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How the Google Pixelbook Charges Both the Apple MacBook (Early 2016) and Motorola Moto G6 with USB Power Delivery

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The Google Pixelbook has the advantage of dual-role power capabilities that can charge other compatible devices when there's just no access to AC power as well as being able to be charged itself. Through USB Power Delivery 2.0 technology, the Pixelbook can be used to deliver power to certain compatible devices like the Motorola Moto G6 when plugged in over USB Type-C. The Google Pixelbook will need to act as a power bank to the Motorola Moto G6 since the Moto phone can only consume and not supply power, which in turn will also deplete the Pixelbook's own battery charge throughout  charging.

With a fully drained battery on the Motorola Moto G6, we could see charging initially reached up to around 11 watts when connected to the 86% charged Google Pixelbook. The power level later dropped to about 7.5 watts as lower current was pulled which didn't really allow the phone to charge any faster than using its own 15W TurboPower charger as seen here. Click here to download the trace captured by the GRL-A1 power analyzer to see more details on how the Google Pixelbook at 86% battery, charged the Motorola Moto G6 at 0% battery charge.

After the Motorola Moto G6 has charged a bit and the Google Pixelbook was reduced to 77% battery level, we disconnected the phone to link up a fully discharged Apple MacBook (Early 2016) to the PC over USB Type-C. As observed through USB Power Delivery 2.0, the Mac started off pulling current to charge to around 11 watts. When we re-attached the Motorola Moto G6 to the Pixelbook, we could see about 6.6 watts of  power being supplied to additionally support charging the phone. More power was actually provided when two devices are being charged by the Pixelbook vs when just a single device is being charged. Click here to download the trace captured by the GRL-A1 power analyzer to see more details on how the Google Pixelbook at 77% battery, charged the Apple MacBook (Early 2016) at 0% battery charge together with the Motorola Moto G6

Despite slower charging, it's still good to see that the Android based Pixelbook works reasonably well to supply power to both Apple and non Apple devices such as the Apple MacBook (Early 2016) and the Motorola Moto G6.

Download the A1 software from Granite River Labs to view the traces.

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