Apple’s newest M5 MacBook Pro does not ship with a power brick in the box in Europe and the U.K. But this time, don’t blame Apple for the move.
The change stems from new EU regulations around energy efficiency and electronic waste reduction.
Don’t be shocked when your M5 MacBook Pro shows up without a charger
Apple stopped bundling power bricks starting with the iPhone 12 in 2022. But it continued bundling power adapters with MacBooks. This made sense since Macs require higher-wattage USB-C power bricks to charge at optimum speeds.
With the M5 MacBook Pro, though, Apple has finally drawn the line — the charger no longer comes in the box, at least in Europe and the U.K. But that’s not due to Apple being greedy.
Instead, a new EU e-waste regulation mandates that companies avoid bundling chargers in the box. The rule is based on the standardization of USB-C across devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones. That means most consumers already own a compatible power adapter.
While the law only requires manufacturers to offer buyers the option to skip the charger, Apple has taken things a step further. The M5 MacBook Pro ships without a power brick by default. If you want one, you’ll need to pay extra at checkout.
On a positive note, Apple is passing the savings to customers. It has reduced the price of the M5 MacBook Pro in Europe by €100.
The regulation only comes into effect from April 2026, but Apple decided to prepare beforehand and stop bundling the power brick.
No more power bricks with MacBooks in the EU
The upcoming M5-powered MacBook Air and higher-end MacBook Pros will likely follow the same trend. So, don’t expect a power brick in the box if you are in the EU.
The change only applies to MacBooks sold in the EU and the U.K. Apple will continue bundling a power brick with the M5 MacBook Pro in the US, Asia, and the rest of the world.
