Forums
New posts
Articles
Product Reviews
Policies
FAQ
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Notebook Hardware
Can anyone demystify USB C charger compatibility with my M1 Macbook Air?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="MacInWin" data-source="post: 1912448" data-attributes="member: 396914"><p>Well, first off the ports on an M1 MBA are not USB-c, but Thunderbolt 3, USB4. Yes, they are different.</p><p></p><p>First, here is a screen capture from Apple on the tech specs of an MBA/M1:</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]36440[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>And here is a discussion of the various features of USB-c ports (yes, it's confusing):</p><p>[URL unfurl="true"]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Power_issues_with_cables[/URL]</p><p></p><p>And a discussion of TB/USB 4 protocols:</p><p>[URL unfurl="true"]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)[/URL]</p><p></p><p>The bottom line is that many things may be USB-c (i.e., the plug fits and works for some functions), but not fully TB/USB 4 compliant. </p><p></p><p>From your description, I would say the Lenovo charger is NOT Thunderbolt/USB4 compliant, but the plug is USB-c, so it fits but doesn't work. The Anker unit seems to be able to accept a USB-c unit with power and transfer it to the TB/USB4 output for you. </p><p></p><p>All speculation, but seems to fit your experience.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MacInWin, post: 1912448, member: 396914"] Well, first off the ports on an M1 MBA are not USB-c, but Thunderbolt 3, USB4. Yes, they are different. First, here is a screen capture from Apple on the tech specs of an MBA/M1: [ATTACH type="full"]36440[/ATTACH] And here is a discussion of the various features of USB-c ports (yes, it's confusing): [URL unfurl="true"]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Power_issues_with_cables[/URL] And a discussion of TB/USB 4 protocols: [URL unfurl="true"]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)[/URL] The bottom line is that many things may be USB-c (i.e., the plug fits and works for some functions), but not fully TB/USB 4 compliant. From your description, I would say the Lenovo charger is NOT Thunderbolt/USB4 compliant, but the plug is USB-c, so it fits but doesn't work. The Anker unit seems to be able to accept a USB-c unit with power and transfer it to the TB/USB4 output for you. All speculation, but seems to fit your experience. [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Notebook Hardware
Can anyone demystify USB C charger compatibility with my M1 Macbook Air?
Top