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ncmcrnc

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 10, 2020
18
3
Is there a page where I can find out the various input charging profiles the MacBook will accept?

I am specifically after few cheaper third party chargers such as from Lenovo, HP and Dell.

Apple MacBook "Core m3" 1.2 12" 2017
 

Mike Boreham

macrumors 68040
Aug 10, 2006
3,904
1,894
UK
The macBook will charge with any USB-PD (Power Delivery) compliant charging device (battery pack or wall charger). The voltage may be 5V, 9V, 12V, 20V. The MacBook will not charge at more than 30W so it will take the current appropriate to the voltage.

Non USB-PD chargers will almost certainly be 5V and unlikely to charge at 30W and quite likely a lot slower, to the point of barely keeping up with usage if the charger was really meant for a phone.

I don't think you will go far wrong with a reputable brand of charger identifying itself as USB-PD compliant.

I like this one as it smaller than anything else:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DFGKFM3?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=ankerweb_atomtech_banner-20
 
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ncmcrnc

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 10, 2020
18
3
The macBook will charge with any USB-PD (Power Delivery) compliant charging device (battery pack or wall charger). The voltage may be 5V, 9V, 12V, 20V. The MacBook will not charge at more than 30W so it will take the current appropriate to the voltage.

Thanks. May I ask where you got this information from?
The problem I have is, Lenova chargers and HP chargers for example offer several current level from 500mA to 5A.

I am not sure which current level is suitable for MacBook 12 and I would prefer it to choose a higher wattage profile (30W) instead of settling for 15W or 18W for example.

I am trying to understand USB Type-C and PD systems for about a day now. Lol.

This page is a fantastic read.
[automerge]1589122499[/automerge]
I will give an example.

Lenova 65W charger has the following output profiles 5V/2A, 9V/2A, 15V/3A or 20V/2.25A.


I am curious which profile would the MacBook 12 choose in this instance.
 

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Mike Boreham

macrumors 68040
Aug 10, 2006
3,904
1,894
UK
I should have said 5V, 9V, 15V and 20V, not 12V.

My information comes from articles such as your link and much hands on experience of three 12" MacBooks and two 13" MBPs. I have different USB-C docks (not hubs) which supply power to the laptop, USB-PD battery packs, various Apple USB-C PD chargers and third party USB-PD wall chargers like the Atom that I linked. Importantly I also have a Satechi USB-C power meter which shows the voltage and current that is actually in use.

I just measured a few I have around, plugged in to my 12" MacBook through the Satechi meter. As far as I can see the wall chargers and Docks all use 20V1.5A and the Battery packs 15V2A. At some point in the past I am sure I had a 9V3A device but don't seem to have it now.

Apple 30W:20V supplied with the MacBook
Apple 87W: 20V normally supplied with 15" MBP
Plugable USB-C Dock: 20V
Anker Atom 30W:20V
RavPower 26000 USB-PD battery pack: 15V
Anker 26000 USB-PD battery pack:15V
Caldigit USB-C Dock: 20V
Anker PowerPort USB-PD: 20V
Satechi USB-PD wall charger: 20V

Think that Lenovo would use the 20V profile.
 
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ncmcrnc

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 10, 2020
18
3
I should have said 5V, 9V, 15V and 20V, not 12V.

My information comes from articles such as your link and much hands on experience of three 12" MacBooks and two 13" MBPs. I have different USB-C docks (not hubs) which supply power to the laptop, USB-PD battery packs, various Apple USB-C PD chargers and third party USB-PD wall chargers like the Atom that I linked. Importantly I also have a Satechi USB-C power meter which shows the voltage and current that is actually in use.

I just measured a few I have around, plugged in to my 12" MacBook through the Satechi meter. As far as I can see the wall chargers and Docks all use 20V1.5A and the Battery packs 15V2A. At some point in the past I am sure I had a 9V3A device but don't seem to have it now.

Apple 30W:20V supplied with the MacBook
Apple 87W: 20V normally supplied with 15" MBP
Plugable USB-C Dock: 20V
Anker Atom 30W:20V
RavPower 26000 USB-PD battery pack: 15V
Anker 26000 USB-PD battery pack:15V
Caldigit USB-C Dock: 20V
Anker PowerPort USB-PD: 20V
Satechi USB-PD wall charger: 20V

Think that Lenovo would use the 20V profile.

Brilliant, thanks very much. I think I have seen your work before!

:)

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4155695
 
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