There are so many electronic devices scattered around our homes and offices that a multi-port charger makes sense. The Minix Neo P2 can share up to 100 watts of power with a MacBook, iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch all at the same time. Or it can charge your Mac at full power. Plus, the wall adapter is portable and can be used in power sockets around the world.
I used the accessory as my primacy charger for weeks to keep almost all my devices going. Here’s how it stood up in the real world.
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Minix Neo P2 review
Sure, you can use a bunch of individual chargers crowded into a power strip, but it’s messy. The Minix Neo P2 is a simpler, smaller, neater solution, replacing up to four power adapters with a single wall unit.
Plus, frequent travelers should keep something like this in their suitcase all the time. Don’t try to remember to pack the chargers for your Mac, iPhone, etc. for every trip. You’ll eventually forget, and be forced to buy an over-priced charger in an airport or convenience store.
Overall design
The Neo P2’s design mixes portability and capability. It puts out a full 100W — more than any Apple charger. But it’s much smaller than MacBook chargers, and offers more ports. Minix used gallium nitride (GaN) chips in the design, which keeps the size down. That’s why the power adapter is so much smaller than Apple’s.
The third-party option 3.3 inches (85.0mm) long by 2.4 in. (62.0mm) wide and 1.2 in. (30.0mm) thick. That makes it roughly the size of two packs of cards. Minix’s accessory fits easily in a backpack, but isn’t truly pocketable. It certainly fits easily in a suitcase.
The look is black plastic, with curved edges and corners. Over weeks of use, the casing of my review unit got a scratch or two, but that’s what happens with plastic. It’s ideal to stick in a wall behind a potted plant or something.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Four Ports
On the front of the Neo P2 is a pair of USB-C ports that support Power Delivery 3.0 for your MacBook or iPad. Or charge your iPhone 12 with the USB-C cable Apple provided.
Minix also built in a pair of USB-A ports. These can power up your Apple Watch, Nintendo Switch, or other gadget. Or use an old USB-A cable to charge your iPhone. It supports Quick Charge 3.0, but Apple doesn‘t.
US and international use
This charger has built-in electrical prongs so it plugs right into a wall socket. A white LED on the front lights to show it’s receiving power.
In my testing, the device stayed plugged in, even with multiple cables attached. But the adapter is so wide it doesn’t always make room for other items to be plugged into the same socket or power strip.
The integrated prongs are for the North American power grid, but Minix includes slide-on adapters for electrical sockets in the UK and EU. These attach easily, over the built-in prongs. And the Neo P2 can handle the various currents and voltages in these countries.
Minix Neo P2 performance
This power adapter puts out a total of 100 watts, which beats the 92W offered by the 16-inch MacBook Pro charger. But that power has to be shared between all four of its ports.
Each of the USB-C ports can put out 100W when used by itself. But if you plug in two devices, they have to split the total. An iPad can receive up to 30W, and iPhone can take in 20W at most. MacBook wattage varies by model.
The two USB-A ports max out at Max 18W each. But iPhones will only accept 12W from a USB-A connection.
To test the Neo P2, I had it juice up a 2020 iPad Pro. Starting with the battery flat, after 30 minutes the power level was at 32%. It was at 64% after an hour. That’s the same rate as other chargers that provide the maximum amount of power the tablet can receive.
Next, I tested it with an iPhone 12. Half an hour of charging put the battery level at 57%. A full hour raised the handset’s battery to 84%.
Heat can sometimes be a problem with chargers, but not this one. Even with all four ports sending current to different devices, it never got more than warm thanks to its high-density heat sinks.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Minix Neo P2 final thoughts
This multi-port charger can help keep your desk organized. It’s a better solution than using four separate chargers in a power strip. Or you can leave those at home at get the Neo P2 for your office, or for travel.
Minix’s power adapter can charge your MacBook at full speed. You can find smaller third-party chargers, but they probably won’t offer as much wattage or as many ports.
Pricing
Minix distributes its products through Amazon. In the U.S., the Neo P2 is $59 on the online shopping behemoth’s web site.
Compare that to the Apple 96W USB-C Power Adapter, which goes for $79 despite being bulkier and with fewer ports.
Comparable products
A strong alternative is the Aukey Omnia Mix3 ($49.99). This offers 90W of power in a smaller casing, and has a pair of USB-C ports plus a single USB-A one.
Or there’s the Minix Neo P1 ($34.90). It’s even smaller than Aukey’s wall charger, and still makes room for dual USB-C ports and a single USB-A one. But it can only put out 66W.
Minix provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
