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hachre

macrumors 6502a
Sep 26, 2007
690
43
It's generally no problem using a higher rated power supply to power lower rated devices. (As long as the voltage and polarization is equal of course.)

With the MacBooks this means you can generally use MBP chargers for MBA and MBs but you may run into trouble vice versa.

For example using a MacBook Air power supply to run a MacBook Pro might not work. It will charge it (at a lower speed) but it won't be able to charge + run it at the same time for example.

And don't worry you might break it. The power supplies Apple produces are temperature and overload proof.
 

Flyer0815

macrumors 6502
Dec 11, 2007
258
13
PA
I have done both (run the MBA with MBP charger and run a MBP with a MBA charger). I have never had an issue.

I've been using my old MBA charger for years with my MBP because of its tiny size.... which is great for travel. It is capable of powering and charging at the same time; it just takes longer.
 

Moodikar

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2010
195
0
Toronto, Canada
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

Say does anyone know if the new MBA adapters are the same size as the old MBA adapters? I heard they were a bit smaller but both 45watts and both will work with the new mba models correct??
 

Moodikar

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2010
195
0
Toronto, Canada
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

No answer so far huh? Anyone know if the new MBA power adapter is the sam physical size as the old??
 

jamespa66

macrumors 6502a
Jul 6, 2007
503
189
Kenosha, WI
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

No answer so far huh? Anyone know if the new MBA power adapter is the sam physical size as the old??

Physically the new adapter is a bit smaller however the specs are identical.
 

Moodikar

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2010
195
0
Toronto, Canada
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

Thanks James,

They're selling the old adapters at the apple store and I'd like to buy a smaller new one when they come out. Guess they have extra stock.
 

ArcAngel66

macrumors regular
Jun 26, 2009
156
8
I was told that you shouldn't use a MBP power adapter on the lower models (13", and Airs) and that it will "hurt your battery in the long run"

No idea the validity behind that.
 

biosci

macrumors 6502a
Apr 16, 2010
750
36
Chicagoland, IL
No idea the validity behind that.

I had the same question yesterday and everyone said it was fine. The applestore once told me no as well. Anyway, I was a bit annoyed at their attitude and what you said sparked something in my mind. The validity is they want you to just buy another MBA adapter!! Even though you don't need it!!!

Anyway, I found this from Apple...
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1713

Click down below in the link about proper wattage!!! :)

Mike
 

Adidas Addict

macrumors 65816
Sep 9, 2008
1,455
0
England
I had the same question yesterday and everyone said it was fine. The applestore once told me no as well. Anyway, I was a bit annoyed at their attitude and what you said sparked something in my mind. The validity is they want you to just buy another MBA adapter!! Even though you don't need it!!!

Anyway, I found this from Apple...
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1713

Click down below in the link about proper wattage!!! :)

Mike

Yup as we thought:

Select the appropriate power adapter for your Apple portable computer. You can use a higher wattage power adapter, but you cannot use one with less wattage without potential operating issues.
 

wingnut8

macrumors 65816
Jun 8, 2007
1,321
75
I use a MBA charger with my MBP. They accidentally gave me a MBA charger to replace my MBP charger and I didn't realize it until I got home and it worked fine.
 

gwsat

macrumors 68000
Apr 12, 2008
1,920
0
Tulsa
It's generally no problem using a higher rated power supply to power lower rated devices. (As long as the voltage and polarization is equal of course.)

With the MacBooks this means you can generally use MBP chargers for MBA and MBs but you may run into trouble vice versa.

For example using a MacBook Air power supply to run a MacBook Pro might not work. It will charge it (at a lower speed) but it won't be able to charge + run it at the same time for example.

And don't worry you might break it. The power supplies Apple produces are temperature and overload proof.
That's right. Using a charger with lower output than an Apple device was designed to use causes unpredictable results. For example, the iPad charger has an output of 10 watts but it's possible to connect the iPad to a 5 watt USB connection on a computer, too. I have found that doing so sometimes works, albeit slowly, and sometimes doesn't work. Alternatively, I have routinely recharged my iPod Touch, which is designed for a 5 watt charger, with the iPad's 10 watt charger. That combination works like a dream.
 

BittenApple

macrumors 65816
Nov 29, 2008
1,030
595
I use a MBA charger with my MBP. They accidentally gave me a MBA charger to replace my MBP charger and I didn't realize it until I got home and it worked fine.

Its going to draw power slower! It's so annoying using the MBA charger on a MBP, charges sooo slow.
 
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