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New Mac Powerbook

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Having a single product line, with both Intel and Apple silicon versions, is just a recipe for trouble - no one wants to drop $1,299 on a new MacBook, only to have picked the 'wrong' one. May 04, 2020. May 08, 2020.

Reinstall from macOS Recovery

macOS Recovery makes it easy to reinstall the Mac operating system, even if you need to erase your startup disk first. All you need is a connection to the Internet. If a wireless network is available, you can choose it from the Wi-Fi menu , which is also available in macOS Recovery.

1. Start up from macOS Recovery

To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following sets of keys on your keyboard. Release the keys when you see an Apple logo, spinning globe, or other startup screen.

Command (⌘)-R

Reinstall the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac (recommended).

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.

Shift-Option-⌘-R

Reinstall the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

You might be prompted to enter a password, such as a firmware password or the password of a user who is an administrator of this Mac. Enter the requested password to continue.

When you see the utilities window, you have started up from macOS Recovery.

2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk

You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, or you have an issue that requires you to erase. If you need to erase before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. Learn more about when and how to erase.

3. Install macOS

When you're ready to reinstall macOS, choose Reinstall macOS from the Utilities window. Then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. You will be asked to choose a disk on which to install.

  • If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
  • If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.
  • If the installer is for a different version of macOS than you expected, learn about macOS Recovery exceptions.
  • If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.

Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

Mac Powerbook G4

If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.

Powerbook

macOS Recovery exceptions

The version of macOS offered by macOS Recovery might vary in some cases:

  • If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later has never been installed on this Mac, Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. And Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.
  • If you erased your entire disk instead of just the startup volume on that disk, macOS Recovery might offer only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. You can upgrade to a later version afterward.
  • If your Mac has the Apple T2 Security Chip and you never installed a macOS update, Option-Command-R installs the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
  • If you just had your Mac logic board replaced during a repair, macOS Recovery might offer only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.

Generic usb joystick driver. If you can't get macOS Recovery to offer the installer you want, you might be able to use one of the other ways to install macOS.

Other ways to install macOS

  • You can also install macOS from the App Store or Software Update preferences. If you can't install macOS Catalina, you might be able to install an earlier macOS, such as macOS Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite.
  • Or create a bootable installer disk, then use that disk to install macOS on your Mac or another Mac.

Power adapters for Mac notebooks are available in 29W, 30W, 45W, 60W, 61W, 85W, 87W, and 96W varieties. You should use the appropriate wattage power adapter for your Mac notebook. You can use a compatible higher wattage power adapter without issue, but it won't make your computer charge faster or operate differently. If you use a power adapter that is lower in wattage than the adapter that came with your Mac, it won't provide enough power to your computer.

Mac notebooks that charge via USB-C come with an Apple USB-C Power Adapter with detachable AC plug (or 'duckhead'), and a USB-C Charge Cable.

Mac notebooks that charge via MagSafe come with an AC adapter with MagSafe connector and detachable AC plug, and an AC cable.

The images below show the style of adapter that comes with each MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air. If you're not sure which model Mac you have, use these articles:

USB-C

Apple 29W or 30W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

Powerbook G4 Value

  • MacBook models introduced in 2015 or later

Apple 30W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

  • MacBook Air models introduced in 2018 or later

New Mac Power Book

Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

  • 13-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2016 or later

Apple 87W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

  • 15-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2016 or later

Apple 96W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

  • 16-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2019

Make sure you're using the correct USB-C charge cable

For the best charging experience, you should use the USB-C charge cable that comes with your Mac notebook. If you use a higher wattage USB-C cable, your Mac will still charge normally. USB-C cables rated for 29W or 30W will work with any USB-C power adapter, but won't provide enough power when connected to a power adapter that is more than 61W, such as the 96W USB-C Power Adapter.

You can verify that you're using the correct version of the Apple USB-C Charge Cable with your Mac notebook and its USB-C AC Adapter. The cable's serial number is printed on its external housing, next to the words 'Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.'

  • If the first three characters of the serial number are C4M or FL4, the cable is for use with an Apple USB-C Power Adapter up to 61W.
  • If the first three characters of the serial number are DLC, CTC, FTL, or G0J, the cable is for use with an Apple USB-C Power Adapter up to 100W.
  • If the cable says 'Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China' but has no serial number, you might be eligible for a replacement USB-C charge cable.

MagSafe 2

85W MagSafe power adapter with MagSafe 2 style connector

  • 15-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2012 through 2015

60W MagSafe power adapter with MagSafe 2 style connector

  • 13-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2012 through 2015
New

45W MagSafe power adapter with MagSafe 2 style connector

  • MacBook Air models introduced in 2012 through 2017

About the MagSafe to MagSafe 2 Converter

If you have an older MagSafe adapter, you can use it with newer Mac computers that have MagSafe 2 ports using a MagSafe to MagSafe 2 Converter (shown).

MagSafe 'L' and 'T' shaped adapters

60W MagSafe power adapter with 'T' style connector

New

macOS Recovery exceptions

The version of macOS offered by macOS Recovery might vary in some cases:

  • If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later has never been installed on this Mac, Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. And Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.
  • If you erased your entire disk instead of just the startup volume on that disk, macOS Recovery might offer only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. You can upgrade to a later version afterward.
  • If your Mac has the Apple T2 Security Chip and you never installed a macOS update, Option-Command-R installs the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
  • If you just had your Mac logic board replaced during a repair, macOS Recovery might offer only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.

Generic usb joystick driver. If you can't get macOS Recovery to offer the installer you want, you might be able to use one of the other ways to install macOS.

Other ways to install macOS

  • You can also install macOS from the App Store or Software Update preferences. If you can't install macOS Catalina, you might be able to install an earlier macOS, such as macOS Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite.
  • Or create a bootable installer disk, then use that disk to install macOS on your Mac or another Mac.

Power adapters for Mac notebooks are available in 29W, 30W, 45W, 60W, 61W, 85W, 87W, and 96W varieties. You should use the appropriate wattage power adapter for your Mac notebook. You can use a compatible higher wattage power adapter without issue, but it won't make your computer charge faster or operate differently. If you use a power adapter that is lower in wattage than the adapter that came with your Mac, it won't provide enough power to your computer.

Mac notebooks that charge via USB-C come with an Apple USB-C Power Adapter with detachable AC plug (or 'duckhead'), and a USB-C Charge Cable.

Mac notebooks that charge via MagSafe come with an AC adapter with MagSafe connector and detachable AC plug, and an AC cable.

The images below show the style of adapter that comes with each MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air. If you're not sure which model Mac you have, use these articles:

USB-C

Apple 29W or 30W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

Powerbook G4 Value

  • MacBook models introduced in 2015 or later

Apple 30W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

  • MacBook Air models introduced in 2018 or later

New Mac Power Book

Apple 61W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

  • 13-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2016 or later

Apple 87W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

  • 15-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2016 or later

Apple 96W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable

  • 16-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2019

Make sure you're using the correct USB-C charge cable

For the best charging experience, you should use the USB-C charge cable that comes with your Mac notebook. If you use a higher wattage USB-C cable, your Mac will still charge normally. USB-C cables rated for 29W or 30W will work with any USB-C power adapter, but won't provide enough power when connected to a power adapter that is more than 61W, such as the 96W USB-C Power Adapter.

You can verify that you're using the correct version of the Apple USB-C Charge Cable with your Mac notebook and its USB-C AC Adapter. The cable's serial number is printed on its external housing, next to the words 'Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.'

  • If the first three characters of the serial number are C4M or FL4, the cable is for use with an Apple USB-C Power Adapter up to 61W.
  • If the first three characters of the serial number are DLC, CTC, FTL, or G0J, the cable is for use with an Apple USB-C Power Adapter up to 100W.
  • If the cable says 'Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China' but has no serial number, you might be eligible for a replacement USB-C charge cable.

MagSafe 2

85W MagSafe power adapter with MagSafe 2 style connector

  • 15-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2012 through 2015

60W MagSafe power adapter with MagSafe 2 style connector

  • 13-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2012 through 2015

45W MagSafe power adapter with MagSafe 2 style connector

  • MacBook Air models introduced in 2012 through 2017

About the MagSafe to MagSafe 2 Converter

If you have an older MagSafe adapter, you can use it with newer Mac computers that have MagSafe 2 ports using a MagSafe to MagSafe 2 Converter (shown).

MagSafe 'L' and 'T' shaped adapters

60W MagSafe power adapter with 'T' style connector

  • 13-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2009
  • MacBook models introduced in 2006 through mid 2009

60W MagSafe power adapter with 'L' style connector

  • 13-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2010 through 2012
  • MacBook models introduced in late 2009 through 2010

85W MagSafe power adapter with 'T' style connector

  • 15-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2006 through 2009
  • 17-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2006 through 2009

85W MagSafe power adapter with 'L' style connector

  • 15-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2010 through 2012
  • 17-inch MacBook Pro models introduced in 2010 through 2011

45W MagSafe power adapter with 'L' style connector

  • 13-inch MacBook Air models introduced in 2008 through 2011*
  • 11-inch MacBook Air models introduced in 2010 through 2011

* Adapters that shipped with the MacBook Air (Original), MacBook Air (Late 2008), and MacBook Air (Mid 2009) are not recommended for use with MacBook Air (Late 2010) models. When possible, use your computer's original adapter or a newer adapter.

Learn more

You can get extra or replacement adapters with AC cord and plug at the Apple Online Store, an Apple Reseller, or an Apple Store.

A replacement adapter might not be the same size, color, shape, or wattage as the original adapter that came with your computer. But it should power and charge your Mac like the adapter that originally came with your computer.

If you need help using your MagSafe adapter, see Apple Portables: Troubleshooting power adapters.

If you're looking for a PowerPC-based power adapter, see PowerPC-based Apple Portables: Identifying the right power adapter and power cord.





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