Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

the problem with airplanes and the MBP

I'd be interested in whether people think this problem is specific to my machine, or general.

I do too much travel on planes. I therefore couldn't begin to use my MPB until I could buy 3 batteries (about a month after I got the machine), and I also had to buy an inverter, since I couldn't find any iGo like tip to connect to the new magnet connection.

The first inverter I got was a Targus. It promised 90w - above the reported 85w drawn by the machine. Four flights, never would it work. Everytime, it would trip because too much power was demanded. I then bought a "CyberPower" inverter, promising 120w. That worked for a good 3 hours on an internatinoal flight, but then it began flaking as well. I then discovered that if I had a fully charged battery (so it wasn't trying to charge), it worked fine. So the obvious "solution" is either to have a fully charged battery, or to remove the battery -- though that's obviously a bit dangerous, since the cord disconnects from the laptop so easily.

This is a big problem with the machine. Is it just mine, or is it general? And is there any useful way to control how much power the unit draws? Notice, the processor speed control has been removed from the Energy Saver panel.

MBP Mac OS X (10.4.5)

PB G4, Mac OS X (10.3.6)

Posted on Mar 29, 2006 3:55 PM

82 replies

May 3, 2006 9:39 PM in response to Rob Melford

Actually, it doesn't. It pulls too much power from airplane plugs, so they shut off. The only "solution" is to have a fully charged battery, so the pull is lower. Not, imho, a solution at all.

MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Foolbo

Level 3

520 points

May 4, 2006 8:10 AM in response to Lawrence Lessig

Question:

Since it i possible to run from airplane power as long as the battery is charged, is the opposite also true? In other words, is it possible to charge the battery while the laptop is turned off?

My company needs 15 new laptops, and I am agonizing over the decision since there appears to be so many problems with the MacBooks. And this issue just got added to the list of reasons why we probably are going to buy 15 used PowerBooks...

Very depressing to see such quality problems from a company like Apple.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any answers on charging the batteries on airplanes....

May 4, 2006 8:12 AM in response to Lawrence Lessig

Since the Kensington 150W didn't work for the person (see post above), I recommended they purchase a inverter from APC. I don't know what the model number is, but they said it worked for them.

I'll verify what model it is from APC (and the wattage) and post it here.

A few of the posts have been educated recommendations, which have been helpful in selecting a wattage to start with. I am hoping more people can provide known working models. Also, it's probably important to include the charge status of the battery. Maybe all 150w inverters will work with a fully charged battery?

Mac OS X (10.4.6)

moretti

Level 1

5 points

May 4, 2006 9:51 AM in response to Lawrence Lessig

I regularly fly American Airlines between So. America and the States and just read on their website that their Powerports (cigarette lighter style) only support up to 75W. Perhaps they (and other airlines) will upgrade this load to support new technologies (i.e., higher power chipsets). We should note, though, that this is not unique to Apple's products. For example, Acer Travelmate 8200s use 90W adapters, as do Dell Inspirons. The Sony Vaio FE series use 110W+. I plan to move to a MBP 17 soon, so I'll probably invest in an extra battery and charge both fully before my flights -- and write the airline(s) about this situation.

PB 17 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

May 4, 2006 10:08 AM in response to Foolbo

This is not a Quality Control issue from Apple. This is a niche market of their users. While yes it would be great to be able to use the MBP on a plane or in a car, Apple is not making the product or advertising it for such. The issue is it's a new product and you need to find something that works with it.

Plenty other portables run >75W chargers, we were just fortunate before. It should be noted that iBook's and 12" Powerbook's run on smaller wattage, I would guess that possibly the replacement for these will also run less than 85W. If you are on a plane a lot, a 12-14" isn't a bad idea anyway. You can still buy 12" PB and iBook's that will work fine in these situations.

May 4, 2006 10:31 AM in response to Randall Jenkins

This is apologetics gone insane. Apple is selling a laptop. If you told a business traveller this machine was not intended to be used while traveling, then I suspect Apple wouldn't be selling as many as it is. The reason there's a problem is not that the wattage has gone above 75W. It is that "apple cute" has led them to this silly magnetic adaptor tip, which no one else supports with a travel charger. So the only way to get power is to use (the insanely inefficient technology of) an inverter. A regular adaptor can adjust to the difference in pull. Often before my machine wouldn't charge properly on an airplane. But never did the power completely shut off.

MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.6)

May 4, 2006 10:32 AM in response to Randall Jenkins

Never used it on a plane (boat and car mostly), but am addicted to my iGo with my PowerBook and Moto v635 (with the add-on to charge 2nd device) Have 2 of them, and part of the reason I'm still waiting on the MBP is that there isn't an iGo/iTip that will work with the MBP...

Lack of modem and FW800 on the 15" are the other main reasons... Otherwise would have already made a purchase.

May 4, 2006 10:42 AM in response to Lawrence Lessig

Show me where apple markets this thing as a "laptop" and Ill send out a check for $300.00 to you.

What I am saying is this issue is just new to Apple users, other PC users have had to deal with this in the past, and it is something to consider when purchasing. Maybe the MacBook (iBook replacement) will have a lower wattage and can be used for this. You have to do a bit of research, and that can be tough with a new hardware model, and often times you need a little time for things to catch up. It would be ridiculous to expect third party manufacturers to have it on the market right when something launched, they need to have enough market out there for it to make sense.

Unfortunately you have to wait a bit, because you chose to be an early adopter.

May 4, 2006 11:11 AM in response to Randall Jenkins

No, Mr. Jenkins, this is not a problem others have had to deal with. Others have been able to use power adaptors like iGo which (again) because not inverters, are able to deal with the undersupply of power without totally flaking out. Sure, eventually they may (who knows what the IP rights here are) catch up. And you're certainly right, it was stupid of me to be an early adopter (it was a month before I could buy the batteries to be able to use the machine at all). But I should think at a minimum Apple could acknowledge the issue and some clues about just when it might be dealt with.

May 4, 2006 11:24 AM in response to Lawrence Lessig

There are plenty of other laptops out there that run greater than 75W its been documented, The MBP isn't the first one. There probably is a solution out there that works, or will be shortly. If you took all this passion into researching some inverters that work for other laptops over 75W you might not have the problem anymore.

🙂

May 4, 2006 12:07 PM in response to Randall Jenkins

While I am only a casual reader (doing Research) it does seem this conversation is going nowhere.

Mk Gonda

Level 2

375 points

May 4, 2006 12:13 PM in response to moretti

Most airlines keep the power at 75w limit/seat. Since the power comes from turbojets that actually powers the flight itself, it is not likely anytime soon for this limit to change. Its a safety factor thing...

As new aircraft come on line (i.e., A-380, B-787), maybe they might provide more power available but both of these new aircraft have far more demands for electricity that I somehow doubt it...

All that said, I just ordered http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspecindex.cfm?basesku=PNOTEAC150A
so I can use it on aircraft as well as auto for my MBP. I'll try it without battery and see if it does not exceed 75w limit.....

Mac OS X (10.4.6)

moretti

Level 1

5 points

May 4, 2006 1:05 PM in response to Mk Gonda

I checked out the specs on the APC adapter: looks good. The operating limit of the device is 3000 meters (9842.5 feet), so it should work fine in most planes which typically have a cabin pressure equivalent to 8000 feet altitude. (The B-787 is said to feature a cabin equivalence of 6000 feet.) I've often found it curious that Apple (and perhaps other) laptops are rated for a maximum operating altitude of 10,000 feet. I live at 11,500 feet and have never experienced any problems with my PB which I could attribute to the altitude -- the effects are always operator error. I've even operated my PB at altitudes here over 14,000 feet. (I hope AppleCare isn't reading this...) When arriving to the airport here, the cabin pressure drops from 108 bars (8000 feet) to 88 bars (13,300 feet), though most laptop users have shut down for arrival. Sea level is approximately 146 bars. The aircraft which service this airport have modified their emergency oxygen systems so that the masks don't deploy when they open the door on arrival. Forgive the OT ramble...

PB 17, PB 12 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

May 4, 2006 1:00 PM in response to Randall Jenkins

I save my passion for other stuff, but I have done the research and spent the cash. After buying three inverters, I can say none will "work." A 90w just blows out. A 120w works ONLY IF the battery is charged (meaning the machine does not pull power for charging). If the battery begins to fade (so charging kicks in), then the 120W flakes as well. (The simple solution to this -- remove the battery -- is very dangerous because it is extemely easy to disconnect the power cord). And a 150W inverter I bought shut down the power at the airplane plug. Some say this will work. I'd love to hear of anyone has gotten it to work.

moretti

Level 1

5 points

May 4, 2006 1:01 PM in response to Mk Gonda

Regarding the 75W/seat limitation, on a 757 the seating configuration is ABC DEF, with two Powerports (on American Airlines) shared by three seats. Perhaps there's an adapter that would bridge two Powerports... 🙂

the problem with airplanes and the MBP