This post can be read along with the post Tech – cables galore.
In this post I look at the menagerie of cables and accessories I have for my Apple devices, namely MacBook Pro, iPad and several iPhones (6, 8, SE, 12).
My inventory of Apple hardware
The core of my collection of Apple hardware is my 2023 (black) MacBook Pro laptop, which has:-
- SDXC card slot
- HDMI port for digital video output (one external display at 4K resolution at 240Hz) and multichannel audio output
- 3.5 mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones (specifically for a tip ring ring sleeve which supports headphones with microphone, but there are numerous standards for this model jack)
- MagSafe 3 port (connecting to a 70W USB-C power adapter with a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable)
- Three Thunderbolt/USB4 ports, supporting charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s), and USB4 (up to 40Gb/s).
Adapter cables
Apple has an excellent page on Adapters for the Thunderbolt or USB-C port on your Mac.
Over the years I have accumulated a few adapter cables, namely:-
- An Apple USB-C to USB Adapter which travels with my MacBook Pro charger and cable.
- A white no-name USB-C to USB-C cable.
- A black no-name Thunderbolt 4 to Thunderbolt 4 cable.
- An Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (Model A2119). It’s designed to connect a Mac that has a Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C port to a display with HDMI. My MacBook Pro already has a HDMI connection to my external display, but this multiport adapter can be used to connect to USB flash drives. This adapter can also connect to the iPad Pro and the 5th generation iPad Air.
- An Apple S-Video to Composite (Model 603-2679).
- A non-Apple Mini DisplayPort to HDMI.
- A non-Apple DVI to VGA.
- A non-Apple USB 3.1 Type C to RJ45 Adapter.
- A non-Apple USB-C “docking station” with 2xUSB ports, 2xUSB-C ports, a HDMI port, and 2 different card reader ports.
- An Apple MagSafe (wireless) Charger.
- An Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C.
"Old" phone adapters
People don’t realise, or have forgotten, that before wireless there were phone cables. Above is my old “teleadapt” travel set for connecting my laptop to hotel phone systems.
For all those people complaining about wi-fi connectivity and speed, etc., just remember what it was like for us oldies.
This “vintage” collection was welcomed at my local recycle centre. All except the little phone cable reel in black, that now has a new home next to my old camera collection!
Apple power cables
My MacBook Pro charger and cable are the ones that came in the box, namely a 70W USB-C Power Adapter Model A2743, and the Space Black USB-C to MagSafe cable. It’s a shame that the laptop and MagSafe cable are Space Black, but the charger is white.
Over the years I have accumulated a variety of other Apple power cables and chargers.
I had, still in its plastic wrapper, the original Apple 03 Z622 0390 EU Power Supply Cable (rated at 16A 250V) for the Apple iMac 21.5″ (2012-2018). I’ve not been able to trace this exact cable, but the Apple 03 622 0390 is for the US Power Supply Cable for the same iMac, and rated at only 10A 125V. The screen plug was slightly angled to fit flush with the curved back panel of the iMac screen (which was not the case for later models of the iMac).
I also have EU Power Supply Cable 03 Z622 0157 (rated 16A 250V) used with an early version of the MacBook Pro. I have another three examples of the same cable, but manufactured by Volex, piece M2511. One of them has an Apple part number 590-5256, suggesting that all three were delivered with previous MacBook Pro’s.
Perhaps the oddest cable I have is an original Apple Swiss Power Supply Cable 13 SM622-0168, rated at 10A 250V (still in its plastic packing). The wonders of the Web lead me to a page dedicated to the plugs and socket-outlets for household use defined by SN 441011:2019 (specifically a Type 13) which are used in Switzerland and Fürstentum (Principality) Liechtenstein only. This was on the website of the Digital Museum of Plugs and Sockets. It was in 1986, that the International Electrotechnical Commission published IEC 60906-1, a specification for a plug and socket that look similar, but are not identical, to the Swiss plug and socket. This standard was intended to one day become common for all of Europe and other regions with 230 V mains, but the effort to adopt it as a European Union standard was put on hold in the mid-1990s.
My guess is that because I aways buy my MacBooks with a Swiss-French keyboard, I may have received a model actually destined for the Swiss market. I would have probably have used an and existing charger and cable, and then later sold the laptop on with a CEE 7 standard plug.
I kept only two of the EU Power Supply Cables, and took the others mentioned above to the recycle centre.
Apple AC adapters and cables
60W MagSafe Power Adapter Model A1344 for 100-240V AC 1.5A and output 16.5V DC 3.65A (for a iBook)
The 60W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter features a magnetic DC connector so if someone should trip over it, the cord disconnects harmlessly and your MacBook Pro stays put safely. It also helps prevent fraying or weakening of the cables over time. In addition, the magnetic DC helps guide the plug into the system for a quick and secure connection.
When the connection is secure, an LED located at the head of the DC connector lights up; an amber light lets you know that your notebook is charging, while a green light tells you that you have a full charge. An AC cord is provided with the adapter for maximum cord length, while the AC wall adapter (also provided) gives you an even easier and more compact way to travel.
Designed to be the perfect traveling companion, the adapter has a clever design which allows the DC cable to be wound neatly around itself for easy cable storage.
Compatible with MacBook Pro with 13-inch Retina display.
96W USB-C Power Adapter Model A2166 for 100-240V AC 5A, and output 20.5V DC 4,7A or 15V DC 3A or 5.2V DC 3A, with a MagSafe cable
The 96W USB-C Power Adapter offers fast, efficient charging at home, in the office, or on the go. It’s compatible with numerous USB-C devices and charging cables. Apple recommends pairing this power adapter with your 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021) using a USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable or USB-C Charge Cable to take advantage of fast charging, so you can go from 0 to 50 percent charge in around 30 minutes.
iPod USB Power Adapter Model A1102 (2005) for a 0.15A max input, and 5V DC 1A output
This was the original 5W iPod charger, and I think today the best option is the Apple 12W USB Power Adapter.
10W USB Power Adapter Model A1357 with input 100-240V AC 0.45A, and output 5.1V DC 2.1A
This was the 10W adapter for iPad, iPod and iPhone. It was discontinued some years ago, and was replaced by the 12W USB Power Adapter.
12W USB Power Adapter Model A1401 with input 100-240V AC 0.5A, and output 5.2V DC 2.4A
This is a iPad and iPhone charger. There are counterfeits of this charger, and here is a fantastic breakdown of the A1401, right down to its components and performance tests.
iPhone 5W Power Adapter Model A2118 input 100-240V AC 0.15A and output 5V DC 1A
iPhone Power Adapter Model A1300 input 100-240V AC 0.15A and output 5V DC 1A
Important – Apple issued a warning with its 5W European USB Power Adapter Exchange Program. Apple found that, in rare cases, the Apple 5W European USB power adapter (Model A1300) might overheat and pose a safety risk. This adapter came with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models shipped from October 2009 to September 2012, and was also sold as a standalone accessory. The replacement is the Model A1400 (see below). I had one example of this, and I sent it to the recycle centre.
4x iPhone Power Adapter Model A1400 input 100-240V AC 0.15A and output 5V DC 1A
There is a fantastic breakdown report of the A1400, right down to its components and performance tests. The conclusion was that this is a very advanced charger construction, with a stable output voltage, overload protection and low noise. It is interesting that Apple has dropped their own special coding in this charger and uses standard USB DCP coding, this means the charger can also be used for non-Apple equipment.
Detachable “Duckhead” plugs for Apple charges, namely 3 EU standard Wall Charger heads and 1 “folding plug” US Wall Charger head.
Apple 30 Pin USB Charging Cable for iPhone 4
Apple USB to micro-USB Charging Cable
Apple USB to USB-C Charging Cable
I have the World Travel Adapter Kit includes a set of seven AC plugs with prongs that fit different electrical outlets around the world, each laser-etched with the regions they are compatible with. For world travelers, this is the perfect kit to ensure power connectivity in most countries you may travel to.
The kit is designed to work with iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac notebooks. It is compatible with Apple USB-C Power Adapters, MagSafe, MagSafe 2, and MagSafe 3 Power Adapters, 10W and 12W USB Power Adapters, and Portable Power Adapters.
The AC plugs included in the World Travel Adapter Kit directly support outlets in North America, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Brazil.
