Apple Including Free MagSafe 2 Converter with Thunderbolt Display

[bgrubin]

I don't know if they should clutter the box with all adapters, but I believe they should at least offer them at a severely reduced price when spending several thousand.

Actually, a really slick way to make everyone happy without spending too much is to offer a choice of, say, two free adapters with a laptop purchase. That way you don't give people crap they don't need, you make 99% very happy, and you keep expense very low.

 

[willcapellaro]

The "MagSafe 2" is a _prime_ example of Apple simply changing things (yet again) for no need whatsoever. The 1st generation MagSafe is _exactly_ the same height of a normal USB port, and Apple has included several USB ports on their new machines (right next to the power supply), so why do we need a "thinner and longer" power connector anyhow?

All this will do is make your previously-purchased power connectors incompatible (without using the new $10. adapter). Remember: the MAIN DRAWBACK in the first place is when it's tugged just a bit too hard it comes undone! Same thing when accidentally pressed against your legs! Now add an extra 1/2" adapter onto the setup and I'll bet it comes undone more often than it stays put! I ask you: "Why?"

Why has the form factor been changed at all? Standard USB is _exactly_ the same height as the existing MagSafe, and they didn't change those (to mini or micro) so it can't be an issue of "height"...

This is yet another example of Apple changing things simply to make their products incompatible with older generations. It's called "planned obsolescence", and was pioneered by the auto industry. I own at least six power adapters, and now they're all useless without a $10. adapter? WHY? Also add non-upgradeable memory (and internal storage), and you have the least-upgradeable MBP Apple has ever made in it's entire history!

I have a 2008 MBP that has ALL necessary connections built right into the machine itself (with no adapters necessary): MagSafe, Ethernet (a _must have_), dual USB 2's, FW800, FW400, full-size DVI, discreet headphone & microphone input (both optically compatible), plus a PCI card slot that I use as a multi-card slot (which for $20. reads SD, MemoryStick, and more), PLUS an 18x SuperDrive. Similar battery life and a REAL (not chicklet) backlit keyboard round out what I personally would call a _real road warrior_!!! No adapters necessary (even though Apple included DVI to VGA for free)...

What more could you _possibly_ ask for in a portable? This latest MBP is _not_ an "upgrade", it's a regression. This is only a way for Apple to suck more money out of your pockets. If only Steve were still alive today, he'd probably be rolling over about right now... All of this has happened over just the past 4 years? "25% thinner and a faster processor with very few ports"-- Are you kidding me? This is a radical "improvement" that somehow makes up for everything else we've lost in the transition?

Call me "Old-School", but I want my "Swiss Army Knife" of an Apple MBP back!!!

Agree totally on the Magsafe points. Overall this is retrograde maneuver. Really hope this isn't as painful as it portends to be. In no way a defense, but this was likely a bad engineering decision, not a planned obsolescence or marketing domination strategy.

Of two minds on your other theory/gripe. Yes Apple is the harbinger of doom for many ports and protocols, and Apple users get ground up in the process. However, if they don't do it no one will. Dells still have VGA ports! VGA ports should not exist in 2012.

 

[willcapellaro]

It's pretty pointless to include one of those if you're not updating the display to usb3.

That's the only thing that's holding me back from buying one of these.

As a person who routinely fumbles to insert any USB drive or plug into the back of an imac, I dont understand how anyone does that more than once instead of buying a USB hub. I alway have to get up, circle round to the back, insert, then return. The ports are crammed together too.

I suppose USB3 is a leave-plugged-in use case though. Those ports are good for that--I want to forget they exist.

One USB port on the side would be great for thumbdrives.

 

[KPOM]

Of two minds on your other theory/gripe. Yes Apple is the harbinger of doom for many ports and protocols, and Apple users get ground up in the process. However, if they don't do it no one will. Dells still have VGA ports! VGA ports should not exist in 2012.

But, but, but, what about that aging projector in the conference room? How will we connect to that?

My HP Elitebook from 2008 has a built in modem.

 

[Radioman]

think there will be a bump up to USB 3.0 for the Thunderbolt Display soon?

I don't think the TB pipe is up to USB3 on top of the DVI (5Gbps) and the gigabit ethernet. So, unless they use a second TB link, which defeats the object, there is a big impediment to USB3 on the TB display.

 

[MemoDude]

Magsafe2 converter

I don't know, I think they did it just to meet customer expectations of "it just works."

Some unknowing individual walks into an Apple store and buys a $999 Thunderbolt display and a $2199 laptop, brings them home and finds out that their brand new products don't work together (for charging, at least)...

Kind of a bad situation for a customer who just spent $3000 to have to drive back to the store and buy a $9.99 adapter.

I bought a new Thunderbolt display and a MacPro retina display with SDD drives two weeks ago, spend about 2800, when I'got home found out about the MacPro Magsafe2 port was not compatible with the Thunderbolt Magsafe, called them and they didn't know what I was talking about, spoke with a couple of people, they had no idea. I finally went to the store yesterday to get a converter, while I was explaining what I needed, the sales support specialist didn't know about this either, had to explain to three different people at the store (Apple at Stonebriar Mall in Frisco, TX), this is ridiculous, I should have gotten the converter for free after all that time spend on the phone and driving back. I've replaced the OEM charger with the new converter and connected laptop to the thunderbolt, I am very happy it's working fine now.

 

[metier]

I bought a new Thunderbolt display and a MacPro retina display with SDD drives two weeks ago, spend about 2800, when I'got home found out about the MacPro Magsafe2 port was not compatible with the Thunderbolt Magsafe, called them and they didn't know what I was talking about, spoke with a couple of people, they had no idea. I finally went to the store yesterday to get a converter, while I was explaining what I needed, the sales support specialist didn't know about this either, had to explain to three different people at the store (Apple at Stonebriar Mall in Frisco, TX), this is ridiculous, I should have gotten the converter for free after all that time spend on the phone and driving back. I've replaced the OEM charger with the new converter and connected laptop to the thunderbolt, I am very happy it's working fine now.

Did you check in the little square thing that holds the manual for the Thunderbolt display that is were mine was.

 

[PJM82]

I don't think the TB pipe is up to USB3 on top of the DVI (5Gbps) and the gigabit ethernet. So, unless they use a second TB link, which defeats the object, there is a big impediment to USB3 on the TB display.

I don't see why there would be any issues? Check out the new thunderbolt docks.

 

[WildCowboy]

I bought a new Thunderbolt display and a MacPro retina display with SDD drives two weeks ago, spend about 2800, when I'got home found out about the MacPro Magsafe2 port was not compatible with the Thunderbolt Magsafe, called them and they didn't know what I was talking about, spoke with a couple of people, they had no idea. I finally went to the store yesterday to get a converter, while I was explaining what I needed, the sales support specialist didn't know about this either, had to explain to three different people at the store (Apple at Stonebriar Mall in Frisco, TX), this is ridiculous, I should have gotten the converter for free after all that time spend on the phone and driving back. I've replaced the OEM charger with the new converter and connected laptop to the thunderbolt, I am very happy it's working fine now.

Where did you purchase from? As this article notes, Apple has been including the converter free in the display box for almost a year. So either you missed it in the box (it's right up top with the manual) or you got very old stock from before they started including it.