New Mac. One less reason for an inverter

[Anachr0n]

The new Macbook Air that Apple just announced now has a separate power brick and cord. The brick's output is 30 watt USB-C. Now all you need is a 12 volt adapter with
at least 30w USB-C output and you can skip the inverter and brick. Something like this.

Voila! No more DC -> AC -> DC.

 

[gbaglo]

I have a 12V charging cord for my 2012 MacBook Air. Wasn't cheap, but it works.

 

[wetzk]

I have a 12V charging cord for my 2012 MacBook Air. Wasn't cheap, but it works.

Do they call that adapter an Airdo?

 

[jrb1947]

I also have 12V adapters for our 2015 macboook pro and chromebook. The TV is 12 V. The wifi amp is 12 V. The phones use the trailer's usb ports. Vacuum cleaner runs on drill battery. Only thing left to run off 120V is the coffee grinder. I have a 200 watt inverter for it.

 

[Defenestrator]

Nice. I have a 12V adapter to charge an older Macbook Pro, but it's total junk. If I'm actually using it heavily, like gaming, it can't keep up and gets ominously hot. The whole adapter's built into the plug and hanging off, so it tends to pull itself loose as well. Being able to use standard-ish USB-C PD means it should be easier to find something decent-quality.

 

[Anachr0n]

I have a 12V charging cord for my 2012 MacBook Air. Wasn't cheap, but it works.

Wow. With a MagSafe connector and everything.

Another benefit of the two piece system is that the wires inevitably fail at one of the ends. Now I don’t have to buy a whole new charger. Just a new cable.

 

[Mike Lewis]

I have a 12V charging cord for my 2012 MacBook Air. Wasn't cheap, but it works.

I have a 12V charger for my Mac laptop as well. I don't quite trust it, though-- it runs really hot when charging so I don't leave the laptop plugged into it when I'm asleep or not in the trailer. I wonder why Apple never made 12V chargers for their laptops.

 

[Brian B-P]

I wonder why Apple never made 12V chargers for their laptops.

Few if any computer manufacturers make 12 V DC input power supplies for their laptops - they're usually aftermarket accessories. I don't know why.

Apple did have a 12 V power cord for some earlier laptops, but they were just cords with connectors - those laptops were expected to run on the 12 volts or so that they would get from a car (or aircraft power-at-the-seat), and they sort of barely did.

 

[gbaglo]

This thread reminds me that if I decide to replace this six-year-old Mac Air, i should pay attention to compatibility with accessories ( like a charger ) that I already have. I'm not expecting to win.

 

[Brian B-P]

This thread reminds me that if I decide to replace this six-year-old Mac Air, i should pay attention to compatibility with accessories ( like a charger ) that I already have. I'm not expecting to win.

Good - keep your expectations low, and budget either to buy all-new everything, or to use a bunch of adapters.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Apple is big on planned obsolescence.....very similar to the automotive industry.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Few if any computer manufacturers make 12 V DC input power supplies for their laptops - they're usually aftermarket accessories. I don't know why.

IBM (now Lenovo), HP, etc. made 12V power supplies for their laptops. You can still find them. Apple didn't, forcing their users to rely on sketchy third-party 12V power supplies.

 

[vermilye]

While I don't believe they make them any more, this Lind 12V power supply for the Mac is well made, and only gets warm when my MacBookPro goes into overdrive (running the high power video card). If you can find one used, I recommend it. Comes with the older Mag connector, but Apple had an inexpensive adapter.

 

[RB Donath]

I also have 12V adapters for our 2015 macboook pro and chromebook. The TV is 12 V. The wifi amp is 12 V. The phones use the trailer's usb ports. Vacuum cleaner runs on drill battery. Only thing left to run off 120V is the coffee grinder. I have a 200 watt inverter for it.

Like you we had it narrowed down to the Coffee Grinder. After researching, I purchased a manual LIDO 3 Coffee Grinder @ $195-USD. At 3 lbs, dual bearings & Swiss Conical Burs it makes quick work of whole beans. Plus the handle folds & has a neopreme carry case with included tools. I rate this Grinder 5 Stars.

 

[Anachr0n]

Like you we had it narrowed down to the Coffee Grinder. After researching, I purchased a manual LIDO 3 Coffee Grinder @ $195-USD. At 3 lbs, dual bearings & Swiss Conical Burs it makes quick work of whole beans. Plus the handle folds & has a neopreme carry case with included tools. I rate this Grinder 5 Stars.

That’s a really nice manual grinder, but it’s almost the same price as getting the dual 6v battery upgrade. :-[. You take your coffee seriously.

That being said, it would take up a lot less cupboard space than an electric grinder.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Like you we had it narrowed down to the Coffee Grinder. After researching, I purchased a manual LIDO 3 Coffee Grinder @ $195-USD. At 3 lbs, dual bearings & Swiss Conical Burs it makes quick work of whole beans. Plus the handle folds & has a neopreme carry case with included tools. I rate this Grinder 5 Stars.

I bought one when they came out a few years ago and have touted it's merits here since. It is one of those quality built devices you take pride in owning. When making coffee for a group I have no problems getting folks to grind as it is actually enjoyable to use, it is so much easier than my last manual grinder, a Porlex.

 

[RB Donath]

I bought one when they came out a few years ago and have touted it's merits here since. It is one of those quality built devices you take pride in owning. When making coffee for a group I have no problems getting folks to grind as it is actually enjoyable to use, it is so much easier than my last manual grinder, a Porlex.

Agreed, goes well with our Escapes.

 

[Tford]

Apple is big on planned obsolescence.....very similar to the automotive industry.

Yup, and my iPhone SE that fits in a pocket and doesn’t look like an iPad on the side of my head when making calls is a good example.....perfect size and performance, but no longer supported by Apple.....

 

[Tigger1-ESC]

Yup, and my iPhone SE that fits in a pocket and doesn’t look like an iPad on the side of my head when making calls is a good example.....perfect size and performance, but no longer supported by Apple.....

I agree with your comment re iPhone SE size, however I do not agree that the SE model is no longer supported by Apple, please explain how your SE is not supported by Apple.

 

[Greg A]

We still have three SE iPhones and Apple still supports them with the latest updates and recently with battery swaps under their settlement. They are supposed to release a small lower price SE type model this spring, if not we won’t be going to stay with iPhones, just too big.