if I keep charging it on slow or low wattage, will it harm my macbook's battery in anyway?

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Level 1

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if I keep charging it on slow or low wattage, will it harm my macbook's battery in anyway?

I am using my Macbook pro M1 with external display. I found a converter which has on hdmi port for external Monitor, one USB 3.1 and one USB-C.

I connected this converter with my MBP as shown in this image.

I came to know that thunderbolt connectors on Macbook pros are two way charging ports. can return power+data and intake power+data.

Now since i'm using it in this way that.. power is going to the converter from outlet .. and from converter to the Macbook .. I guess this power is being reduced to 7 watts..

Because under System Info I'm seeing this.

I am noticing that although it is charging very slow but it is being changed. It reached to 97% from 74% in a few hours.

I can't bound both of my Thunderbolt ports with seperate power on one port and display on other port because I have to connect my drawing tablet, IPhone for dev purpose and one more accessory.

So my Question is.. Is it safe? will it harm my macbook's battery in anyway? if I keep charging it on slow or low wattage? I've learnt that slow charging is better then fast charging...

Thank you

MacBook Pro Apple Silicon

Posted on Dec 18, 2022 4:29 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,416 points

Dec 18, 2022 4:37 AM in response to mfarooqi

mfarooqi wrote:

I

So my Question is.. Is it safe? will it harm my macbook's battery in anyway? if I keep charging it on slow or low wattage?

I've learnt that slow charging is better then fast charging...

Have I not seen this exact question posted before...?

7 watts is hardly nothing. No downside except it is barely charging at all.

What you state as learned, is mis-informed if you think 7 watts is the answer:

" I've learnt that slow charging is better then fast charging..."

Plug the charger in that shipped with your Mac— Let the built in BHM software work for you:

Battery Health Management was introduced with Catalina and only works on a Mac with a T2 chip or newer

Mac models with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support

Mac models with the Apple T2 Security Chip

Apple Silicon About battery health management in Mac notebooks - Apple Support

Find the right power adapter and cable for your Mac notebook ...

Identify your Mac power adapter - Apple Support

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Answer 2

pogster

Level 5

5,123 points

Dec 18, 2022 9:09 AM in response to mfarooqi

Why not charge and power your Mac with the supplied power adaptor? Your Mac will govern how it will be charged and stop charging when full.

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Answer 3

mfarooqi Author

Level 1

39 points

Dec 18, 2022 5:50 AM in response to leroydouglas

yes I posted this. And this was only you who answered. But I couldn't understand that one line in answer.

Seems nominal at best...

And this statement in answer makes me feel comfortable.

7 watts is hardly nothing. No downside except it is barely charging at all.

I've bene using my external monitor. With a couple of USB devices. iPhone, Drawing Tablet and this 7watts are charging my MBP absolutely fine with no issue so far. Also once it is fully charged I always see

Like my MBP is running on 7 watts of energy.

I keep my MacBook always on power save

So I don't think OS is pushing the machine with full power but working fine .. "Am I correct?"

Thirdly, I tested macbook's performance with "Low Power Mode" with Geekbench benchmarks. And it really gave me 50% of it's full performance .. both in single core and multi cores. Its mean MacBook with 'Low Power Mode' is fine with 7 watts.

I read on somewhere that I should simple discharged to 20% for better battery life, also I read on Apple side that Apple's built-in battery management system does this all by itself even it will remain connected with power.

This is all my understandings.. Please correct me if I'm wrong or suggest me where I'm wrong!.

Thank you

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Answer 4

mfarooqi Author

Level 1

39 points

Dec 18, 2022 9:57 AM in response to pogster

I can charge with the supplied power adaptor. I'm not showing any issue or problem. This is all working fine. I just wanted to know "what if...".. because If by any chance I miss my original somewhere.. and charge with some low watts usb c charger...

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if I keep charging it on slow or low wattage, will it harm my macbook's battery in anyway?

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