

The two USB-C ports make it much more versatile and capable of charging more than one device at a time. I do like this new 35W Compact Power Adapter from Apple. The 67W model will be able to fast-charge the computer, so that will be money well spent. Apple is offering either the new 35W Compact Power Adapter or its 67W Power Adapter for a $20 upgrade. When the new MacBook Air becomes available in July, the $1,199 base model will ship with the older 30W Power Adapter, which contains a single USB-C port. The most common Apple power adapters that have come with MacBook Air (left) and iPad Pro (cener) don’t provide as much power as the new compact adapter (right). I've learned that no power adapter shape will work for all the outlet types you encounter in the wild, but I think this new compact one should fit most. After holding it in my hand and seeing it next to some other adapters, I think it accomplishes its goals of being smaller while offering more ports. When I saw the 35W Compact Power Adapter online, I was unsure about its shape. It is shallower and less wide while also supplying 35 watts of power.

This new compact adapter is essentially the same height as the 30W Power Adapter with a single USB-C port while laying on its side. TYLER HAYES On top is the Apple 30W Power Adapter, and underneath is its new 35W Compact Power Adapter. The Apple 20W Power Adapter is on top, and its new 35W Compact Power Adapter is on the bottom. However, plugged into a wall outlet it should sit flush and neatly. It may be too wide for some power strips. The first thing that struck me was the adapter's width. The new 35W Compact Power Adapter features two USB-C ports on the bottom and foldable prongs in the back. (Modern devices negotiate how much power they need between themselves and the chargers.) While more power will provide faster-charging speeds for some devices like the MacBook Pros or even the new MacBook Air, these faster speeds are less impactful on iPhones and iPads, with the iPhone 13 topping out around 22 watts and the iPhone 13 Pro Max achieving around 27 watts. In terms of more powerful ones for MacBook Pro laptops, Apple also sells power adapters in 67, 96 and 140 wattages.

That's no longer the case, thanks in large part to manufacturers standardizing charging around USB-C. They were huge, got hot and came with thick, permanently attached, messy cords. It wasn't too many years ago you needed a backpack to carry a laptop charger.
