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SW3029

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 22, 2019
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This might be a stupid question, but can you still charge a MacBook via USB-C on a MacBook with Magsafe? Or are you forced to use MagSafe?
 
Bear in mind that it won't come with a cable for doing that like with the older models so you'd have to buy that separately if you don't already have something suitable. And then you are using up one of your precious USB-C ports on charging while the MagSafe port sits unused as it isn't useful for anything else. But with those caveats in mind, yes it should work just fine.
 
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And then you are using up one of your precious USB-C ports on charging while the MagSafe port sits unused as it isn't useful for anything else. But with those caveats in mind, yes it should work just fine.
Unless that USB-C cable is also sending data as is common on most docks and USB-C displays. This is precisely why I don’t find the MagSafe to be useful and the cable remains in the M2 MacBook Air’s box.
 
Anyone have any idea why they didn't move MagSafe to the right hand side of the machine so you could have an alternate location for a cable connection?

I could maybe understand keeping both USC-C ports on the same side due to logic-board/bus reasons... but it should have been a simple matter to relocate a power port.
 
Anyone have any idea why they didn't move MagSafe to the right hand side of the machine so you could have an alternate location for a cable connection?

I could maybe understand keeping both USC-C ports on the same side due to logic-board/bus reasons... but it should have been a simple matter to relocate a power port.
perhaps it's not a 'simple matter'. or perhaps that's the design choice apple made.

we can speculate all we want about why they did (or didn't) do that, but that's how it is. and personally, i prefer the ports on one side. just saying!
 
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Yep, I am charging my MBP 14 M1 Pro this way as well. Haven't used the MagSafe since I got it.

LOL, no hating intended but.....

Yep, you can but why would you? I use magsafe exclusively and it has probably saved my MBP twice. Both were in a conference room and my power cord was.... inconveniently placed and tripped over by apparently blind coworkers.

Please mail me your unused magsafe cord!
 
LOL, no hating intended but.....

Yep, you can but why would you? I use magsafe exclusively and it has probably saved my MBP twice. Both were in a conference room and my power cord was.... inconveniently placed and tripped over by apparently blind coworkers.

Please mail me your unused magsafe cord!
sure, but look at all the macusers who've survived for years without magsafe...

really, who cares? you can use it, or... not. as long as you somehow charge your mac, all should be well.
 
sure, but look at all the macusers who've survived for years without magsafe...

really, who cares? you can use it, or... not. as long as you somehow charge your mac, all should be well.

And how many laptops have hit the floor because they didn't have magsafe? Neither of us have concrete numbers so I will just speak from experience... to your point my 2017 (non-magsafe) lived a floor free life, my 2021 16" almost bought it twice but was saved by the cord, anecdotal I know.

YMMV but I fail to understand why one wouldn't use it outside of a desk/office environment where cords can be protected from wayward feet.

In public places I will NEVER plug in my laptop with anything but magsafe after watching an MBP hit the floor in a Starbucks, it didn't end well.
 
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And how many laptops have hit the floor because they didn't have magsafe? Neither of us have concrete numbers so I will just speak from experience... to your point my 2017 (non-magsafe) lived a floor free life, my 2021 16" almost bought it twice but was saved by the cord, anecdotal I know.

YMMV but I fail to understand why one wouldn't use it outside of a desk/office environment where cords can be protected from wayward feet.

In public places I will NEVER plug in my laptop with anything but magsafe after watching an MBP hit the floor in a Starbucks, it didn't end well.
i've never knocked a macbook to the floor. in fact, no one i know has.

but that's not the point. people survived for years on magsafe-less macbooks. besides, how many people set up their macbooks so that the cable runs across the room or something equally ridiculous?

magsafe is great, am glad to have it on this mac. but if i travel, i have a usb-c adapter, and that will be fine too.

i got this air so i would never need to plugin at a coffeebar; if i spend more time at a coffeebar than my battery supports, i have bigger issues to contend with than 'magsafe or not'... 🤣
 
i've never knocked a macbook to the floor. in fact, no one i know has.

but that's not the point. people survived for years on magsafe-less macbooks. besides, how many people set up their macbooks so that the cable runs across the room or something equally ridiculous?

magsafe is great, am glad to have it on this mac. but if i travel, i have a usb-c adapter, and that will be fine too.

i got this air so i would never need to plugin at a coffeebar; if i spend more time at a coffeebar than my battery supports, i have bigger issues to contend with than 'magsafe or not'... 🤣
I don’t plug in my M2 MacBook Air all day. I charge it overnight. I usually end the day at 40%-50%.
 
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i've never knocked a macbook to the floor. in fact, no one i know has.

but that's not the point. people survived for years on magsafe-less macbooks. besides, how many people set up their macbooks so that the cable runs across the room or something equally ridiculous?

magsafe is great, am glad to have it on this mac. but if i travel, i have a usb-c adapter, and that will be fine too.

i got this air so i would never need to plugin at a coffeebar; if i spend more time at a coffeebar than my battery supports, i have bigger issues to contend with than 'magsafe or not'... 🤣
I take the Magsafe cable with me when traveling and have a USB-C connection for my desk/cupboard arrangement. I think the most likely time that you're going to benefit from the Magsafe is when you're on the road in an unfamiliar/less than ideal setting and your cord might be exposed. I personally haven't had a Macbook hit the deck ever but who knows if that's due to the magsafe that was on my 2015 MBP for 7 years and the Macbook Pro that preceded it.

I think it's a pretty cool safeguard on the whole.
 
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I take the Magsafe cable with me when traveling and have a USB-C connection for my desk/cupboard arrangement. I think the most likely time that you're going to benefit from the Magsafe is when you're on the road in an unfamiliar/less than ideal setting and your cord might be exposed. I personally haven't had a Macbook hit the deck ever but who knows if that's due to the magsafe that was on my 2015 MBP for 7 years and the Macbook Pro that preceded it.

I think it's a pretty cool safeguard on the whole.
i totally get that. i think, given my own usage, am never anywhere long enough to drain the battery (but have a really small usb c adapter in case).

nice to have options.
 
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