Magsafe to USB-C converter for charging Macbook Pro 2016 [duplicate]
I have a few standard MagSafe 2 chargers left and want to use it with my new MacBook 12.
Are there any adapters I can use to convert these Magsafe chargers into USB-C chargers that work with the MacBook 12" or 2016 Macbook Pro?
Solution 1:
Many marketers will ship and are shipping MagSafe to USB-C Adapter on the market:
http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how-about-a-magsafe-to-usb-c-converter.1877907/
I bought two Magsafe to USB-C Adapter on Aliexpress but neither works.
The powering light on Magsafe-Connector is on and in the apple menu the battery loading symbol is active for a few seconds but the battery is actually not loading. The merchant gave me a refund after i showed him a video of the attempt.
Be sure you understand the return policy if you aren't willing to eat the cost for testing aftermarket chargers.
Solution 2:
Such a product can not exist: Apple has patented MagSafe technology and thus such a product would be illegal. Even if it were made, your MacBook would likely detect it as a fake charger and stop itself from charging like iOS devices do.
However, you can easily plug an inexpensive USB to USB-C cable into a standard USB port on the back of your Thunderbolt Display and charge your USB-C MacBook from there. Here's one such cable on Amazon for $11.
This is a safer, simpler, more reliable, and less warranty-voiding way to charge your 2016 MacBook Pro directly from a monitor (like the Apple Cinema or Thunderbolt displays) without using up another outlet for your laptop power supply (or spending nearly $100 on a new power adapter and cable from Apple).
I have personally used the linked cable; it works just fine charging my usb-c devices.
Note: Just about any USB to USB-C cable will work here, just look for one with a Benson seal of approval like the one I linked.
Note 2: User bmike adds that you should be sure to get a USB-C cable that supports power delivery; the one I linked to does.
Solution 3:
Not to be contrarian, but you would come out better if you sold your existing MagSafe adapters and bought USB-C PD adapters. There are some really great ones like:
- Anker 60W - $40 on Amazon
- Apple's 29/61/87W models
I expect battery units within a few months that also provide appropriate current connectors so you can avoid needing wall power in the first place. Since this is a standard, more and more displays, power strips and third party chargers will be hitting the market since you initially bought your MacBook "One".
Better being:
- better in cost
- more efficient and higher charging voltage with less current
- less need to remember a connector
- lighter and/or more compact
- better reuse of your older adapters (people will pay good money for working MagSafe and also working MacSafe parts for their needs since Apple doesn't sell them directly)
- newer power adapters for your MacBook
See http://www.anandtech.com/show/8539/usb-power-delivery-v20-and-billboard-device-class-v10-specifications-finalized for a nice consumer overview of why USB PD 2.0 is a good standard for charging going forward.