MacWizards Power Cord

[MACDRIVE]

The UPS truck brought one of these by yesterday evening and it seems to be working fine. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. 😉

MacWizards

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

Seems like a nice concept. However they are only for older mactops right? The cord fraying is especially a problem for the new magsafe adapters though... 🙁

 

[MACDRIVE]

However they are only for older mactops right?

Yes they seem to be only available for PowerBooks and iBooks at the present. I'm guessing that perhaps Apple has not yet given permission to aftermarket manufacturers to produce the MagSafe version yet.

 

[pkoch1]

I have one of those and sometimes if my computer battery is dead, it will not give enough power to start up my computer so I have to start it up on my original power supply, and then switch over after the computer is on. Weird, eh?

 

[KGrent]

Not fancy, but good adapter.

I have one of those and sometimes if my computer battery is dead, it will not give enough power to start up my computer so I have to start it up on my original power supply, and then switch over after the computer is on. Weird, eh?

Hm... I'm using one of the MacWizards PowerBook adapters and not seeing that problem. Maybe something is going on with your battery?

I got a pair of these adapters about a year ago. They aren't fancy, but they are durable and a lot less expensive than the Apple ones. Seems like a good product, wish they would make one for the MacBook.

 

[polycat33]

Seems like a nice concept. However they are only for older mactops right? The cord fraying is especially a problem for the new magsafe adapters though... 🙁

Yeah, Apple are the only ones who can make the magsafe, who knows if they'll ever let others make it, it certain is a good way to keep people coming back to buy from them instead of places like MacWizards...

 

[JenRiskin]

Yeah, Apple are the only ones who can make the magsafe, who knows if they'll ever let others make it, it certain is a good way to keep people coming back to buy from them instead of places like MacWizards...

Why is Apple the only one that can make it? I'm not thrilled with the whole magnetic connector thing (seems like a gimic), but it seems pretty simple to duplicate.

 

[Telefonkiosk]

Others can't replicate it because of the patent obviously.

 

[JenRiskin]

Others can't replicate it because of the patent obviously.

They say patent pending, but I can't find a patent application... and magnetic connectors have been on rice cookers for decades. Can't see how Apple would get the patent if they did apply for it.

 

[klymr]

They say patent pending, but I can't find a patent application... and magnetic connectors have been on rice cookers for decades. Can't see how Apple would get the patent if they did apply for it.

How about this one and this one?

 

[JenRiskin]

How about this one and this one?

I stand corrected! So no one else can use a magnet to connect an electrical plug to an electronic device?

From the patent application: "An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply."

There are already a bunch of electronics out there that have magnetic connectors on their power cords (there's one in my kitchen now). Here's just one example:

Rice Cooker with Magnetic Power Cord

Can Apple still get the patent issued with all these devices out there that pre-date them? ... is Apple coming after my rice cooker! 😱

 

[klymr]

I stand corrected! So no one else can use a magnet to connect an electrical plug to an electronic device?

From the patent application: "An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply."

There are already a bunch of electronics out there that have magnetic connectors on their power cords (there's one in my kitchen now). Here's just one example:

Rice Cooker with Magnetic Power Cord

Can Apple still get the patent issued with all these devices out there that pre-date them? ... is Apple coming after my rice cooker! 😱

I'd guess only if they haven't been patented already. Oh, and I wasn't trying to call you out on the magsafe patent. Just informing ya that they truely are out there.