Review: Ten One Design's Clever 'Blockhead' Allows MacBook and iPad Chargers to Fit Behind Furniture

[MacRumors]

Created by Ten One Design, the Blockhead is a simple plug designed to rotate the orientation of the MacBook or iPad Power Adapter so it rests flush against a wall or power strip when it's plugged in.

There are, occasionally, some products that are so simple and intuitive that you look at them and wonder why they didn't already exist -- the Blockhead is one of those products. Made from blue plastic, the Blockhead replaces the snap-in plug portion of the official chargers for Apple's lineup of MacBooks and iPads.

There's not a lot to say about the design of the Blockhead. It's similar to the official AC wall adapter that can be snapped out of a MacBook or iPad Power Adapter, but its plugs are oriented in a different direction. Made of an attractive blue ABS plastic instead of white plastic, the Blockhead is otherwise functionally identical to Apple's own power adapter bits.


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Article Link: Review: Ten One Design's Clever 'Blockhead' Allows MacBook and iPad Chargers to Fit Behind Furniture

 

[Brooklynscholar]

Created by Ten One Design, the Blockhead is a simple plug designed to rotate the orientation of the MacBook or iPad Power Adapter so it rests flush against a wall or power strip when it's plugged in.

There are, occasionally, some products that are so simple and intuitive that you look at them and wonder why they didn't already exist -- the Blockhead is one of those products. Made from blue plastic, the Blockhead replaces the snap-in plug portion of the official chargers for Apple's lineup of MacBooks and iPads.

There's not a lot to say about the design of the Blockhead. It's similar to the official AC wall adapter that can be snapped out of a MacBook or iPad Power Adapter, but its plugs are oriented in a different direction. Made of an attractive blue ABS plastic instead of white plastic, the Blockhead is otherwise functionally identical to Apple's own power adapter bits.


Click here to read more...

Article Link: Review: Ten One Design's Clever 'Blockhead' Allows MacBook and iPad Chargers to Fit Behind Furniture

[doublepost=1466798393][/doublepost]Try puggining this nonsense into a power strip. As if Apple didn't think about the design of the power brick. It is good the way it is.

 

[mateytate]

[doublepost=1466798393][/doublepost]Try puggining this nonsense into a power strip. As if Apple didn't think about the design of the power brick. It is good the way it is.

I guess it does no harm to have an option though? My issue with it is why on earth they thought "attractive blue ABS plastic" was the ideal material, over perhaps white plastic which matches the existing transformer. To me it looks horrible.

 

[mRfung]

Single
Man Applauses
Large Empty Room.

 

[Danbrown521]

Macrumors give away?

 

[Brooklynscholar]

I guess it does no harm to have an option though? My issue with it is why on earth they thought "attractive blue ABS plastic" was the ideal material, over perhaps white plastic which matches the existing transformer. To me it looks horrible.

This is the worst product I've seen on MacRumors. The current duck head connector is excellent.

 

[shareef777]

Wow, utterly worthless. This is why they include the extension cord. Additionally, I don't think it's safe to have it flush and have any furniture propped against it. These things get pretty hot when the machine is under full load. On top of all that, TWENTY dollars for this!? Wow!

 

[Deelron]

I'm happy just using a Hug a Plug, then again I move my adapter often so hiding it behind furniture is not a good use case for me.

 

[vthree]

Looks nifty.

I personally just keep the cords when I return cable modems.. And those fit in just nicely. Give a little extension too!

 

[SnarkyBear]

I like it! I like the blue color, and I have use for this with my really old macbook.
At $20, it is too overpriced for my tastes. Make it half that price and I would buy it.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Nothing like MR being late to the party. They've been available for over a month now. They are clever, but the biggest issue for me is traveling with them. At least Apple designed the original "duckhead" plug to fold the prongs away... no so with these "ingenious" plugs.

Pricey, yes. I like the concept, but IMO, it's a "swing and a miss".

Close, but no cigar.

 

[obafgkm]

Too bad the reviewer didn't link to the blurb in Macrumors from March 2016...

 

[The-Pro]

I guess it does no harm to have an option though? My issue with it is why on earth they thought "attractive blue ABS plastic" was the ideal material, over perhaps white plastic which matches the existing transformer. To me it looks horrible.

I would say they want it to be recognisable. Higher chance someone spots your charger being flush with the wall when there is a blue thing on it right It would help sales. Similar concept with why the PlugBug is red.

 

[bushido]

never understood why Apple insists on this big bulky cube, it puts too much pressure on the thin cable too

 

[Sirious]

Too expensive for what it is but I can imagine it being useful sometimes.

 

[shareef777]

Too bad the reviewer didn't link to the blurb in Macrumors from March 2016...

Gotta love advertising made to appear like a 'review/article'.

 

[joecool99]

I guess it does no harm to have an option though? My issue with it is why on earth they thought "attractive blue ABS plastic" was the ideal material, over perhaps white plastic which matches the existing transformer. To me it looks horrible.

it's BEHIND furniture, calm down and stop viewing the world via periscope.

 

[SeaFox]

it's BEHIND furniture, calm down and stop viewing the world via periscope.

But if we put it behind furniture, how will people see it and know that we spent $20 on this adapter verses just buying a right-angle adapter cube at the hardware store for $3?

 

[gforce78]

never understood why Apple insists on this big bulky cube, it puts too much pressure on the thin cable too

It's called a transformer

 

[jdiamond]

I guess it does no harm to have an option though? My issue with it is why on earth they thought "attractive blue ABS plastic" was the ideal material, over perhaps white plastic which matches the existing transformer. To me it looks horrible.

Possibly they were unable to match the white color that Apple uses?

 

[CFreymarc]

Nice alternative. Only issue I see is mounting this to a wall socket, the weight of the power block puts a twisting torque on the connector. Don't know how house connectors would fare with this over time.

 

[Norbs12]

I guess it does no harm to have an option though? My issue with it is why on earth they thought "attractive blue ABS plastic" was the ideal material, over perhaps white plastic which matches the existing transformer. To me it looks horrible.

It's the same reason some brands have their name all over. They are basically hoping your will advertise for them.

 

[davester]

A great idea, don't know why Apple didn't do this. One better would've been to have a swivel hinge on it, so you could have it swing to left, right or stay centred, so it didn't obscure the power point next to it

 

[AZhappyjack]

A great idea, don't know why Apple didn't do this. One better would've been to have a swivel hinge on it, so you could have it swing to left, right or stay centred, so it didn't obscure the power point next to it

Again, Apple would need a completely different design to allow for both the 'side mount' and the fold-away plug on the NA duckhead adapter.

 

[SeanMcg]

Again, Apple would need a completely different design to allow for both the 'side mount' and the fold-away plug on the NA duckhead adapter.

I agree that you couldn't get the side mount and foldaway plug in the same design. However, a swivel design without the foldaway would work, mechanically at least. The main thing that bothers me about this is the torque issue, mentioned above. It wouldn't be a problem for the iPad charger, but the larger power supplies could damage an outlet over time. So while the review concentrated on extended use, I see this as a special case use item.

Speaking of the power supply, this design has been around at least since the PowerBook G4, I think. Apple did design the provided plug with a power strip in mind, but it was purposely designed for adaptability. From international plugs to this, I really like how this design has lasted longer than anything it powers since it debuted.