HT201700: Find the right power adapter and cord for your Mac notebook

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Jason Williamson

Q: 85watt supply on macbookair - is it safe?

I have an 85watt magsafe power supply that outputs 16.5 - 18.5volts. My new macbookair uses a 45watt adapter on 14.85volts. Will the macbookair be ok if I use a magsafe2 adapter on the old 85watt supply, as I would like to use it as a second charger.

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2013), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Feb 22, 2014 8:49 AM

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Q: 85watt supply on macbookair - is it safe?

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  • by Ralph Landry1,Helpful

    Ralph Landry1 Feb 22, 2014 8:54 AM in response to Jason Williamson
    Level 8 (41,782 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 8:54 AM in response to Jason Williamson

    The knowledge base article you reference says you can use a higher wattage power adapter with your MBA...but it is still prefered to use the correct power adapter if you can.

  • by Jason Williamson,

    Jason Williamson Jason Williamson Feb 22, 2014 11:45 AM in response to Ralph Landry1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 11:45 AM in response to Ralph Landry1

    Thanks Ralph, the higher voltage bothered me at first, but they are within 10% of each other, so I figured they would sell the magsafe to magsafe2 converter if it would cause trouble, and it will only be used when needed, the supplied 45W is its "home" charger. thanks again though for taking the time.

  • by Ralph Landry1,

    Ralph Landry1 Feb 22, 2014 11:49 AM in response to Jason Williamson
    Level 8 (41,782 points)
    Feb 22, 2014 11:49 AM in response to Jason Williamson

    You are welcome, Jason.  My preference is to see outputs closer to 12 volts for solid state electronics, but Apple says this is fine and since they built the things...

     

    When traveling, I just carry one charger, the iPad charger, for the iPad and iPhone and the MacBook Pro charger if that is along for the ride.  Since the connector is different there aren't a lot of options but two chargers in that case.