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User profile for user: tacomadriver
tacomadriver Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

MBPro 16 Power Adapter AC Connection

I just bought a new MBPro 16" yesterday. I see that Apple no longer provides the 3-prong AC cord for the new power adapter. When I just chatted with Apple support to see if it was okay to use such a cable the person said it wasn't recommended by Apple since they didn't provide. Well they also don't provide a charger for new iPhones but that doesn't mean they didn't mean to use another charger. So they do make the 2-prong plug removable for some reason. Does anyone know if plugging in the old AC cable they used to provide will work with the new power brick? The brick is very large and covers up two other sockets on my AC supply bar.

Posted on Nov 30, 2021 10:27 AM

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User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
152,254 points

Posted on Nov 30, 2021 10:49 AM

Yes, there shouldn't be any issue with using the three-prong AC cord with the newer AC adapter.


FWIW, I have 2010 & 2020 MacBook Pros. The earlier Mac came with both the AC adapter and an extension 3-prong cord. I typically leave this cord connected to the AC outlet, and then, just switch the adapters when I switch which notebook I want to use.

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User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
152,254 points

Nov 30, 2021 10:49 AM in response to tacomadriver

Yes, there shouldn't be any issue with using the three-prong AC cord with the newer AC adapter.


FWIW, I have 2010 & 2020 MacBook Pros. The earlier Mac came with both the AC adapter and an extension 3-prong cord. I typically leave this cord connected to the AC outlet, and then, just switch the adapters when I switch which notebook I want to use.

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User profile for user: Sonicray
Sonicray
User level: Level 5
4,556 points

Nov 30, 2021 11:07 AM in response to tacomadriver

QUOTE: "...the person said it wasn't recommended by Apple since they didn't provide..."


Wow, that is interestingly short of pure unicorn and rainbows...

I've used the 3-prong AC cable adapter for the power brick since forever... LOL... Even, when I call or go to the Apple store they tell me to keep my 3-prong AC cable adapter and use it with the other bricks. They even sell it in their stores...


The cable itself is now considered a "consumable." So, that means it is not covered by warranty like it used to be... back in the day...

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User profile for user: tacomadriver
tacomadriver Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 30, 2021 11:57 AM in response to Sonicray

It does seem to reflect the level of the support persons skills. I was also doing just a support chat because it seemed like an easy basic question. Ideally if I can get a senior advisor on a call the experience level goes way up so the answer ends up making more sense. I have the feeling that newer / probationary advisors stick to 'if it's not listed on the site then it has no answer' and the new person needs to stay within some guidelines.


Thank you both for your help!

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
133,267 points

Nov 30, 2021 12:05 PM in response to tacomadriver

The new version of the AC extensions cord IS shown on Apple's Web site, and sells for about US$20.


It is completely indistinguishable form the older ones, and the amount of current involved is low enough there are no issues with capacity.


If you have an old one, feel free are to use it. If you want a new one, they are readily available for sale.


Your advisor need more experience - (perhaps they only know iPhone power adapter answers).

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User profile for user: tacomadriver
tacomadriver Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 30, 2021 12:22 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hello Grant, yes considering the light weight cord attached to some toasters I have no doubt the old cable won't handle the load. I would have felt way more warm and fuzzy if Apple had added the astronomically expensive cable in the box. Now the conclusion I'm drawing is either the product developers decided they didn't use it so no one else does either, or it's an opportunity to make another $20 for the Apple coffers. Either way it needs to be mentioned on the power adapter web page. That's just my two cents worth.

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MBPro 16 Power Adapter AC Connection

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