Macbook Pro Usb C Ethernet Adapter

Cables and adapters outfitted with USB-C take been becoming increasingly popular as smartphones and computers alike have adopted the standard, including Apple with its 12-inch Retina MacBook that launched in the leap of 2015. Accessories such as USB drives that make file transfers easier and larger docks take proven for users dealing with Apple'southward determination to include merely 2 ports on the MacBook: USB-C and a headphone jack.

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NewerTech'southward NuPower 60W USB-C Ability Adapter is less flashy than some of the new feature-intensive products, simply that's largely a positive. The Ability Adapter replaces Apple tree'south arranged 29W USB-C adapter to accuse the MacBook, with the added bonus of a 12W USB-A port to simultaneously accuse any traditional USB-powered device -- similar an iPhone or iPad -- from the same adapter.

As a replacement to Apple's power adapter, NewerTech'south accessory has a slight edge in providing simultaneous charge to a second device, making it a potentially compelling alternative for Retina MacBook owners. The added visual ataxia of thicker cables, nonetheless, might not exist worth the $59.99 price for some people.

Design

The NuPower adapter comes in 3 pieces: a principal body containing the USB-C, USB-A, and power ports, as well as a power cable and a USB-C cablevision. The primary device is four.two inches long, 2 inches wide, and almost 0.viii inches thick, and so it'south not that much of a cumbersome addition to a charging regimen, although plain more and so than Apple's bundled-in cable. The textile on the body of the power adapter has a soft-to-the-touch matte end that shouldn't hold fingerprint smudges, and has a prissy weight to information technology (four.8 ounces, according to NewerTech).

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Although I didn't put it under too much of a strenuous test, it feels like it could survive the bumps and bruises of a backpack, pocketbook, or anywhere charging cords commonly end up thrown without thought. An understated NewerTech logo resides on the height of the adapter and is the simply marking on the top of the device, while on the front the company has made it easy to notice the USB Blazon-A and USB Type-C ports with accompanying text. The bottom of the adapter is a bit of a text dump, with all of the cautions, warnings, and specifications written in brilliant white text, buffeted in between soft silicone bumpers that help everything stay in identify when on a solid surface.

On the cablevision side of things, NuPower's ability cable is about 8 inches short of Apple's 6.v foot USB-C charge cablevision, providing enough of clearance room for plugging up your MacBook. More length is added cheers to the 18.5 inch USB-C cable, not to mention the four.2 inch adapter itself, adding up to a charging solution that'due south nearly viii feet long.

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The ability cablevision is ane of the more than frustrating parts of the NuPower adapter, with its thick, corded material that never really lost the arranged-upwardly curves from the initial packaging it was in. Visually and functionally, it'southward but a noticeably non-Apple design, and that could bother people who are willing to spend the money on the Retina MacBook in the first place. The 18.v inch USB-C cable is a better in this regard, just information technology is much thicker than Apple's white USB-C cable.

Charging a MacBook and iPhone

NewerTech's merits that its adapter can charge "your USB devices up to 2X faster than comparable chargers," is evident but in computers that can take the NuPower adapter'due south loftier-powered charging speeds (with voltage up to 20V at 3A). The Retina MacBook isn't 1 of those devices, so speedier charging shouldn't be a purchasing factor for anyone looking at advantages of NewerTech'due south adapter.

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During my tests, the NuPower adapter fueled my MacBook upwardly from 29 percent to 99 percentage in 88 minutes, and my iPhone from 20 percent to 97 percent in just over 100 minutes. On the MacBook side of things, this makes the NuPower adapter substantially in line with the charge time of Apple tree'southward 29W USB-C showtime-political party adapter, and some other third-party options, similar Griffin's BreakSafe USB-C cable.

I just used the NuPower adapter within my house, but its bisected design could go confronting using it in a travel situation, where simpler options unremarkably take precedent. Otherwise, daily utilise of the accompaniment is largely unobtrusive, as any decent cable should be.

One large leg upwardly NuPower has over Apple tree's adapter is consistency. Every bit many reviews on Apple'south website confirm (myself included), its USB-C accuse cable can take a listen of its own. In my own experience, the worst of this is hearing the cable lose and reconnect ability to my MacBook, which later on dings in affirmation of a accuse source. This is something that'southward woken me up in the middle of the night a few times, with no ability outage or funky wall adapter excusing the occurrences.

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Apple'due south charger (left) and NewerTech'southward charger (correct)

I've just had the NuPower adapter for a week, but in that time I haven't had any similar experiences. Even with the middle brick hanging off of an ottoman or desk, the cables remained plugged and in place. It's even so recommended to have the ability brick on a solid surface, however, so keep in mind the 18.5 inch USB-C cable and 4.2 inch long brick that volition occupy infinite on your desk or whatever location you charge up the MacBook. Adding a 2nd device will only add together to the visible cable clutter virtually a MacBook, so anyone who likes to continue a clean desk might find qualms with the NuPower adapter, also.

Bottom Line

For anyone happy with Apple tree'south charging arrangement (or who finds information technology less of a deal-billow and more of a slight badgerer, like I did), the NuPower USB-C Power Adapter is a bit of a tough sell. The charging is identical, if potentially more reliable, and the improver of USB-A charging might be negligible to anyone with a smartphone or mobile battery pack, or even another nearby wall outlet. In my personal feel, when I'one thousand charging my MacBook, I divert to my iPhone, and vice-versa, so the requirement of charging both at once isn't actually a contingency I need to plan for.

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Merely if you're frustrated with Apple tree'due south own inconsistent USB-C charging cable and ability adapter, NewerTech'south $59.99 option is a valid substitute to accuse up your Retina MacBook, particularly if you find yourself charging an iPhone or iPad at the same time and have limited wall outlets available. The interconnected cable system may take some getting used to -- and those who prefer Apple tree's clean white cables will be disappointed by NuPower's bulky and bendy cords -- but otherwise NewerTech has made a device that's functional and reliable.

Pros
- No cuts or disconnects while charging
- Can charge a 2d device through USB-A
- Durable power brick

Cons
- With three cables when in total use, information technology can lead to ataxia
- Speedier charging feature is incompatible with Retina MacBook
- Doesn't carry Apple's minimalist blueprint

How to Buy

The NuPower 60W USB-C Power Adapter volition continue sale in early October on MacSales.com and Amazon for $59.99.

Note: NewerTech provided the NuPower 60W USB-C Ability Adapter to MacRumors gratis of accuse for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received.