The power adapters provided with the MacBook Air M4 and MacBook Pro M4 differ significantly in terms of wattage and charging capabilities.
MacBook Air M4 Power Adapter
The MacBook Air M4 typically comes with a 35W or 70W USB-C Power Adapter. These adapters are compatible with USB-C and MagSafe 3 cables, allowing for both standard and fast charging capabilities. Fast charging on the MacBook Air can be achieved using a combination of a suitable power adapter (such as a 67W, 70W, or higher) and a USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable or a USB-C charge cable[3][9][10].
MacBook Pro M4 Power Adapter
The MacBook Pro M4 models come with different power adapters based on their configurations:
- 14-inch MacBook Pro M4: This model is typically supplied with a 70W USB-C Power Adapter, but it is also compatible with a 96W USB-C Power Adapter for fast charging[7].
- 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro and M4 Max: These models are equipped with a 140W USB-C Power Adapter and a USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable. This setup supports fast charging, allowing users to quickly replenish the battery[1][3][8].
Key Differences
1. Wattage: The most significant difference is the wattage of the power adapters. The MacBook Air M4 uses adapters with lower wattage (35W or 70W), while the MacBook Pro M4 models use higher wattage adapters, with the 16-inch models using a 140W adapter.
2. Charging Speed: The higher wattage adapters in the MacBook Pro M4 models enable faster charging, especially when combined with the MagSafe 3 cable or a compatible USB-C cable.
3. Port Compatibility: Both models use USB-C ports for charging, but the MacBook Pro M4 models, especially the M4 Pro and M4 Max, support Thunderbolt 5, which offers faster data transfer rates and potentially higher charging capabilities, though the maximum charging wattage remains capped at 140W for these models[1][4][6].
Citations:[1] https://support.apple.com/en-us/121554
[2] https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/
[3] https://www.hoxtonmacs.co.uk/blogs/news/what-charger-do-i-need-for-my-macbook
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1goo5s4/what_is_the_max_charging_wattage_for_the_macbook/
[5] https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255866656
[6] https://www.macrumors.com/guide/macbook-air-vs-macbook-pro/
[7] https://support.apple.com/en-us/121552
[8] https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mbp-16-m4-apple-140w-usb-c-power-adapter-alternatives.2448822/
[9] https://support.apple.com/en-us/102378
[10] https://support.apple.com/en-us/109509