A shiny new MacBook Pro has just been revealed by Apple, and it looks pretty mighty thanks to an upgraded M5 processor, which not only makes this laptop smarter but also a lot faster. In fact, the US technology giant is promising some big performance gains, which will make everything from web browsing to 4K movie editing faster and more fluid. It goes on sale later this week, but be warned if you are thinking about rushing to an Apple Store with your credit card in hand. UK fans taking delivery of the M5 Pro may be surprised to find that there’s no charger included in the box.
Yes, if you don’t already own a powerful charger – at least 30W or more – you’re going to need to pay extra to refill the battery. Official plugs from the firm’s store start from £39 but can rise to £99 for the most powerful 140W accessory.
So what is going on and why has the power brick been removed?
Apple says it has made the change in anticipation of an upcoming European regulation.
This EU ruling is aimed at cutting down on electronic waste, with lawmakers requiring tech firms to give consumers the option to buy tech products without a charger in the box.
Sticking to those rules would mean Apple producing different packaging in the EU and UK, which is clearly a waste of time, effort and money. That’s why it seems they have simply made the decision to remove the plug from all new MacBook Pro machines completely. US users will still receive a charger when they purchase the latest Pro.
Of course, some might wonder why Apple hasn’t cut the price of the new machines by £39 or simply offer to hand over a charger at the checkout for those who want one.
Sadly, that’s not an option right now so it will mean spending a little bit more when upgrading to an M5. A USB-C to MagSafe cable is supplied in all MacBook boxes, so as long as you have a charger at home, you won’t need to splash out.
Whatever you do, don’t buy a cheap plug from a local market or unofficial store as these can be very dangerous and cause a fire risk. If you don’t opt for an Apple plug, try and get one from a manufacturer such as Anker or Belkin.
The removal of plugs from the MacBook box follows the iPad last year, which also lost the adapter in the UK. The iPhone hasn’t shipped with a charger for over five years.
