Mac Book pro charging from 12v?

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Eddiex

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I have an older (2015) Mac Book Pro that I would like to charge whilst away from mains power.

I have solar and plenty of 12v sockets but, not being overly 'IT savvy', I'm not sure what I would need to charge my laptop.

I have seen all sorts online from power banks, leads and inverters but I'm none the wiser.

What do you use - is there an easy option?

Thanks
 
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First look for the output voltage of the mains charger, I think some are 19v. There should be an amperage rating on the label too. Then Google for the same spec 12v adapter.
 
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No need for an inverter, search for 12v car charger for the make and model of your laptop.

I have an ASUS laptop and use a 12v charger, no problem.

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LesW said:
No need for an inverter, search for 12v car charger for the make and model of your laptop.

I have an ASUS laptop and use a 12v charger, no problem.
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Yep I’ve got a 12v charger for my Mac book and it works a treat 👍
 
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I carry several power banks & use them to charge my MacBook when off grid so as to not deplete my batteries, they’re relatively cheap (mine came from a mix of b&m/Lidl/Aldi, can use for phones etc also, only really use them if not driving & it’s not good solar weather though otherwise via the inverter
 
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Manic said:
We used a pure sine wave 150 watt inverter ( it wouldn’t work on a modified sine wave one)
Click to expand...

Thanks - I see there are a few of these to choose from ranging from about £30 upwards to over £200. Will a cheap one do the job do you think? I'll only be using for the lap top.
 
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Carpmart said:
Yep me too I use a 12v charger on my MacBook Pro. It’s a nice quality one made by Power4laptops
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Found this one - is that similar to the one you have? Trying to decide - one of these or an inverter!

<Broken link removed>

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Eddiex said:
Thanks - I see there are a few of these to choose from ranging from about £30 upwards to over £200. Will a cheap one do the job do you think? I'll only be using for the lap top.
Click to expand...
Any should be ok as long as it’s a pure sine wave inverter, both our MacBook and Dyson animal wouldn’t work on a modified sine wave type.
 
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Eddiex said:
Found this one - is that similar to the one you have? Trying to decide - one of these or an inverter!
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As long as the output voltage is the same as your laptop, that would be fine.

I've bought a few 12v adapters (they are not inverters) from that company with no problems.
 
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Eddiex said:
Found this one - is that similar to the one you have? Trying to decide - one of these or an inverter!

<Broken link removed>
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If that’s the correct one for your MacBook then perfect. 👍🏻

They are near OEM quality, so much so I don’t bring the mains charger anymore.

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A bit off topic, but this is one of the things I like about my MacBook Air M1.

USB TypeC Charging. No adaptors or inverter - just a good USB point in van.
 
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I always use an inverter for my old MacBook Pro. You don’t need a very big inverter and power wise I don’t think it’s any different from getting a 12v charger. Why buy more chargers when as someone else stated every 240v device would need another charge cable?
iPad, phone and watch are all USB so not a problem. I only use inverter for laptop and e scooter charging at present
 
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Wissel said:
A bit off topic, but this is one of the things I like about my MacBook Air M1.

USB TypeC Charging. No adaptors or inverter - just a good USB point in van.
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Is the Air M1 worth getting, or better to go for a Pro M1 do you think, Wissel ……?:unsure:
No heavy editing work, but some photo manipulation…..
 
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AndyPK said:
Is the Air M1 worth getting, or better to go for a Pro M1 do you think, Wissel ……?:unsure:
No heavy editing work, but some photo manipulation…..
Click to expand...
I use my Air for both photo and video editing (Lightroom, Photoshop & Premiere Pro) with no issues at all. It really is an incredible little machine for the money.

No doubt the new Pro is better, but personally, I'd buy another Air if buying today.

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I've got a 12v adapter that churns out 16.5v rated max 60W that's been powering my 2013 MacBook Pro for the past nine years. Can't recall which online source I got it from now and no branding on it.
 
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Wissel said:
I use my Air for both photo and video editing (Lightroom, Photoshop & Premiere Pro) with no issues at all. It really is an incredible little machine for the money.

No doubt the new Pro is better, but personally, I'd buy another Air if buying today.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info - just ordered an Air M1, pick it up on Tuesday!(y)
 
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AndyPK said:
Thanks for the info - just ordered an Air M1, pick it up on Tuesday!(y)
Click to expand...

Hope you're happy with it (y)

Just in case you want to power it in your van, this is the USB port I use:

Amazon product ASIN B071WYF9HP
This will fast charge the Air M1 (and most other things) and I've had it running constantly since last August with zero issue.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
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When using the inverter I have problems with the touch screen on both iPhone and iPad. So, if you think your device has gone belly up, take it off charge and I bet it works okay.
 
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DumfriesDik said:
When using the inverter I have problems with the touch screen on both iPhone and iPad. So, if you think your device has gone belly up, take it off charge and I bet it works okay.
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That would suggest that your inverter might not be providing a clean pure sine wave. I have no problems with ipad or iphone touch screens when charging using my Victron inverter.

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Apologies for coming back to this subject - but not knowing much about electrics.................a question!
With the thought of buying a 300w inverter can you shed some light on this for me?

Is this correct - This is my Apple 'Mag Safe' charger which seems, to me, to require an input between 100 - 240v? If I plug the Apple charger into the inverter via the Apple 3 pin mains plug, the inverter then takes the 12v power from my habitation battery and converts it so it can be used in the Apple charger? The label on the charger states an output (that I assume is required to charge my Mac Book Pro) of 16.5v?

Will this draw on my 12v habitation system cause any issues with regard to overloading the 12v system's wiring - eg: overheating, melting wires etc?

I have both ordinary 12v sockets and Hella type ones.

Many thanks
 

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The 16.5 volts is what comes out of the plug charger you are holding. You plug the plug into 240volts (inverter) and it then reduces the voltage to 16.5volts.
 
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The only way to safely charge a Mac book pro without causing future power problems is with a pure sine inverter
 
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I used non apple charger and now full charge only lasts about an hour.
Go to the aple shop and ask there cause a lot stuff you buy to use on apple doesn’t work it just comes up non apple supported product
 
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