Apple · Discontinued · 15″ MacBook Pro
Apple 87W USB-C: the 15-inch Pro brick, superseded.
Model A1719 shipped with every 15-inch MacBook Pro from 2016 to 2019. Apple replaced it with the 96W, and that is what you should buy — the machine takes it without modification.
Buy the 96W instead
The 96W USB-C adapter is the direct successor and is fully compatible with a 2016–2019 15″ MacBook Pro: same connector, same detachable AC plug, nine extra watts the laptop simply does not request. Certified third-party 100W GaN chargers work identically and are far smaller. What you should not do is pay a collector premium for a working 87W on a resale site. Procedure: replacing a dead laptop charger.
Output profile
| Rail | Current | Delivered |
|---|---|---|
| 5.2V | 2.4A | ~12.5W |
| 9V | 3A | 27W |
| 20.2V | 4.3A | 87W |
4.3A on the top rail is above what an ordinary 3A USB-C cable carries, so the 87W has always needed Apple's 2 m charge cable or another 5A e-marked cable. That requirement carries over to the 96W and to any 100W replacement — see e-marker cables for what the marking means and how to check it.
Devices, then and now
| Machine | 87W verdict |
|---|---|
| 15″ MacBook Pro 2016–2019 | Exact in-box match |
| 16″ MacBook Pro 2019 (Intel) | Under-served; that machine shipped with 96W |
| 16″ MacBook Pro (M-series) | Runs and charges, but fast charge needs 140W |
| 14″ MacBook Pro | Charges well; 96W is the fast-charge threshold |
| MacBook Air, iPad, iPhone | Over-served, entirely safe |
100W-class replacements
- 100W
UGREEN Nexode 100W
100W over four ports in a body far smaller than the 87W brick — the standard modern answer.
- Output
- 100W total
- Ports
- 3× USB-C, 1× USB-A
- Tech
- GaN
- 100W
Anker Prime 100W 3-Port
Compact 100W GaN with sensible per-port allocation for a laptop plus phone plus tablet.
- Output
- 100W total
- Ports
- 2× USB-C, 1× USB-A
- Tech
- GaN
- 108W
Satechi 108W Pro
A little above 100W with multiple ports; a desk unit rather than a travel one.
- Output
- 108W total
- Ports
- Multi USB-C + USB-A
- Tech
- GaN
- 240W
SmallRig 240W 4-Port
Overkill on purpose: 140W to one port, 100W to another. One brick for a household of laptops.
- Output
- 240W total
- Ports
- 3× USB-C, 1× USB-A
- Standard
- PD 3.1
Verdict
Retired, replaceable, and not worth chasing. Buy the 96W for a first-party part or a certified 100W GaN for a smaller, multi-port one — and make sure the cable is 5A rated either way. Class pages: 96W adapters and 100W adapters.
Related
FAQ
Can I use a 96W adapter on a 2017 15-inch MacBook Pro?
Yes. The laptop negotiates its own rail and draws no more than it needs, so the 96W behaves exactly like the 87W it replaced. Higher wattage on USB-C Power Delivery is always safe.
Why does the 87W adapter need a special cable?
Its top rail runs at 4.3A, above the 3A an ordinary USB-C cable is rated for. You need Apple's supplied 2 m charge cable or another 5A e-marked cable to reach the full 87W.
Is a third-party 100W GaN charger a safe replacement?
Yes, provided it is UL or ETL listed and states 100W on a single USB-C port rather than 100W summed across several. It will supply the 20V rail the MacBook Pro expects.