Apple’s brand new MacBook Neo runs on the same chip as the iPhone 16 Pro, but doesn’t charge as quickly as the 2024 flagship iPhone. At least that’s what Apple says in the official spec sheet.
The MacBook Neo ships with a 20W USB-C power adapter, a choice that seems increasingly odd, especially since the device had the best Mac launch week ever among first-time buyers.
The MacBook Neo’s included charger is too slow
According to ChargerLAB’s testing, the Neo reaches a peak power of just 18W with the included charger. I recently saw a YouTube video that said it takes about four hours to fully charge the Neo, which I think is incredibly long.
However, things get a little more interesting when the Neo is connected to Apple’s 35W dual USB-C port, as the charging speed increases to 30W. If you do the math, that’s a 67% increase in charging speed with a single $59 accessory.
If you ask me, I prefer fast charging speed every day rather than waiting for my MacBook to reach 90% while I’m late for school or work. Although ChargerLAB doesn’t mention the time difference, the 35W charger should charge the device in significantly less time (around 20 to 30 minutes).
Will purchasing an even faster charger further increase charging speeds?
Not even slightly. In the test, the Neo was also charged with Apple’s 96W and 140W adapters. But both deliver the same charging speed – 30W – as Apple’s 35W charger. More watts, same result; That sounds like a very Apple way to spend money.
The good news? Third-party chargers from reputable brands rated at 30W or more can also reach the maximum charging speed of MacBook Neo, helping you reduce charging time from incredibly slow to moderately slow. So instead of spending $59 on Apple’s 35W charger, you can spend half the money (or probably even less) on a 30W charger and more and live happily ever after.
