HT204377: Apple Computers and Displays: Powering peripherals through USB

Learn about Apple Computers and Displays: Powering peripherals through USB
Azhizhin

Q: Is it possible to power a Mac Mini through USB to an External Battery Pack?

Is it possible to power a Mac Mini through USB to an External Battery Pack

For example to use on an on airlpane (portable) etc...

any help would be apreciated!

Mac mini

Posted on Feb 6, 2013 10:03 PM

Close

Q: Is it possible to power a Mac Mini through USB to an External Battery Pack?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Feb 6, 2013 10:06 PM in response to Azhizhin
    Level 10 (93,314 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 6, 2013 10:06 PM in response to Azhizhin

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities

     

    Unfortunately, the only way to use the Mac mini is to connect it to its power adapter, not from USB, just because your Mac won't detect it and it's not designed to work with a battery

  • by Azhizhin,

    Azhizhin Azhizhin Feb 6, 2013 11:10 PM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2013 11:10 PM in response to mende1

    I know their has to be some way of powering a Mac Mini from a battery pack !!...maybe some sort of adapting connectors for the power cable that turns it into something like a MacBook charger so I can use a hypermac battery pack!

     

    Need help ASAP!

  • by Chamar,

    Chamar Chamar Feb 6, 2013 11:21 PM in response to Azhizhin
    Level 4 (2,133 points)
    Feb 6, 2013 11:21 PM in response to Azhizhin

    If you do not mind performing major surgery on your Mac Mini you could try this guys solution.  Using Google you will find many DIY solutions.

     

    I use my Mac Mini on my yacht with an inverter from the 12V onboard batteries.

  • by Michael Wasley,

    Michael Wasley Michael Wasley Feb 7, 2013 12:07 AM in response to Azhizhin
    Level 5 (6,805 points)
    Feb 7, 2013 12:07 AM in response to Azhizhin

    Assuming that there is a way to provide mains power for a mini from batteries let's consider the issues when flying.

     

    Seems like a lot of stuff to lug around What about weight/size of the inverter (and would the airline let you take/use it)? What about a keyboard? What about a monitor?

     

    Exactly why do you want to do this?

  • by Creeper74,

    Creeper74 Creeper74 Feb 7, 2013 3:30 AM in response to Azhizhin
    Level 2 (364 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 7, 2013 3:30 AM in response to Azhizhin

    The USB port is not analogous to a cigarette lighter in your car.  You can't send power in the opposite direction.  Even if you did hook it to a battery pack, what were you planning on using for video output?  Your Google Glasses?

  • by Azhizhin,

    Azhizhin Azhizhin Feb 7, 2013 8:44 AM in response to Creeper74
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2013 8:44 AM in response to Creeper74

    I will mainly use this to work on video edits on planes,trains, and automobiles!...I know of a usb monitor that needs no power supply aside from a usb connection...So please if you guys know of any wire adapters that would adapt the current mac mini power supply wire to some sort of on the go battery that requires no surgery!

    I mean if You can run a mac pro on a hypermac battery pack their must be some way of running a mac min!!

  • by Michael Wasley,

    Michael Wasley Michael Wasley Feb 7, 2013 9:04 AM in response to Azhizhin
    Level 5 (6,805 points)
    Feb 7, 2013 9:04 AM in response to Azhizhin

    Azhizhin wrote:

     

    I will mainly use this to work on video edits on planes,trains, and automobiles!...I know of a usb monitor that needs no power supply aside from a usb connection.

     

    I mean if You can run a mac pro on a hypermac battery pack their must be some way of running a mac min!!

    As I understand it the Hypermac products provide DC and USB power for portable stuff like a Macbook Pro.

     

    Where have you seen they will run a Mac Pro and how do they do it?

     

    Backup batteries for mains power weigh in at around 30 lbs as far as I know only give a limited time to allow safe shut down in the event of mains failure.

     

    You seem to be ignoring the practicality of carting a mini, keyboard, monitor and power supply around.

     

    What you need for that application is a laptop.

  • by Creeper74,

    Creeper74 Creeper74 Feb 7, 2013 1:32 PM in response to Azhizhin
    Level 2 (364 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 7, 2013 1:32 PM in response to Azhizhin

    Here comes the follow-up question:  why does it have to be a mini?  sounds like you need a laptop.  i know they're priced at a premium, but you're doing this for work, is it possible to expense the purchase?

  • by Azhizhin,

    Azhizhin Azhizhin Feb 7, 2013 5:56 PM in response to Creeper74
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2013 5:56 PM in response to Creeper74

    Micheal I meant To say MacBook Pro*

    Yes it is for work but a Macbook Pro Runs around 2500 with pretty bad specs!

    I can buy a mini and gear(the gear btw is very portable and lightweight a foldable keyboard that weighs around 1lbs, my wireless mouse , and a ultra portable extreamly slim usb monitor which is slimmer than the beloved ipad!) For around $1200-$1300 with 16 gigs of ram and a quad core processor! Which is basically close to my imac but portable!

     

    If that explains the thinking behind my portable studio setup!

  • by Azhizhin,

    Azhizhin Azhizhin Feb 7, 2013 5:56 PM in response to Azhizhin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2013 5:56 PM in response to Azhizhin

    So if anyone has any type of workaround or something I am all ears and very eager to get this to work.

  • by Michael Wasley,

    Michael Wasley Michael Wasley Feb 8, 2013 12:45 AM in response to Azhizhin
    Level 5 (6,805 points)
    Feb 8, 2013 12:45 AM in response to Azhizhin

    Azhizhin wrote:

     

    So if anyone has any type of workaround

    Get a laptop.