MBP 16" M1 Pro/Max compatibility with TB3 docks

Question

Level 1

16 points

MBP 16" M1 Pro/Max compatibility with TB3 docks

New MacBook Pro M1 Pro/Max 16“ is supplied with 140W charger. I would like to use with some dock – but all docks available on the market are able to deliver 85W (or 87W maximum) only.

Has anyone tried new MBP M1 Pro/Max with some legacy TB3 dock (ideally Belkin)? Is it able to supply enough power under full load?

(I do not have mine yet, I’m still waiting for manufacture and delivery).

I suspect that 140W charges is supplied mainly because of fast battery charging (50% in 30 minutes), not because new MBP is so power-hungry. If new MBP would really need 140W per hour, battery life under full load would be only +/- 45 minutes… (battery is officially 100Wh).

Optionally – Is anyone aware of any dock with >100W power delivery?

Posted on Nov 17, 2021 2:27 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Sonicray

Level 5

4,555 points

Nov 17, 2021 5:48 PM in response to MartinBeran

Yeah, the 140W brick does fast charging when bypassing the 100W limit with the MagSafe adapter but if you change that cable to a USB-C plug the Power drops accordingly …

I’ve had no problems so far with the 87W I have here… the M1 is fantastically power efficient…

Reply

Answer 2

MartinBeran Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 17, 2021 4:46 PM in response to Sonicray

Thanks... 87W is enough even with some high load? (battery % should not go down during high load...)

BTW - I also thought that 100W is maximum for USB-C PD - but Apple is somehow bypassing this limit with their 140W adapter.

Reply

Answer 3

MartinBeran Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 17, 2021 10:18 PM in response to Sonicray

Thank you, that explains a lot! The only mystery left is why Apple does not list 96W charger as compatible - in case when even 140W charger does not supply more power over USB-C - but this is what only Apple can tell.

Reply

Answer 4

Sonicray

Level 5

4,555 points

Nov 17, 2021 4:09 PM in response to MartinBeran

You only need a minimum of 67W to keep you Mac charged … I am using a 87W and it works (with the MBP 16 inch M1 Max)

btw, PD max. is 100W… so nothing more than that…

Reply

MBP 16" M1 Pro/Max compatibility with TB3 docks

Similar questions