macbook and thunderbolt 3

I have MacBook Pro and wanted use external monitor, i bought LG 23WK95U-W monitor which has USB - C port. When i use the Thunderbolt 3 cable to connect laptop with monitor the battery sign shows charging on laptop (without using the charger which comes with laptop) therefore i thought i do not need to use laptop charger when i am connecting my laptop from Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C)wire to LG monitor.

But it seems the wire does not charge the laptop instead it consumes the power from laptop to stay connected with monitor.

My questions is,

Do i need to use both? (laptop charger for charging and Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) for connecting with monitor)


Thanks & Regards

Mahmudul

Posted on Sep 30, 2020 2:33 PM

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Posted on Sep 30, 2020 3:20 PM

I can’t find the specs for your display but check them to see the power delivery over USB-C. Some only output 15 W which is not enough to power your Mac. If you have a 13” MBP it needs 61 W of power (a display that puts out 60 W is fine), if you have a 15-16” MBP you need 87 or 96 W and most displays only deliver up to 60 W.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 30, 2020 3:20 PM in response to mhmanik02

I can’t find the specs for your display but check them to see the power delivery over USB-C. Some only output 15 W which is not enough to power your Mac. If you have a 13” MBP it needs 61 W of power (a display that puts out 60 W is fine), if you have a 15-16” MBP you need 87 or 96 W and most displays only deliver up to 60 W.

Oct 1, 2020 7:40 AM in response to mhmanik02

That display does not make clear how much USB-C power it provides under normal circumstances.


Your computer performs best when connected to AC power. It can use the full output of the Power Adapter AND when doing especially challenging work will also freely "borrow" power from the battery. In some cases, the charged state may even decline during stressful work.


When used only on battery, your computer has no extra cushion of power, and will perform more slowly. However, for ordinary non-stressful tasks this may not be objectionable (possibly not even noticeable.)


In general, you should ALWAYS connect AC power when it is possible to do so, and only run on batteries (which will be somewhat slower) when no AC sources are at hand. There are three micro-controllers cooperating on battery and charging issues, and your Mac will NEVER over-charge.


An external power supply that provides "USB Power Delivery" (like certain displays) can not 'force itself' on your Mac. The Voltage and Current are delivered only after your Mac requests and the charger agrees to supply power under certain controlled conditions. The computer is in control of the entire process.


Accepting power from multiple sources is very complicated, and may be beyond your Mac's abilities. It is most likely to accept the FIRST connected power supply and ignore any added later, unless one added later is clearly superior (in which case it could switch, but is still unlikely to combine power sources).



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macbook and thunderbolt 3

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