Lower-cost third-party video accessories will work, too, if you want just video-out and no further data or power connectivity. That’s something we were hoping for and expected, but a question we’ve been getting a lot since Apple unveiled the all-new laptop design earlier this week. That means you won’t have a problem with external displays using third-party adapters, as long as they use DisplayPort signaling over USB-C.Īpple already has its own accessories, the AV Multiport adapter that offers HDMI, USB 3.1, and USB-C inputs, and a VGA version), but neither will come in the box with the new MacBook, and for many people, one will be a required separate purchase of $79. The new MacBook will work with DisplayPort alternate mode for video, and we’ve confirmed that means it will work with third-party video accessories as well. No proprietary MagSafe BSīut it’s not just batteries. One REALLY nice thing about new MacBook & USB-C:You will be able to use external batteries just like iOS devices. Apple has its own 29W power adapter that will come with the new MacBook. Many low-cost and compact designs should require nothing more than the standard USB C charge cable that comes with the new MacBook or an inexpensive USB A to USB C cable. Sources say that any battery solution that meets the USB Power Delivery specifications should work with the new MacBook, though the battery will need to push enough power to actually recharge a laptop. With USB-C, battery packs for MacBook should start to more closely mirror the market for iOS device batteries. After figuring out workarounds, a couple of companies have offered modified MagSafe solutions for charging MacBooks with external batteries- including Hyper’s Juice battery packs- but the complex solutions often cost a lot and have compromised designs that require a modded MagSafe cable or full-sized MacBook power adapter, like this AC/DC/AC/DC ChugPlug from Lenmar. Apple doesn’t let companies build accessories with MagSafe (though some slip by), and in the past has sent lawyers after companies that tried.
That’s a big deal since previously the market for external MacBook charging solutions was all but nonexistent, entirely due to hurdles with Apple’s proprietary MagSafe charging solution. Apple won’t be doing anything to block any specific types of accessories- in fact, it will even allow external batteries or other Macs (!!) to charge the new MacBook… Going forward, MacBook users can connect a USB-C multiport adapter to handle whatever accessories they want- USB-C can even support 4k displays using a DisplayPort Alt Mode.īut what accessories will the new MacBook support? Over the last few days, we’ve talked with sources close to the situation to find out what Apple plans on supporting, and whether there will be any limitations for USB-C accessories. The short and amazing answer is that most accessories supporting the USB Type-C specifications should work with your new MacBook.
After years of separate power, data, and video ports, Apple is now pushing USB-C as a replacement for its own proprietary MagSafe charging solution, as well as other I/O ports included on its previous laptops. USB Power Delivery also now allows non-Apple charging sources to power the new 13" MacBook Pro (Late 2016).USB-C has become the biggest topic of conversation following Apple’s introduction of the new 12-inch MacBook. We can also see that the 13" MacBook Pro (Late 2016) can provide 7.5 watts (5 volts 1.5 amps) and also consume either 15 watts (5 volts 3 amps) fixed, or anywhere between 4.75-21 volts 3 amps.Īs to be expected, the Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter works well with the 13" MacBook Pro (Late 2016) through USB Power Delivery Technology.
We can also see from software from Granite River Labs to confirm the 12 watts (5 volts 2.4 amps), 27 watts (9 volts 3 amps), and 60 watts (20 volts 3 amps) power delivery capabilities of the Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter. 3 amps when well charged as seen on the oscilloscope screenshot below. Using an oscilloscope, we can see that the 13" MacBook Pro (Late 2016) draws 20 volts. The 13" MacBook Pro (Late 2016) then accepts being charged at 60 watts (20 volts 3 amps). The Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter then declares it supports not only 12 watts (5 volts 2.4 amps) but also 27 watts (9 volts 3 amps) and 60 watts (20 volts 3 amps). The Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter first declares it supports 12 watts (5 volts 2.4 amps) which is then accepted by the 13" MacBook Pro (Late 2016).
To see how the Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter charges these Mac's, we use software from Granite River Labs to capture the USB Power Delivery Protocol transactions. Both the non Touch Bar version of the 13" MacBook Pro (Late 2016) and Touch Bar version of the Apple 13" MacBook Pro (Late 2016) come with the Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter which uses USB Power Delivery for charging.