to keep your machine below 100% when plugged in but not near the time you usually take it with you. The setting is in the Battery system settings. I can't recall if it defaults to on or off.

An alternative is an app called Al Dente (there's also Al Dente Pro which adds a few more features). This will block the laptop from charging to 100% and maintain the charge at a level you select. I use 80%. When you need to take your machine with you, there's a button in the menu bar widget that will charge the machine to 100% if you need. And it also has a function where if you plug your machine back in to your monitor with the battery above your preset level (for example, you plug it back in at 92% but your preset level is 80%), it will let the machine discharge to your preset level before allowing the machine to charge again.

I use Al Dente Pro with macOS's Optimized Charging turned off. It's an awesome app. I have no relation to the company that makes it - just a happy user. It's completely worth the $20 or whatever in my opinion.

As for 95W versus the included 140W adapter -- the main difference is charging speed. The 140W Apple charger plus the MagSafe cable will charge a bit faster. And theoretically, though rare in practice, the work you're doing on the computer could potentially pull more than 95W (sustained 100% CPU and GPU workload with the laptop's screen open and at 100% brightness with a couple bus-powered drives hanging off the laptop), meaning the battery could slowly discharge even when plugged in until said work is finished. This, however, is very unlikely to occur.

Edit: and FYI, even Apple's own Studio Display, targeted at 16" MacBook Pro owners (amongst others), only provides 95W of charging as well.