![Power Bank For Mac Power Bank For Mac](/uploads/1/2/4/4/124418037/406774808.jpg)
Is there an external power bank solution for my computer (for travel)? I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15 inch, Mid 2015) that uses a 85W MagSafe power adapter. Processor 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7, Memory 16 GB 1600 MHz DDDR3, Graphics AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2048 MB Intel Iris Pro 1536, Operating system macOS Sierra, version 10.12.6 (16G29). 1,292 power bank for mac products are offered for sale by suppliers on Alibaba.com, of which power banks accounts for 7%, charger accounts for 1%, and notebooks accounts for 1%. A wide variety of power bank for mac options are available to you, such as double usb, micro usb, and usb/dc.
Feb 13, 2020 USB-C Power Delivery (PD) output: We measured USB-C output by connecting a half-charged power bank to a Total Phase USB Power Delivery Analyzer, an Apple USB-C Charge Cable, and a 13-inch MacBook. Jun 10, 2019 With the 2018 MacBook Pro and other laptops with high-end configurations, users are often worried about the risk of low battery, particularly when traveling or using the laptop in a place without an outlet for charging. For the MacBook Pro, many users have found it a challenge to find a power bank that will efficiently and quickly charge the. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MAXOAK Type-C Power Bank for Laptop MacBook Pro/MacBook Air MacBook 2006-2018 at the best online prices at.
(2020 UPDATE: I no longer recommend this product! More information at the end of the article.)
As a bike tourer who prefers wild camping off the grid, I need a good solution for powering my electronics. Lots of methods are fine for phones and other USB devices, but a laptop - especially a Mac - is more challenging.
I couldn't do photography and blogging properly without some extra equipment with me. Besides the obvious DSLR, a laptop is also necessary for storing and processing my images. I prefer a MacBook Air for its excellent battery life, light weight and reliability. To power it, I considered all three main alternative sources of electricity on a bicycle tour:
- Wheel hub dynamos
- Solar panels
- Power banks
Right away it was clear that a dynamo would never be enough for me. I just don't cycle enough per day, and may stop to camp and take photos for several days or even a week. So it couldn't power anything when I need it the most. I didn't even bother finding out if there was an option available that could somehow supply power for the MacBook.
Solar panels were my main choice for a while. I've used a couple small ones before, and although those weren't very good, the technology has come a long way. Plus solar has a 'cool factor', which is very tempting. What kind of environmentally aware nomad wouldn't want to harness the green power of the sun? After some research, I had my eyes on the GoalZero Sherpa 100. It comes with a 20W panel and, more importantly, a battery with AC output that I could plug the Mac into.
While that probably would've worked, and been a true off-the-grid solution, there are many downsides. At $500 and 2kg (4.4lbs), it's expensive and heavy. With a capacity of only 8800 mAh, it wouldn't have charged my laptop to even 100% due to transfer loss. Also refilling the battery takes a long time, and I'd have to constantly adjust the panels to be facing the sun. And they may attract thieves - my last solar panel was stolen off a bike pannier while I was drinking coffee at a gas station. Ultimately not an ideal solution.
Finally I turned to power banks. After plenty of googling, I found the best one to be the Maxoak 36000 mAh K3 version. Compared to the solar option, it's much cheaper, smaller, half the weight, holds 4x as much power and doesn't require daylight, good weather, or frequent care. The only downside is I do need to plug it into a wall outlet. Fortunately those are easily available at any café, restaurant, tourist info, hotel lobby, or gas station I might take a break at.
The device has one 16.8V/3.5A output for charging Macs with either T or F Magsafe adapters, one USB-C output, and two regular 5V/2.1A USB outputs. There are four LED lights that tell you how much charge is remaining (0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, and 75-100%). And the package comes with a small pouch for storage. It takes about six hours to charge from zero, which is a bit of a wait, but still pretty good considering the huge capacity. For me in practice, that would mean either charging overnight at a camping ground (in the odd case that I stay in one), or doing smaller refills as needed.
So how much is 36000 mAh? That's enough to recharge my Android phone a dozen times, which means maybe two weeks of normal/heavyish use, or a month of light touring use. My 2014 MacBook Air, which has a much bigger battery, can be recharged from zero to 100% twice, meaning about a week or more of photo editing and blogging in my tent. This is plenty for my needs. The device also works with a MacBook Pro - but make sure your version is compatible from the Amazon site, regardless of the type of Mac you have.
I should mention there was a problem when I ordered this from Amazon. I was actually sent the K2 version, which is a Maxoak 50,000 mAh power bank for Windows laptops. To the credit of the seller however, they apologised, let me keep that one and immediately sent the correct MacBook version instead. While that added a little extra hassle and another two weeks of delivery time, it goes to show the seller is dedicated to fixing any issues fairly. Which is always a plus. I then proceeded to sell the K2, so even this mistake finished with a very nice discount in my favor!
In addition to the phone and laptop, this can even charge my camera via a USB charger for Nikon DSLR batteries. As well as the USB rechargeable headlamp that I carry. So it's a nice all-in-one solution.
The only issue is the size. This kind of capacity doesn't come in a small package, and the 1kg (2.2lbs) weight can be a lot to carry around. But if I want the added freedom of working anywhere, there's just no way around the extra weight.
![Mac Mac](/uploads/1/2/4/4/124418037/478987848.jpg)
Overall, this is exactly what I need on my bike trip and I'm happy to recommend it.
2018 update on USB cables:
After traveling and using this for a year, I still have no complaints. The Maxoak is one of my favourite pieces of equipment and has saved me countless times. Also my travel partner, who is notoriously bad with charging her devices, often relied on my power bank to keep some of her devices charged as well.
There is one issue that I didn't really consider in this article: USB cables. The quality of your USB cable has a considerable effect on your use of this or any other power bank. Because if the cable is in poor condition, it can lose much of the power in transmission. That means it will draw the same amount of power, but only a percentage gets to your phone or other device.
When you use USB cables, especially on the road, they twist and turn and wear out until the connection is not great anymore. I notice this when my phone stops and starts charging while being plugged in, which is when I replace the cable. Some USB cables charge slower than others, even when brand new. So don't buy the cheapest cable you find, because chances are it will charge inefficiently. As a rule, the shorter and thicker the cable, the better. You can read more information here.
Feb 2020 UPDATE: Desk for mac.
USB cables weren’t the only thing causing disruptions in charging. One of the actual USB ports itself loosened enough that current wasn’t flowing through unless there was pressure on the cable from the right direction. This still wasn’t a major issue, since the other port remained in working order for some time. Until that one also came loose, sometime after the end of my bike trip under much easier conditions.
This made the power bank much more difficult to use. I basically couldn’t charge on the road, since the device had to be perfectly still in order to work. When I asked Maxoak customer service about this issue, the emails I received were very unprofessional - curt almost to the point of being rude. After they asked me for the original order number, the reply was: “You did not buy our products. I have confirmed that you may have bought a fake K3.”
Now, what with Amazon being full of fake products and copies, this may be true. But since I didn’t receive any more information that would confirm this, I can’t be sure. Maybe they were just covering for a fault in the manufacturing. I asked which is the real K3 then, and received no reply, so I also can’t link to an actual product here.
Laptop External Power Bank
Either way I couldn’t recommend a company with customer service so bad they can’t even send decent emails. Furthermore, I’m tired of supporting the whole Amazon beast and Jeff Bezos empire. So I’m just going to remove all Amazon affiliate links from this website and order my things from stores that aren’t riddled with fake reviews and fake products, and that actually pay their employees living wages.
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Although all the Type-C Powerbanks can charge your MacBook, most of them are slow and don’t provide sufficient output. To break it down, based on charging MacBook’s can be divided into 3 types – the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and the new 16-inch MacBook. Both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13 inch charge at 30W of power. Whereas, the 15-inch MacBook Pro charges at 65W and the MacBook Pro 16 inch charges at 96W of power.
So we need power banks that not only have a lot of capacity but also are powerful enough to charge these batteries quickly. So, here is a list of the best power banks for your MacBooks that can also be carried on flights.
Best Power Banks For MacBook in 2020
1. Zendure SuperTank Portable Charger
Capacity 27,000mAh or 100Wh | Connectivity USB-C, USB-A | Maximum Output 100W| Dimension 4.7″ x 2.8″ x 1.6 inches | Weight 481g | Warranty 2 Years
If you want a dedicated power bank that’s sturdy and powerful at the same time, Zendure’s SuperTank is a great deal. It uses Samsung Powered cells and has a large battery capacity that can provide a maximum output of 100W. Besides the two USB-C ports that can churn 100W and 60W, you also get two USB-A type ports with 15W and 18W respectively. It can really handle any type of device and even if you’ve something as small as a wearable, it supports low charge as well.
The only drawback is that even though it’s portable, it’s still clunky, too shiny and almost looks like a miniature suitcase to me. All the ports are on one-side, with a capacity indicator at the center. The box has all the necessary items you’d require like a 100W USB-C to USB-C cable, cloth pouch, and a manual.
What’s cool?
- Samsung Powered Cells
- Enough number of ports with a max output of 100W
What’s not?
- Glossy finish; attracts a lot of dust
Get SuperTank for $191.99
2. Anker Power Core+
Capacity 26,800 mAh | Connectivity USB-C, USB-A | Maximum Output 60W | Dimension 7.09 x 3.15 x 0.94 inches | Weight 725g | Warranty 18 months
The Anker Power Core looks like a normal power bank but it does the job well. It is super sturdy due to the all-aluminum alloy build. In total there are 2 USB-A ports that provide an output of 15W and 1 USB-C port which churns out 45W. You get a 60W USB-C wall charger that can quickly charge your power bank. In the box, you get USB C to USB C, cable as well. It also comes with a case to protect the power bank which for me is an added benefit. So, if you have to power your Nintendo, your phone or your laptop, it’ll perform like a breeze.
What’s cool?
- Aluminum Casing
- 60W wall charger in the box
What’s not?
- Single Type-C port
Get Anker Power Core+ for $139.99
3. RAVPower Portable Charger
Capacity 20100 mAh | Connectivity USB-C, USB-A | Maximum Output 45W | Dimension 6.9 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches| Weight 521 g | Warranty 30 Months
The shell is made up of plastic and doesn’t really bother to look extraordinary. It is powered by a single USB Type-C Port which supports both inputs to recharge and output for other devices. What makes it different is that it comes with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology, so if you have a mobile device that supports it, you can take advantage of faster-charging speeds. While it can charge a phone multiple times because of its huge capacity, the strength lies in 45 W charge output that can easily charge a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. You get a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-A to Micro USB converter in the box, so you don’t have to purchase any extra accessories.
What’s cool?
- Supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
- Comes with USB-C to USB-C and USB-A to Micro USB converter
What’s not?
- Plastic Build
Get RAVPower Portable Charger at $55.99
4. Omars 26800mAh 90W Portable Power Bank
Capacity 26800mAh | Connectivity USB Type-C, USB-A, AC Outlet | Maximum Output 90W AC Output| Dimension 7.17 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches | Weight 1.6 Kg| Warranty 12 Months
Omar’s portable Powerbank is more of a power station. This Powerbank can charge any device. It supports USB-C PD, native DC charger and you can even use a solar panel if you’re up to hiking and have no other source. Indoors, it can be easily placed on a study table using the inbuilt stand and be used as a charging hub. Talking about ports, there are 2 USB-A ports that support Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 and also a USB-C port which comes with Power Delivery and supports a max output of 29W. If that doesn’t suffice, you can use the AC port to get a max output of 90W.
All in all,
Getting stronger Wi-Fi to these areas can be performed using extra hardware, like a Wi-Fi extender, powerline networking with a built-in Wi-FI hotspot, or if an existing network connection is. Wifi extender for mac. Netgear WiFi Range Extender EX3700: It's a dated-looking device, and it wasn't a terribly strong performer in my tests. The 2.4GHz band was able to sustain workable speeds between 30 and 40Mbps.
What’s cool?
- Built-in stand and a huge number of ports
- Both Qualcomm Quick Charger 3.0 and Power Delivery
- Supports solar charging as well
What’s not?
- Whopping 1.6 Kg weight
Get Omars 26800mAh 90W Portable Power Bank at $69.99.
5. RAVPower AC Portable Laptop Charger
Capacity 20,100mAh | Connectivity USB Type-C, USB-A, AC Outlet | Maximum Output 65W | Dimension 7.5 x 7.4 x 3.5 inches | Weight 1.08 Kg| Warranty 12 months
It has a rubberized look and you’d often get weird glances as it looks more like a speaker. The package is premium for the cost as it comes with a solid case with a strap and an extra bag for the charger. There are LEDs that tell you the battery percentage. All the ports are on top, which are USB A (5V/2.4A), USB C (5V/3A), and the AC port which can go up to 65W along with a button to enable it.
The only drawback is that it uses a DC charger which obviously doesn’t have a Type-C port.
What’s cool?
- Easily accessible ports
- Solid case
What’s not?
Filedrop for mac. The problem is, you’re limited to Macs running Lion or later for the feature to work, which is why a number of third parties have rushed to market to provide similar functionality for as wide a range of devices and platforms as possible.Filedrop is one such device, and currently works on both Windows and Mac, so is perfect for sharing files quickly and painlessly across a mixed network. Like AirDrop, it works on a single local network, with both wired and wirelessly connected computers. Apple’s AirDrop feature was designed to simplify the process of transferring files between Macs on a wireless network.
- Only uses a DC charger for charging
Get RAVPower AC Portable Laptop Charger $79.99
6. NOVOO Laptop Power Bank
Capacity 22,500mAH | Connectivity USB Type-C, USB-A, AC Outlet| Maximum Output 85W(AC) | Dimension 3.1 x 3.1x 5.8 inches | Weight 759g | Warranty 12 month
It has a very unique design and if you love soda cans, you know what I mean. All the ports are placed on the top of the power bank. It has one USB A which can go up to 18W max, USB C, and an AC port as well which can be enabled using the power button. It is smart as it automatically cuts the power to the AC port if it doesn’t detect a device within one minute. There is a battery level indicator to the side as well.
What’s cool?
- Looks like a soda can
- Automatically goes on stand-by when idle
What’s not?
- Inaccurate Power Indicator
Power Bank For Macbook Pro 2019
Get NOVOO Laptop Power Bank $62.99
MagSafe Converter
In case you have the older Macbook’s, you might be using the old MagSafe charger. While these can’t really extract the ease and functionality of Type-C port, you can replace it with a converter. You can either use a Magsafe to Type-C converter or a Type-C to Magsafe converter. Here’s another one if you have a different Magsafe 1 port.
Closing Remarks
Power Bank For Mac
Power Banks manufacturers have also dipped themselves in the innovation current. Similar to smartphones, they’ve become less bulky, have more power and can charge multiple devices at one time. A good example is Graphene power banks. Although the technology is still under development, it seems like the future ahead. While most laptops are capable of running for an extended period of hours, you have to have a safety net to fall on when you’re working remotely. So if you’re not sure if you’d be working on the beach-side or the mountains, pick one from the list of the best Power Banks to keep your Macbook running.
Power Bank For Macbook Pro 16
Also Read: How to Check Battery Health on the MacBook