If you mean the concept of magnetic connectors, no, Apple didn't invent them: as with many other cases Apple took and improved an already existing technology and adapted it to its own uses. Magnetical connectors existed long before Apple patented MagSafe and the MagSafe patent itself lists prior art which dates back to 1939 (Patent US2170287: Detachable electrical connector).
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Griffin Introduces BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable for 12-Inch MacBook
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All MacBooks until the breakaway cable was introduced. Fixed White 13 inchers, clam shell colored books , black T4000s (Don't remember exactly that model name) etc.
So now if someone trips over the power cord strung across the aisle it not only takes the computer but also the aux disk drive you have attached and bangs them down on the floor. Just maybe the power cord should be separate? We don't typically run the disk drive cables across the aisle.
I have mixed feelings about the Magsafe connector. I have an 11" MBA with Magsafe 2, which somehow annoys me. I was very happy with the original Magsafe adapters on my previous Macs but Magsafe 2 really ruined the experience. First of all, Magsafe 2 is still strong enough to pull the computer off the table if the cord is pulled straight. To give you an example, it is strong enough to keep the 11" Air dangling in the air by itself if you lift it gently without bending the cable. On the other hand, Magsafe 2 is annoyingly weak to bending forces. It detaches itself nearly every time I lift the Air with the cord attached. Most of the time when someone trips the cable, the pull would be straight and the magnet is strong enough to pull the computer off the table if the computer slides on the table easily.
So, while the idea of having the Magsafe was good to begin with, Magsafe 2 was a backwards design, compromising functionality for the sake of thinness. Jony seems to be putting form over function more and more with his latest designs.
New Apple devices are like the high heel fashion shoes that look great but horrible to walk on. Compromise after compromise just for the sake of looks.
So, now that the Magsafe is ruined by the introduction of Magsafe 2, they may as well ditch it all together. Perhaps they'll keep it on the heavier and bigger Macs for a while.
Technically speaking however, the fact that the USB-C now carries both data and power, it would be silly to make it easily detachable. If you switch to a single port design, which is perhaps a good thing because it makes a single plug docking possible, and when Apple comes with a new USB-C Cinema Display, all of this will make a lot more sense and people will forget about the Magsafe adapter or having only one port.
So, while the idea of having the Magsafe was good to begin with, Magsafe 2 was a backwards design, compromising functionality for the sake of thinness. Jony seems to be putting form over function more and more with his latest designs.
New Apple devices are like the high heel fashion shoes that look great but horrible to walk on. Compromise after compromise just for the sake of looks.
So, now that the Magsafe is ruined by the introduction of Magsafe 2, they may as well ditch it all together. Perhaps they'll keep it on the heavier and bigger Macs for a while.
Technically speaking however, the fact that the USB-C now carries both data and power, it would be silly to make it easily detachable. If you switch to a single port design, which is perhaps a good thing because it makes a single plug docking possible, and when Apple comes with a new USB-C Cinema Display, all of this will make a lot more sense and people will forget about the Magsafe adapter or having only one port.
This is exactly what I thought until I read about the why of their switch over. The reason MagSafe 2 is weaker is because the laptops are getting lighter, which the original MagSafe would much more likely pull the laptop off the table if someone tripped over it. Now with an even lighter MacBook, MagSafe 2 is again too strong so it no longer made sense to make it quick detachable.
I think Phil Schiller also said the new MB is meant to be used like an iPad: charge it over night, use it during the day. It's not perfect but it's not as bad as I initially thought.
Magsafe 2 is is only weaker to bending forces but it is still just as strong as the original Magsafe for axial pulls. The reason why it is weaker to bending forces is the fact that the contact profile is now more elongated (thin). So, I don't think it has anything to do with the laptops getting lighter, which they are not by the way, but more to do with them getting thinner. I still think the change was more for the looks.
Phill Schiller is right. He wants the 12" MB to be treated as an iPad - an iPad that runs OS X, which is really what it is.
That is a good point regarding proprietary equipment and I agree, for the most part.
I wish Apple incorporated more standard stuff in their devices.
But still, the MagSafe connector concept is so good and beneficial that I believe it to be the exception, and one of the major reasons to buy a Mac portable. I feel they should have adapted it so the power brick end is universal, instead of getting rid of it entirely.
MagSafe is a protection device. Macs are expensive for what you do with them. I'd want to protect my investment and not have it fly off the table, shelf, etc, accidentally. I cannot count the times MagSafe has saved my laptops as my 4 kids forget it's plugged in and pick it up and go without looking, or stand up from the table they're using it on and rip the cable out suddenly as they get up to go do something in a hurry (like say, use the restroom).
So, if users are willing to live with the compromise, then more power to them.
Then again, I would NEVER buy that computer and opt for an Air instead.
Too limited, too compromised for a little weight loss. I'm not a weakling.
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I have to agree with that.
Hopefully, he won't sweepingly apply these concepts to the rest of the Mac lineup, (like what Apple did with the Mac Pro), and they continue to sell the other form factors.
That, my friend, is the scary part.
I own a 1.2, nor does the lack of Mag Safe bother me. As has been stated it`s likely due to the significantly more complex USB C connection carrying both power & data with up to 24 lines, making a magnetic connector impractical without a separate charging port.
Q-6
The BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable is now available on Griffin's website. I just ordered one. Use code ACR3-9FE9 for 20% off.
Well, mine just arrived last night, and after a day of use I'm more than a little disappointed. No, I'm not a troll. I really wanted to like this product, as I have already tripped over my cable a couple times, yanking the whole computer. The issue is the cable is too thick and stiff. I'm not sure how they managed to make a power only cable be larger in diameter and stiffer than the original Apple cable, when the Apple cable has all the signals in it. Frankly, they either thought they were doing a good thing (bigger conductor equals better power performance which isn't alway true), or they cheaped out with their supplier, or they simply never tried their own product. The original Apple cable is supple and drapes anywhere, while the Griffin cable is stiff and puts torque on the connector, which oh yeah, has a magnetic connection so comes off easily. It is very frustrating to have to worry about where and how the cable is laying, rather than just forgetting about. I honestly don't know how they made a 2-3 conductor cable so thick and stiff. I really wanted this product to work for me.
Thanks for posting. I got mine as well but have not unboxed. Was concerned about the thickness. Its pressing out if the box. Will be sending it back.
nks
