Tongfamily (Richtong.com Sync)

Dave asked me what to get, well, I’ve been going through USB C cables like crazy and finally have found a reasonable combination for a MacBook Air is:

1. SOOPII 100W LED Display USB-C Cable. This is a thin and light cable with a nice LED display showing the power. It is really useful for figuring out why things are not charging. The main thing it does not have is high speed data.
2. CableCreate 100W LED Display USB-C Cable. This is a similar cable as an alternative. Seems to be the same electronics, but the housing is slightly different.
3. SplendoRoute USB 4 240W LED Display USB C Cable. This has it all, an LED dispaly, 240W Power Delivery and USB 4 speed. The main issue is that it is very thick and bulky. So only use if you it if you really need the 240W or Thunderbolt speeds and can get aways with 1 meter cable length.
4. DuHeSin USB C Magnetic Adapter 240W USB 4 40Gbps. The final piece of magic is a magentic adapter. These do tend to break if you get the L-shaped ones, but the straight ones don’t have a plastic housing, so hopefully will be more relaible.

MacBook Air Maximum Charging with iPhone

The last thing to think about is the charger size. The default MacBook Air charger is 30W, but if you get a 67W charger, it will fast charge. For the MacBook Pro 14″, it needs 96W and for the 16″ Mac it needs 140W.

So the ideal charger you want if you have say a MacBook and a phone is picking a good charger, which is suprisingly hard. My favorite brand, Anker has a dual USB C 100W charger, but it splits 45W/45W so not perfect for a MacBook Air, same with the Spigen:

1. Anker Prime 100W 3-port. This is their latest charger which has three ports, the first one is 65W maximum so well paired with the MacBook Air, the second is 35W which is good with say a MagGo three-in-one (see below). And then if you need to use it there is a 22.5W maximum USB A, but this drops the USB C to 65W maximum
2. UGREEN 100W USB C 2-Port. This is because while most two ports split the power with two of them at 45/45W each, this one splits it as 65W/35W which means your MacBook will charge at full speed. The main problem is that Fakespot says UGreen is not that reliable a supplier.
3. imuto 90W USB C Dual port. This is another one for just $24 that is 60W if you plug into C1 and 30w if you plug into C2. This is not quite at 67W but close

If you have an iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch

Finally, if you have an Apple Watch, I’d suggest pairing the Anker Prime with a

1. Anker MagGo UFO. This has Qi2 at 15W, a 5W Qi for your AirPod Pros and then an Apple Watch
2. Anker MagGo Power Bank Qi2. This is a nice white and Qi2 with enough charge for recharging your phone twice.

What to Carry it Around in, nedrelow’s

Steven, asked me for a list of what I use when I’m carrying stuff, basically I’ve come to depend on the fine wool made by Nedrelow:

1. magic sleeve for iPad or magic sleeve for MacBook Air. This is a nice size for the 11″ or 13″ iPad Pro. It’s all Merino wool with a magnetic closing. It also serves as a great deskpad when on the road. Regularlu $105, it’s on sale for $79 now. He used to make a separate sleeve that the MacBook fitted in plus an accessory holder, but no longer.
2. zipper pouch. These are a good size and two are perfect for just about anything.

When at home, Journey ALTI

Finally when we are home, I’ve tried lots of pads, but this ALTI Wireless Charging Desk Mat is wool (like the Nedrelow) and acts like a mouse pad, but for $130, you also get a charging are that isn’t fast, but has a space for your phone. It has a nice little rise, so the phone fits and a Qi sport for your Airpods. Now space for the Apple Watch though.