Apple’s “thin and light” approach for its latest laptops totally breaks down when it comes to charging, due to the sizable power adapter that ships with the computers. Luckily, a tiny new USB-C charger will let you leave Apple’s ungainly charging brick at home.
The DART-C, which manufacturer FINsix calls “the world’s smallest charger for USB Type-C laptops,” might prove irresistible for travelers looking to shave a few ounces off their mobile load.
Announced today and coming early next year, the $99 DART-C pumps out 65 watts, more than enough for an Apple laptop. A USB port built into the charger’s 6-foot cord means it can simultaneously juice up a MacBook and an iPhone or another device.
“With DART-C, we continue to lighten the load for travelers who want to power up with style and reliability,” said Vanessa Green, FINsix CEO, in a press release. “The DART family’s newest member demonstrates our ongoing commitment to provide a new class of the smallest and lightest high-performance power electronics to meet the needs of the mobile consumer.”
FINsix released its previous model, called simply the DART, in September and it’s getting great reviews on Amazon from PC users. People love the size and the astonishingly light weight — the original DART comes in at just 85 grams. The biggest complaint seems to be that the charging prongs don’t fold up or retract.
A travel-ready USB-C charger for MacBooks
Like the regular DART, the USB-C version will arrive in an array of colors: black, blue, gunmetal, magenta, orange and silver.
Owners of the previous version can pick up a USB-C cable accessory for $35. The cable comes with an inline 2.1 amp USB port and makes the original DART work with new MacBooks as well as other USB-C laptops like the Dell XPS 13, Lenovo ThinkPad 13 or ASUS ZenBook 3.
If you’ve got one of the new MacBook Pros or the super-svelte 12-inch MacBooks, you obviously place an emphasis on portability. And you also know the simple joy (and/or the donglefied pain) of living in USB-C land.
The DART-C is available for preorder now from FINsix, with shipping set for January 2017. Honestly, how can you not order one for your next trip?
Source: FINsix
Lewis Wallace is the managing editor of Cult of Mac and author of our weekly newsletter, The Weekender.
He’s a San Francisco-based writer and editor specializing in technology and culture. He loves his iPhone, hates Siri, and appreciates any hardware that combines form and function.
Prior to Cult of Mac, he juggled words and ideas as culture editor at Wired.com, homepage editor at TechTV, news product manager at NBCi, copy editor at PC World, reporter at The (Hayward) Daily Review and editor in chief of EveryBody’s News in Cincinnati.
He earned a bachelor of general studies degree with a journalism certificate from the University of Cincinnati. While in school, he worked as the entertainment editor of The News Record and as editor in chief of Clifton Magazine.
He’s also a bass player, who’s recorded and performed around the United States with Those Darn Accordions, The Electric Boogie Dawgz and The Mad Maggies. When not writing, editing or laying down bass lines, he plays darts and serves on the board of the San Francisco Darts League.
4 responses to “This tiny USB-C charger will juice up your MacBook Pro”
There is a generic version of that one year ago on Taboo(Chinese ebay equivalent) for less than US$20.
Sure, if you prefer to get electrocuted to save a few $$
Unless you live in a cave, you must have seen the warning about all the counterfeit power supplies that are a true safety hazard.
People have died because of fake chargers. This is not a joke.
Those ain’t fake, they just don’t need to spend money to brand themselves. You really have no idea how cheap SiC MOSFET power transistor really are.
I’m not saying all other chargers are safe, there are definitely a hell lot of bad quality ones out there.
You can find all sort of gadgets in Shenzhen at a bargain, all you need is the ability to distinguish the bad one
So this idea is, “if you are stupid enough to pay that much for MBPw/TB, surely you will part with another $100 for a charger. Mylanta. I actually am interested in another charger, but I don’t need some nitwits thinking they are going to charge 30% more than the already ridiculous Apple prices. I am camping on eBay just waiting for the Chinese entrepreneurs to start cranking them out for $12. Before you start citing research about fake chargers, most of mine are and they all work like a champ.