Is it crucially important that i use the MBP charger to charge my MBP or is it fine to use the smaller MB one?

I've successfully charged a MB with a MBP charger if that helps you.

So have I but is there any risk im damaging the charger or the battery?

MBP charger = 85W

MB charger = 65W

The MBP requires more watts than a MB, and it's charger is beefier as a result. It's OK to use a MB charger briefly, but not for extended periods of time as it'll lead to a shorter life. Battery charging is also slower using the MB charger.

JB

From experience, using the Powerbook 65W charger on an iBook (45W charger) reduced the iBooks battery life significantly after only one charge.
When the 65W charger was plugged back into the Powerbook and turned on, it blew up.

It could just be coincidence, but the result was a dead charger, dead battery and a dead Powerbook DC inboard and logic board.

Therefore I don't recommend mixing chargers.

Yeah, that's a pretty solid argument against mixing chargers, leon. Pretty solid indeed.

Solid? A general conclusion from a specific instance? I think not.

I have charged a 15" Powerbook with 45 watt yo-yo charger and a 12" iBook G3 with a 65 watt charger numerous times without any adverse effects.

I agree with vimeldrew.

I regularly use 65W PB adaptors and 85W MBP adaptors in iBooks and MBs. Have not had a single instance of one blowing up, shorting, or letting out blue smoke. The only reason you wouldn't use a MB/iBook charger with a higher-end machine is due to their inability to supply adequate current under heavy power use (the MBP/PB will be forced to use some battery charge and slowly increase the number of cycles a battery will have gone through.)

so there is no general consensus?

i think general consensus is leadings towards - if you can avoid it, then dont do it

have a search for the Apple Knowledge Base article Intel based Apple portables - identifying the right power adapter and power cord. Cant copy and paste the link. Anyway Apples answer seems to be no.

Apple does not say yes or no.

[Apple - Support - Search

Apple discussion about
using 45 watt on 15" powerbook

Intel power adapters

PPC power adapters

found this on the discussion board

"I've answered this many times before based on what other say. It's not good to use the 45W adapter on the 15-inch and 17-inch models because it does not get enough power. It can harm the computer, so I've heard.

(Coming from someone who is currently using his 15-inch, me!, while connected to the 45W adapter of my 12-inch one here at my desk!).

It also takes longer to charge the battery.

On the other end, the 65W AC adapter won't harm the 12-inch PowerBooks because the machine will only draw the power it needs.

I think this is why using the 45W adapter with the 15 and 17-inch PowerBooks is not good because it will be "looking" for more power that it DOES need, but it won't get it, putting "strain" on the unit, battery, etc."

and this

"I worked at AppleCare when the 65W power adapters came in. Back then, in training, we were told that the 45W won't charge the PowerBooks needing a 65W, but can be used to work with it. So if it charges, you're probably lucky, even if it takes longer. Never were we told that it would harm the computer."

Im thinking that it should be ok then but i probably wouldnt do it unless i had to

Here's my 5c worth.

When I need to, I use a macbook charger to power a MBP but do not have the battery plugged in it, the other way around has never been a problem, same with the powerbook/ibook adapters, using the larger adapter on a lesser system is not an issue, but trying to run a more power hungry unit with a charger not designed for that current level is not a good idea, so we used to remove the battery from the MBP/powerbook when using a Macbook/iBook charger.

THe 85W charger is specified as: 8.5V - 4.6A and 16.5V - 3.65A.

The 65W charger is specified as: 16.5V - 3.65A

You'll be fine

I intend to order an additional 85W charger for use with a MB & MBP now that they've shrunk 'em down.

Al