What is the maximum power my MBP can take via the USB-C port? I can't find the spec anywhere. Please point me to a document.
2023 16" Macbook Pro M2 Max, made before November.
MacBook Pro (M2 Max, 2023)
exekutive wrote:
"laptop draws what it needs"
"The laptop controls the flow of energy."
I completely understand this, hence why I said "can take" in the question. So you just repeated back to me what I already said. I did not go into the details, because they are completely irrelevant to the (very straightforward) question. The links don't answer it either but thank you for your time.
The links and information that D.I. Johnson provided actually do suggest an answer – if you pay attention.
Charge your Mac laptop computer - Apple Support links to
Fast charge your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro - Apple Support
which says
--------------------
On the 16-inch MacBook Pro, you can fast charge with the following adapter and cable:
--------------------
The original version of the USB-C Power Delivery specification did not provide for power delivery of more than 100 watts. So the fact that fast-charging a 16-inch MacBook Pro requires both
implies that the USB-C ports on your 16-inch M2 Max MacBook Pro (released earlier in 2023) cannot accept more than 100 watts (5 amps, 20 volts) of negotiated power. (Or at least could not when it first came out - possibly the hardware was flexible enough to support higher wattages once macOS was updated to reflect a new PD standard, but if so, Apple is not advertising that or making any special promises.)
exekutive wrote:
"laptop draws what it needs"
"The laptop controls the flow of energy."
I completely understand this, hence why I said "can take" in the question. So you just repeated back to me what I already said. I did not go into the details, because they are completely irrelevant to the (very straightforward) question. The links don't answer it either but thank you for your time.
The links and information that D.I. Johnson provided actually do suggest an answer – if you pay attention.
Charge your Mac laptop computer - Apple Support links to
Fast charge your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro - Apple Support
which says
--------------------
On the 16-inch MacBook Pro, you can fast charge with the following adapter and cable:
--------------------
The original version of the USB-C Power Delivery specification did not provide for power delivery of more than 100 watts. So the fact that fast-charging a 16-inch MacBook Pro requires both
implies that the USB-C ports on your 16-inch M2 Max MacBook Pro (released earlier in 2023) cannot accept more than 100 watts (5 amps, 20 volts) of negotiated power. (Or at least could not when it first came out - possibly the hardware was flexible enough to support higher wattages once macOS was updated to reflect a new PD standard, but if so, Apple is not advertising that or making any special promises.)
There are two separate technical specification documents for the MBP 16-inch laptop.
One for the (early) 2023 model: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023) - Tech Specs - Apple Support
and then another for the November 2023 model: MacBook Pro (16-inch, Nov 2023) - Tech Specs - Apple Support
Both sheets specify that fast charging can be accomplished with the included 140W power adapter and USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable.
Neither specifies exactly what the max input is at the USB-C port.
This document: Fast charge your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro - Apple Support, indicates that all 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021 or later can be fast charged up to 50 percent battery in around 30 minutes. It indicates the Nov 2023 16-inch MPB can do that with either the MagSafe 3 or 240W USB-C cable. The USB-C cable is not indicated for the (early) 2023 15-inch MBP. Apparently there is some difference.
In this document: Use a power adapter with your Mac - Apple Support Apple recommends the 140W power adapter as appropriate for the 16-inch MBP. However, there is still no specification of the max input capability of the USB-C port.
Please let us know if you ever find documentation that describes the max input at USB-C port for your Mac.
exekutive wrote:
"You want an official specification document - look it up yourself. This is good enough for me."
I'm glad you're satisfied. Unfortunately , it doesn't match reality.
It "doesn't match reality"? That link is to the USB Implementer's forum site! That is the body that publishes the specifications for USB, including those for USB-C Power Delivery. They very clearly stated that the original USB Power Delivery specification was limited to 100 watts. If you don't want to take their word, that is your problem, not mine, and not that of anyone else who has tried to assist you in this thread.
"Maybe, just maybe, that 16" screen draws more power than a 14" one does."
Naturally. Therefore, logically, you would expect that the 16" would accept more power via the USB port than the 14" model. If the Apple specs are correct, the opposite is true.
Apple does not say that "the opposite is true". You are implying that the 16" M1- and M2-family MBPs cannot draw as much power over USB-C as the 14" MBPs can. When they can probably draw the same amount - it is simply that 96 to 100W is enough to fast-charge a 14" MBP but is not enough to fast-charge a 16" one.
"There's no reason to believe that 14" {M1/M2}-family MBPs can draw more power "
The reason is Apple's own published specifications.
I looked at Apple's published specifications. They do not say what you claim they do. 14" M2-family MBPs have 70-watt-hour batteries and can fast-charge with a 96W power adapter. 16" M2-family MBPs have 100-watt-hour batteries and can fast-charge with a 140W power adapter (over MagSafe 3, only, as described elsewhere).
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023) - Tech Specs - Apple Support
MacBook Pro (16-inch, Nov 2023) - Tech Specs - Apple Support
"Apple did not "decide to only cripple their most expensive model" By the available information, it appears they did.
Repeating that claim does not make it so. You have yet to post any hard evidence substantiating a claim that 14" M2-series MBPs can draw more than 100W over USB-C while 16" M2-series MBPs cannot.
Furthermore, while your M2 Mac MacBook Pro cannot fast-charge over USB-C (because it cannot accept 140W over USB-C), it can fast-charge using a 140W USB-C Power Adapter and a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable. Both of which Apple supplied in the box, so that you could fast-charge without buying anything extra!
exekutive wrote:
"What is the maximum power my MBP can take" not give
Something that has not been mentioned here is that the MBP negotiates with the power adapter to take the power it needs. The adapter does not push power to the laptop, the laptop draws what it needs at the moment, whether that is by its MagSafe port or via the USB-C port. The laptop controls the flow of energy.
So if you connect the MBP to an adapter capable of supplying 240W, but the laptop can only draw 140W, that is the flow that will be negotiated and/or allowed.
Apple may not publish that particular spec for its devices, so while your question may not receive a direct answer here, you might find this link informative: https://www.usb.org/usb-charger-pd
And you may find something here as well: Charge your Mac laptop computer - Apple Support
Power supplies of equivalent or higher wattage ratings to the provided power supply will all work.
If you’re sizing a power supply purchase as might be inferred, the math on the output power marketing for those can be creative. Particularly when multiple ports are all attempting to draw power.
If you want to see the actual power draw going into the Mac, see what the system report (system information) power section indicates for power draw in the power section.
Otherwise (and probably better), you’ll want a USB-PD power meter. Those are inexpensive, with one rated up to 240 watts PD EPR for roughly USD$35.
One Anker power supply I’ve worked with shows the active power draw on its built-in display. Basically, it has its own built-in power meter.
Be aware that USB-C charging cables can limit wattage was well, with the older and lower-spec cables rated for 60 watts.
exekutive wrote:
Again, thank you for your time but I don't think I got across.
"the wattage draw can vary. "
I'm well aware, which is why the post title says "maximum"
"If you want to know what the current current is, measure it."
I did thank you. But that's not the question.
"Apple doesn’t publish ..."
Again , they published the power specifications for models made after 2023, but apparently not mine (that I can find).
It's ok if you don't know. I appreciate your time anyway.
you missed:
“Apple doesn’t publish a peak draw, beyond the amperages and voltages available with the supplied power supply.”
Should that be insufficient, measure your exact hardware configuration with a meter.
I cannot find it either in tech refs.
However, if a device is attached to the port, System Information (in your Utilities folder), will show the power in watts allocated for that port if you select "USB" from the left-hand contents pane:
Screenshot from my M4 Pro Macbook Pro 14" running 26.5.2:
exekutive wrote:
There's no reason to act surprised. It's important (and courteous) to pay attention to the words that people use. It's too bad the only way to get basic power specs for a laptop is from an engineer.
The basic power requirements are within 140 watts.
If you need a more specific measurement for your specific Mac hardware configuration with your memory and your storage configuration, within the 140 watt limit, use a power meter. And I’d expect the power requirements can vary.
Hi,
The maximum power draw for the 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro (M2 Max) is 140W, supplied using Apple's 140W USB-C Power Adapter and a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable.
"The links and information that D.I. Johnson provided actually do suggest an answer "
No they don't
"140W USB-C Power Adapter + 240W USB-C Charge Cable for MacBook Pro (16-inch, Nov 2023) or later"
As the question states, mine was made before Nov. So this simply tells me what mine isn't.
"The original version of the USB-C Power Delivery specification did not provide for power delivery of more than 100 watts."
Thank you. This is closer to what I was after.
There's no way I could have "implied" it was 100W, because it's not stated anywhere in those links. Can you point me to an official spec document?
However, this still isn't the real answer because I've never achieved 100W using the USB-C port on this Macbook. In fact I think the capability is lower. The most I was ever able to get is around 84W using 20V/4.7A PD mode. I've polled several other similar macbook owners , and they report the similar numbers (despite using USB hardware capable of more power).
Also, it's weird that they decided to only cripple their most expensive model. I feel kinda screwed by Apple there.
exekutive wrote:
Doesn't answer the question at all.
Yes, it does.
Mac and power supply negotiate the voltage and amperage supplied and as limited by cabling, and the wattage draw can vary.
If you want to know what the current current is, measure it.
Apple doesn’t publish a peak draw, beyond the amperages and voltages available with the supplied power supply.
Well, you’ve rejected all answers from your fellow users in these forums as inaccurate or not what you are looking for. Your next step would be to contact Apple directly. As you should know no one here works for Apple. I don't think anyone here knows how to directly contact an Apple power engineer.
Contact Apple Support - Apple Support
"I feel kinda screwed by Apple there."
Switch platforms. Who wants to use products from a company that screws their customers. I know that my wife’s Lenovo laptop needs at least 140W through its USB port but still reports slow charging unless she uses the 170W power brick though the charging input.
exekutive wrote:
"The original version of the USB-C Power Delivery specification did not provide for power delivery of more than 100 watts."
Thank you. This is closer to what I was after.
There's no way I could have "implied" it was 100W, because it's not stated anywhere in those links. Can you point me to an official spec document?
You want an official specification document - look it up yourself. This is good enough for me.
USB-IF (USB Implementer's Forum) – USB Charger (USB Power Delivery)
"Announced in 2021, the USB PD Revision 3.1 specification is a major update to enable delivering up to 240W of power over full featured USB Type-C® cable and connector. Prior to this update, USB PD was limited to 100W using a solution based on 20V using USB Type-C cables rated at 5A."
However, this still isn't the real answer because I've never achieved 100W using the USB-C port on this Macbook. In fact I think the capability is lower. The most I was ever able to get is around 84W using 20V/4.7A PD mode. I've polled several other similar macbook owners , and they report the similar numbers (despite using USB hardware capable of more power).
Also, it's weird that they decided to only cripple their most expensive model. I feel kinda screwed by Apple there.
Apple did not "decide to only cripple their most expensive model".
There's no reason to believe that 14" {M1/M2}-family MBPs can draw more power over USB-C than 16" {M1/M2}-family ones can.
The reason that 14" MacBook Pros based upon M1-family and M2-famiy chips can fast-charge with either a 96W power adapter or a 140W one is that 14" MBPs do not require as much power as 16" ones do. Maybe, just maybe, that 16" screen draws more power than a 14" one does.
"laptop draws what it needs"
"The laptop controls the flow of energy."
I completely understand this, hence why I said "can take" in the question. So you just repeated back to me what I already said. I did not go into the details, because they are completely irrelevant to the (very straightforward) question. The links don't answer it either but thank you for your time.
"Apple may not publish that particular spec for its devices"
Well they published it for models made after November, but not before.
Again, thank you for your time but I don't think I got across.
"the wattage draw can vary. "
I'm well aware, which is why the post title says "maximum"
"If you want to know what the current current is, measure it."
I did thank you. But that's not the question.
"Apple doesn’t publish ..."
Again , they published the power specifications for models made after 2023, but apparently not mine (that I can find).
It's ok if you don't know. I appreciate your time anyway.
Maximum USB-C power for 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro M2 Max?
