Griffin Introduces BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable for 12-Inch MacBook

[Rygaard]

How many people who have commented so far actually own a rMB? Is this a major issue? Are you constantly worried your device is going to go flying off your desk/lap or is it actually happening? Anc are you typically charging the device while using it?

if you asked this before they had the macsafe techonolgy - i might have agreed, but dude, once you see someone at school trip over your wire, and your (macbook /MBA / MBP ) just stay on the table - I have seen this happen about 10 times to my own macs -

Its like if they removed zippers from all jackets and you asked.. well how often do you REALLY need to close your jacket...and if you need just use a pice of string (really i dont mean to flame or offend you... but for me magsafe was/is a HUGE deal)

 

[Glassed Silver]

How many people who have commented so far actually own a rMB? Is this a major issue? Are you constantly worried your device is going to go flying off your desk/lap or is it actually happening? Anc are you typically charging the device while using it?

I don't have one, but a friend of mine does have a MB with MagSafe and the cable flies off constantly.
You'll naturally use the cable a lot if you actually use the computer at home or the - user-unserviceable battery - has reached its pinnacle, but the laptop is still fit for the job.

Of course, if this was such a non-issue, why did Apple ever come up with this idea?

I have seen cables being pulled from laptops so many time and there is no reason to take such a step backwards.
I really hope that Apple go back to the concept of having a separate charging port with MagSafe.
Or hell, allow for both if you don't want to drop the concept of USB-C being a universal charging port across devices, which I can see may seem like a great idea to many. Pack one charging cable for all your Apple gear one day. Sure, why not?

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[firewood]

I've had a pet destroy (completely shattered display) a pre-MagSafe MacBook G3 by yanking it off a table onto the arm of a hardwood chair. Had to buy a new one asap to finish a project on a deadline.

So the MagSafe feature is worth almost $1000 to me. Takes less than 10 seconds to grab and replug on the rare occasions when it falls out. That time is not enough money.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Got kids.
Got pets.
Magsafe makes the difference between life and death (of a laptop).

 

[bernuli]

The only time I didn't like the MagSafe charger was when I was using the laptop on my lap. Always seemed to fall off.

However, I'd rather it fall off than put stress on the charge port.

I think something might have been wrong with your connector. All the MagSafes I have used are pretty solid.

That said, I think the new macbook is so light, that it would probably get yanked off the desk if someone yanked on the cord.

 

[shareef777]

I don't own a rMB. For those that do is this a real issue? Sometimes I think accessories are a solution in search of a problem.

In the three years I've had my current rMBP, magsafe has come in hand ONCE when my son tripped over the cord. That ONE time was enough for me to want it as I can't imagine the cost I'd of had to pay if my laptop flew off the table.

 

[Rogifan]

if you asked this before they had the macsafe techonolgy - i might have agreed, but dude, once you see someone at school trip over your wire, and your (macbook /MBA / MBP ) just stay on the table - I have seen this happen about 10 times to my own macs -

Its like if they removed zippers from all jackets and you asked.. well how often do you REALLY need to close your jacket...and if you need just use a pice of string (really i dont mean to flame or offend you... but for me magsafe was/is a HUGE deal)

Well I'm only asking because none of us were in the room when these decisions were being made. Was MagSafe ditched purely so the device could be as thin as possible? Were there no other considerations or issues from a technical standpoint; it's as simple as Apple designers and engineers just don't care? Are current rMB owners having their device dragged off desks and tables that wouldn't be happening if MagSafe was there? I don't know because I don't own one.

In the three years I've had my current rMBP, magsafe has come in hand ONCE when my son tripped over the cord. That ONE time was enough for me to want it as I can't imagine the cost I'd of had to pay if my laptop flew off the table.

I wonder if the device is light enough that it might go flying with or without MagSafe? Since MagSafe is something Apple developed (and touted with the inductive charging on Watch) I'm a bit skeptical they'd easily ditch it.

 

[emulajavi]

What we need is a LED indicator for changing status.

And power on/off status LED Without the illuminated logo, you don't always know if it has correctly gone to sleep

 

[Saucesome2000]

The MacBook is extremely light and after some of my coworkers and I tested it, it seemed that the MacBook was too light and that even with MagSafe, it would still be pulled off a table.

Either way, I love Griffin. Local company with some cool folks and I'm happy to see them bring this product out.

 

[ConnYoungy]

Only just realised those MacBooks don't have magsafe adapters and now usb-c just seems even more stupid to me

 

[Gav2k]

Honestly no it's not an issue. If anyone's actually had a child trip over the cable it comes out the wall and rmb very very easily.

I don't own a rMB. For those that do is this a real issue? Sometimes I think accessories are a solution in search of a problem.

 

[obezcinnet]

This is one of those places where the tech reviewers are actually out of touch.

Someone like Andy Ihnatko was thrilled Apple moved to USB-C because he hated how the Magsafe adapter came unplugged.

The reality is, in everyday life, the end user would rather have their device get unplugged than be pulled off a table by a dog, child, or adult. I feel that the USB C move was a step backwards in that regard. Good for Griffin. Hope they sell loads of these.

I disagree.
I don't think MBP or MBA will abandon Magsafe, and move to USB-C, ever.

As I see it, USB-C is great for mobile devices such as cell phones and Macbook retina. You are not supposed to be working on your Macbook when it's plugged in charging. I live on a university campus with a lot of students using the new Macbook and never seen anyone charging it as they use it. You charge it and then use it when it's full.

I own a 15inch MBPr and I never use it when it's plugged in either. Battery lasts 8-9 hours and that's all I need for the day, it will be fully charged as I am sleeping. For the new macbook, you can even charge it in your backpack plugged into a battery pack. why would anyone want to use their macbook or ipad plugged into a power outlet?

 

[Blitz1920]

What would be really interesting is if this can work the opposite way round to what is shown in the photo. Ie the dongle is on the end plugged into the adapter rather than the computer. That way you don't have an adapter sticking out all the time...

 

[kemal]

I remember spending $35 on a Griffin USB audio I/O for my PowerMac Cube. Apple should buy Griffin and continue to market their solutions. It would be like selling bullets AND armor.

 

[Four by Six]

So, this is power only? The pictures on their website show only 3 electrical contacts. So, not a full USB-C, but just power. Which, I guess makes sense, but should be explicitly spelled out in their specs. I guess I could plug this power cable into the breakout adapter. I've had one cable trip already...

 

[melendezest]

Well I'm only asking because none of us were in the room when these decisions were being made. Was MagSafe ditched purely so the device could be as thin as possible? Were there no other considerations or issues from a technical standpoint; it's as simple as Apple designers and engineers just don't care? Are current rMB owners having their device dragged off desks and tables that wouldn't be happening if MagSafe was there? I don't know because I don't own one.



I wonder if the device is light enough that it might go flying with or without MagSafe? Since MagSafe is something Apple developed (and touted with the inductive charging on Watch) I'm a bit skeptical they'd easily ditch it.

C'mon, man. Your responses reek of Jim Jones's favorite drink.

You don't need to own a RMB to know that the MagSafe connector is advantageous. People have already posted more than enough valid reasons to have it here.

The comparison between having MagSafe and not having it are obvious and do not depend on ownership.

The "why" Apple removed it is also irrelevant, unless someone here works at Apple and can comment on its loss with factual info and no speculation.

That said, it's okay if you can or would be okay to live without it (millions of PC users and current RMB do after all), but to a Mac user who has seen MagSafe's value firsthand and whose $1K+ investement has been protected by it, it is priceless.

To them, not having MagSafe makes the product inferior to what came before and forces an (arguably and seemingly) unnecessary tradeoff between machines, given that it even exists on the 11-inch Air.

A product such as this is welcome (in my opinion) to mitigate that choice, although it seems a bit overpriced to me.

 

[dan110]

This looks very promising. However, I rather Apple had kept magsafe technology and gone with something like this design.

 

[ctyrider]

How many people who have commented so far actually own a rMB? Is this a major issue? Are you constantly worried your device is going to go flying off your desk/lap or is it actually happening? Anc are you typically charging the device while using it?

It's a non-issue really. I only plug in my rMB when it's placed on my desk, in which case there is zero chance of it being pulled down by the charging cable. In all other situations - it's unplugged, which is made possible by an all-day battery.

People just love whining about not having things they used to have, without really stopping and thinking about them.

 

[shareef777]

Well I'm only asking because none of us were in the room when these decisions were being made. Was MagSafe ditched purely so the device could be as thin as possible? Were there no other considerations or issues from a technical standpoint; it's as simple as Apple designers and engineers just don't care? Are current rMB owners having their device dragged off desks and tables that wouldn't be happening if MagSafe was there? I don't know because I don't own one.



I wonder if the device is light enough that it might go flying with or without MagSafe? Since MagSafe is something Apple developed (and touted with the inductive charging on Watch) I'm a bit skeptical they'd easily ditch it.

If the camera bump on the current iPhones tells you anything, Apple will go to inordinate lengths to slim devices down. No matter how impractical and detrimental it is to functionality.

 

[Rigby]

EDIT: Wrong thread

 

[bushido]

atill cant believe apple just gave up on that great invention. saved me lots of times in the past

How many people who have commented so far actually own a rMB? Is this a major issue? Are you constantly worried your device is going to go flying off your desk/lap or is it actually happening? Anc are you typically charging the device while using it?

i most to never use my macbook unplugged. maybe once a month to give the battery a kick

 

[yaxomoxay]

People just love whining about not having things they used to have, without really stopping and thinking about them.

Why having a different need is whining? Magsafe saved my Macs several times. As I said before, got kids, got pets. And I have even tripped on the wire myself. It might happen, it might not. The fact that YOU plug it in only when at your desk doesn't mean that WE need/want/can do the same.

 

[AustinIllini]

I disagree.
I don't think MBP or MBA will abandon Magsafe, and move to USB-C, ever.

As I see it, USB-C is great for mobile devices such as cell phones and Macbook retina. You are not supposed to be working on your Macbook when it's plugged in charging. I live on a university campus with a lot of students using the new Macbook and never seen anyone charging it as they use it. You charge it and then use it when it's full.

I own a 15inch MBPr and I never use it when it's plugged in either. Battery lasts 8-9 hours and that's all I need for the day, it will be fully charged as I am sleeping. For the new macbook, you can even charge it in your backpack plugged into a battery pack. why would anyone want to use their macbook or ipad plugged into a power outlet?

Reviewers want Apple to dump magsafe. My argument is they are wrong. That's all.

 

[Rogifan]

C'mon, man. Your responses reek of Jim Jones's favorite drink.

You don't need to own a RMB to know that the MagSafe connector is advantageous. People have already posted more than enough valid reasons to have it here.

The comparison between having MagSafe and not having it are obvious and do not depend on ownership.

The "why" Apple removed it is also irrelevant, unless someone here works at Apple and can comment on its loss with factual info and no speculation.

That said, it's okay if you can or would be okay to live without it (millions of PC users and current RMB do after all), but to a Mac user who has seen MagSafe's value firsthand and whose $1K+ investement has been protected by it, it is priceless.

To them, not having MagSafe makes the product inferior to what came before and forces an (arguably and seemingly) unnecessary tradeoff between machines, given that it even exists on the 11-inch Air.

A product such as this is welcome (in my opinion) to mitigate that choice, although it seems a bit overpriced to me.

Yeah I do want to know from people that own a rMB. Maybe the device is so light MagSafe wouldn't really matter. Maybe Apple tested it and the device didn't go flying off the table. Plenty of people complained about the Apple Pencil and charging via the iPad Pro, mostly just from photos. I own an iPad Pro and an Pencil and I haven't used the adapter once. Plugging it right into the iPad is just so convenient and I set the cap on the bezel of the iPad and the magnets keep it in place. Yet I'll bet most of the complaints about Pencil charging are coming people who don't own one.

If the camera bump on the current iPhones tells you anything, Apple will go to inordinate lengths to slim devices down. No matter how impractical and detrimental it is to functionality.

Hmm...I own an iPhone 6S and nothing about the thickness is detrimental to its functionality for me. Yeah yeah yeah more battery life but I wouldn't want a device heavier than what I have now. I suspect a lot of Apple's decisions are about weight than anything else.

 

[GoodWheaties]

So, this is power only? The pictures on their website show only 3 electrical contacts. So, not a full USB-C, but just power. Which, I guess makes sense, but should be explicitly spelled out in their specs. I guess I could plug this power cable into the breakout adapter. I've had one cable trip already...

I think that is really wise if it is only power. None of us would want to be in the middle of a big transfer and get it interrupted, but to be able to use this on the charger would be awesome.