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Battery packs and connectors for USB-C MacBooks needs a crowd funding boost

By Liu Hongzuo - on 22 Sep 2015, 12:13pm

Battery packs and connectors for USB-C MacBooks needs a crowd funding boost

Do you have the new MacBook with the USB-C charging port? US company HYPER – an online store that sells accessories for Apple-related products – is looking for supporters for their latest battery and adapter lineup. The retailer set up an Indiegogo page to solicit backers for their latest Magic Box products, a USB-C power adapter that allows existing battery packs to charge your Macbook safely.

Magic Box 12W, for battery packs that are not made by HYPER.

HYPER has two new Magic Box connectors for different battery packs – the Magic Box 12W is made for battery packs that is not made by HYPER, and it enables said battery packs to charge at 12W speed safely, using the same USB-C microprocessor controller solution found in Apple’s original USB-C Power Adapter.

Magic Box 29W, for HyperJuice battery packs, plugged into a USB-C MacBook.

On the other hand, the Magic Box 29W connector can charge your Macbook at the original MacBook charging speed of 29W – provided that the Magic Box 29W is connected to a HyperJuice, battery packs made by HYPER themselves. HyperJuice battery packs have two USB charging ports and they come in four capacities - 60Wh, 100Wh, 150Wh, and 222Wh (by comparison, the 12-inch MacBook with USB-C power port has a capacity of 39.7Wh). The HyperJuice battery packs are also compatible with older MacBooks that has a MagSafe power port, if you attach the old Magic Box connectors with the MagSafe adapter to the HyperJuice.

While there are USB-C connectors and adapters you can purchase from mass-market online retailers, they do not always come with the microprocessor needed for safer charging, nor do they charge at a safe wattage speed.

Magic Box, HyperJuice, and USB-C compatible MacBook in its portable charging setup.

The campaign is in its early stages, with almost 100 backers participating in its first 11 hours of launch. HYPER is seeking US$50,000 (S$70,610) in total for the Magic Box 12W and 29W USB-C connectors to prior to their November 2015 launch. Campaign supporters can back the project by buying any of their products' campaign bundles (full list here), which will cost less than its recommended retail pricing.

At a glance, campaign bundles are either going for 10% to 30% discount, or going for a flat US$50 to US$70 discount. An all-rounded bundle consisting of a 60Wh HyperJuice, a Magic Box 29W, and a Magic Box MagSafe Modified (for MagSafe MacBooks) would set you back around US$248 (S$350), with shipping fees included in the cost.

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