Any reason behind the MagSafe change?

[firewood]

It's really stupid of Apple to change adaptors.

You're absolutely right. Where's my AC power cord plug, ADB port, SCSI port, serial port, Firewire, Ethernet, 400/800k floppy disk drive, composite video connectors, and Apple II peripheral card slots? Surely all these ports should all be on every iPad and iPod Touch!

 

[kelvinjones]

I heard some people complaining about the new Magsafe 2 adapter because it unplugs too easily. As in you're sitting on the couch and move a bit and it falls out.

I've just got my first MBP Retina and love it, but it was exactly the couch issue that I was searching for. I wondered why Apple had dropped the L shape adaptor in favour of a the T. Thinning it makes sense though.

Also, it seems that the adaptor is more magnetic one way round. If it's too loose just turn it over and it holds stronger. By design or by having a dodgy magnet I don't know, try for yourselves.

It's also a shame that there isn't a port on either side on the laptop, the space it would take up (including a controller to stop 2 chargers at once) would be minimal, but it would stop the wire having to run behind or across the screen - which adds tension to the... hold... of the magnet/s.

 

[dean1012]

I think the primary reason for the magsafe change is actually durability.

When I had my 2008 macbook (magsafe 1) the cord would break every ~4-6 months and the local Apple store would always exchange it for a new one for 50% off as they already knew about the issue and said Apple was working to fix it.

Since the change to magsafe 2, I haven't had a single cord break.

 

[TheRealDamager]

I haven't noticed any change in the CORD on the new power supply, just a change on the slimness of the connector to the Air.

 

[dean1012]

I haven't noticed any change in the CORD on the new power supply, just a change on the slimness of the connector to the Air.

Magsafe 1 connector is right angle:

http://km.support.apple.com/library/APPLE/APPLECARE_ALLGEOS/HT5234/HT5234 - L - new - 1.jpg

magsafe 2 is not:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/magsafecomparo.jpg

(bottom cord)

The right angle of the magsafe 1 lead to lots of failures. This new magsafe 2 does not fail.

 

[calvol]

Yeah Apple should have stuck with a 15 year old adapter.

Having a power cord which magnetically snaps into place, prevents me from snagging the cable and destroying my laptop really sucks.

Yeah, Apple really outdid themselves designing a less functional and esthetic Mag2 adaptor. Been discussed many times in these forums: disconnects too easy, looks worse, and prevents using horizontal space to the left of the laptop. Genius design.