Mophie Powerstation AC grants USB-C MacBook 15 extra hours of runtime
Battery purveyor Mophie has debuted a large USB-PD external battery for USB-C devices like the MacBook and MacBook Pro, with one USB-A and AC socket for additional charging options.
The Powerstation AC was announced on Wednesday, and contains an inverter, and can provide 100W of power through a conventional AC plug, allowing for higher-drain devices to be run or charged through the battery with their own power adapters. The USB-A, USB-C and AC plugs are available concurrently, with up to 100W of charging happening simultaneously.
A single USB-C port provides 30W of power to a connected device, suitable for the fastest possible charging of Apple's 12-inch MacBook. The battery in the device is 22,000 mAh, with Mophie claiming that the Powerstation AC can deliver 15 hours of extra battery life for the MacBook, and one extra hour to a MacBook Pro connected to the AC plug on the battery.
The Mophie Powerstation AC will still charge the 60W 13-inch and 87W 15-inch MacBook Pro while the computer is off through USB-C, but will not maintain full power while either laptop is actively being used. It can also be charged by USB-C when connected to a computer connected to another source of power with a button-press.
A "Priority+ Charging" feature provides pass-through power to a device connected to USB-A before the battery in the unit charges. Charging of the battery itself is performed through USB-C.
The Mophie Powerstation AC is available now for $199.95. It includes a protective cover for the device and a charging adapter, but charging cables like USB-C to USB-C or any USB-A cables are not included.
The Powerstation AC was announced on Wednesday, and contains an inverter, and can provide 100W of power through a conventional AC plug, allowing for higher-drain devices to be run or charged through the battery with their own power adapters. The USB-A, USB-C and AC plugs are available concurrently, with up to 100W of charging happening simultaneously.
A single USB-C port provides 30W of power to a connected device, suitable for the fastest possible charging of Apple's 12-inch MacBook. The battery in the device is 22,000 mAh, with Mophie claiming that the Powerstation AC can deliver 15 hours of extra battery life for the MacBook, and one extra hour to a MacBook Pro connected to the AC plug on the battery.
The Mophie Powerstation AC will still charge the 60W 13-inch and 87W 15-inch MacBook Pro while the computer is off through USB-C, but will not maintain full power while either laptop is actively being used. It can also be charged by USB-C when connected to a computer connected to another source of power with a button-press.
A "Priority+ Charging" feature provides pass-through power to a device connected to USB-A before the battery in the unit charges. Charging of the battery itself is performed through USB-C.
The Mophie Powerstation AC is available now for $199.95. It includes a protective cover for the device and a charging adapter, but charging cables like USB-C to USB-C or any USB-A cables are not included.
Comments
Mophie says that AC-powered laptops like the MacBook Pro will get an hour, like the article says.
What is preventing these USB-C batteries from supporting USB-PD at 60W input and output? Is there simply not enough demand for component suppliers to produce a USB-PD controller capable of 60W+? Or are there inherent electrical issues that make it difficult to provide 20V @ 3A from a portable battery?
The market for USB battery packs is competitive enough that it must be impractical, the component doesn't exist, or the component is too expensive to include in a battery at this price point. (Given that Morphie is trying to sell this SKU is $200, I'd have a hard time believing that it's a component cost issue.)