Here’s why you should “Not” get the 96 Watt Power Adapter on the 14-inch MacBook Pro!

Unless you use it like this

“Slow and steady wins the race”, we all have heard of this quote, haven’t we? Well, in this particular case, it is true.

Fast-Charging is not a gratuitous feature, that everybody in the Tech world would easily spend a form of cash to acquire. It permits the battery to attain its maximum potential, lightning-fast.

Apple introduced this attribute in the new MacBook Pros alongside the MagSafe 3 connector that looks downright gorgeous and, well, SAFE. You see, MagSafe is a connector that easily snaps off. So if an individual trips over it, it will not behave like a USB-C that pulls your extravagantly opulent Mac notebook along with it, on its journey to the floor; more commonly known as The END. 🤬😭

Apple presented MagSafe charging with an additional feature — Fast Charging. They established that it could fast charge a sheer 50% in a mere 30 minutes. Though, this feature is only applicable to the 14 and 16-inch Apple Silicon MacBook Pros.

So, why should you “NOT” buy the 96 power adapter for the 14-inch MacBook Pro?

If you are deep into technology, you should know that “Fast-Charging creates heat, that can make your battery health dip into the 80’s faster than when charged at a lower wattage.” It is not the speed of charging that degrades the battery. It is the heat that may build up, especially when compared to slower charging where heat can escape during the few hours when the battery is charging. If the temperature of the chemistry is below 40C/100F then degradation is not that noticeable. Charging itself degrades the battery, especially charging over 4V per cell(about 80% charge state) no matter slow or fast.

Let me first explain how a battery holds charge.

Lithium Ions

Lithium-Ion batteries are the types of metallic ions that are used in Apple batteries. This is because…

“ They charge faster, last longer and have a higher power density for more battery life in a lighter package.” — Apple

Apple has been using the same technology for years. They have a special procedure In which they fast charge the first 80% of the battery and then trickle charge the last 20%. Trickle charge is a process in which the computer stays on 80% of power until you need to use it. This feature adapts to the user’s work schedule to optimise battery charging and performance. It is healthier for the battery to stay under 80% of charge as Lithium Ions do not want to be fully charged all the time, or be without charge(depleted). They like to stay half-and-half, 50% to be exact.

Does that mean that you should keep your battery on a mere 50% percent of charge to extend its battery’s life?

No!

Now, let us get back on track to the central theme of Fast-charging. Let me break the tension. For most of you out there, fast-charging is NOT a problem….. but for those who keep their MacBooks connected to a Display or Power adapter most of the time, it is detrimental.

User Habits

One of the critical limitations of fast-charging is that it expedites lithium-ion batteries’ optimum and usable life. Apple specifically mentions that these batteries have limited charge and discharge cycles. Their internal integrity starts to degrade and fail upon reaching the maximum limit(1000 cycles) until their charge capacities become noticeably restricted. After around 1000 cycles, the battery will reach 80 percent of its maximum capacity.

The problem with fast charging is that it can create an extensive habit of heavy usage in which PRO users do not mind using their devices extensively and draining their batteries, and in the process, they are much easier to charge up back to 100% again……And in doing so, accelerates the charge-discharge cycle of lithium-ion batteries.

Constant charging

Users who use external monitors or charge this machine for long periods can cause significant damage to a computer of this kind. Think of it like this, the 14-inch MacBook Pro has less surface area and fan size to dissipate the heat generated by fast-charging when compared to the more expensive, 16-inch version.

This constant charging is also exhibited when the user connects their MacBooks to an external display, which charges it. That can further overheat the computer, which degrades battery health.

Overcharging your MacBook Pro can generate a lot of unnecessary heat. Non-standard battery chargers can continue to charge the battery even after it is full, this will definitely damage the battery. However, this is not normally a problem if you use the original charger. When the battery is fully charged, the power supply disconnects the charging circuit, so that does not charge the loaded battery anymore. But sometimes, systems can fail and lead to extra heat being generated.

If you fall into these categories, you should worry about your MacBooks battery health.

Fast charging usually is OK for devices.

If you don’t, then there is some extra information you should keep in mind, as it does not matter to you!

Thanks for Reaching the END!

But, before you move on with your lives, Get a Medium Membership! and request kindly support me(a budding blogger) by following me and clapping on this article!

Peace!

✌🏻