Top-spec 13-inch MacBook Pros can handle 87W adapters, but benefits are limited

Apple's higher-end 13-inch MacBook Pros are equipped to take advantage of 87W power adapters, though users won't see any charging speed benefits from the change.

New 13-inch MacBook Pro models with four Thunderbolt 3 ports and 10th-generation Intel processors carry a dual power input rating of 20.3 volts and 3 amps, and 20.2 volts and 4.3 amps. That technically means they're able to accept power from Apple's 87W adapter that shipped with last-generation 15-inch MacBook Pro models.

Prior 13-inch MacBook Pro models, dating back to 2016, shipped with a 61-watt USB-C power adapter and support a draw rating of 20.3 volts and 3 amps. That has not changed on current low-end MacBook Pros, and Apple continues to include its 61W adapter with all 13-inch variants.

Sources told MacRumors that higher-end 13-inch MacBook Pro models won't be able to charge any faster, since internal charging settings are the same as previous generations.

However, some professional users may see a benefit with a higher-wattage adapter during demanding workloads. An 87W charger might also deliver a bit more headroom if, say, a CPU is maxed out while the MacBook Pro is connected to multiple external displays.

Users of the 13-inch MacBook Pro have long been able to safely charge using higher-watt adapters, though maximum charging speeds are capped at the machine level.

6 Comments

fastasleep 14 Years · 6451 comments

About 4 years ago

What does this mean, that you can drain the battery while on the chargers they ship with under heavy load? Weird. I don't see that happening with my 15" and its charger (but I do when plugged into my hub which only delivers 60W).

raoulduke42 11 Years · 86 comments

fastasleep said:

What does this mean, that you can drain the battery while on the chargers they ship with under heavy load? Weird. I don't see that happening with my 15" and its charger (but I do when plugged into my hub which only delivers 60W).

I would imagine it just means the battery will charge slower under heavy load. I doubt they would ship a power adapter with it that would allow for battery drain while plugged in— even under heavy load. Not that I’ve any evidence for this, so could be wrong.

raoulduke42 said:

fastasleep said:

What does this mean, that you can drain the battery while on the chargers they ship with under heavy load? Weird. I don't see that happening with my 15" and its charger (but I do when plugged into my hub which only delivers 60W).

I would imagine it just means the battery will charge slower under heavy load. I doubt they would ship a power adapter with it that would allow for battery drain while plugged in— even under heavy load. Not that I’ve any evidence for this, so could be wrong.

That makes more sense. I guess I was confused by what "deliver a bit more headroom" means.

karmadave 15 Years · 369 comments

The Dell 27" USB-C monitors will charge laptops up to 65watts. It will charge the 13" MBP no problem.

macgui 17 Years · 2471 comments

The 87W adapter will run cooler than the supplied 60W adapter on the smaller laptops. I lost a lower wattage adapter because I let it get too warm (longish story). I replaced it with a 85W adapter and was surprised at how much cooler it ran.