I agree the new style sucks, plus I've always thought it should be on back port of the computer not side. But anyways, if I'm on the couch for example or Florida room and dogs and cat start running and chasing each other like crack head lunatics, so many times they catch on the cord and the old style just comes undone no problem, the new one though will yank the computer and rarely come out and I have to jump and grab it if it's on the ottoman and not my lap. Already knocked on the floor once b/c of that. 13" with the old style, not worried about it at all with the old cord.
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New Style Magsafe is rubbish!
- Thread starter AndyR
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I prefer the old style as well. Maybe my new one is too new and the magnets stronger but my old one would release every time I would tug on it, a couple of times it happen could have been fatal. The new one seems to be holding on a bit too much and won't work in certain directions. It also forces you to plug it in only one direction, meaning you have a loop of cable if the cable comes from the front of the laptop.
Though I know some people for who the plug frayed, mine was on it's way after 3 years. But that had more to do with the material and the strain relief system than the way it plugs.
Though I know some people for who the plug frayed, mine was on it's way after 3 years. But that had more to do with the material and the strain relief system than the way it plugs.
L-shape MagSafe: Outcome of a failed design cycle
Dear AndyR and other critics!
I'm glad to find your rightly critique of the new L-Shape design of the MagSafe power adapter! I googled for about 60 minutes, read 100eds of posts, and this post is the first pointing out the design failure of the L-shaped MagSafe power adapter!
You realized this out of an incident! Thanks for reporting! To me the safety design failure was clear from mere observation and common sense (of gravity and drag forces), and some conducted experiments, which proved, that dragging the cable into the various possible angles, prevents only 60% of the accidents with the L-Shape, whereas the original T-shape prevents 90-100% of the accidents! I'm glad to have AndyR's real life proof, gladly he could prevent the worst, by his quick reaction!
Dear engineers at Apple!
Prove me, if AndyR's and my conclusions are wrong. But to me, the design cycle of the portable Macs' power adapters shows that Apple is designing into the wrong direction, leading me to consider refraining from further Apple products, although I was a satisfied Apple user since 1992 (Macintosh LC)!
Apple's power connector design cycle, and the bad state (3) in which we now are:
Dear AndyR and other critics!
I'm glad to find your rightly critique of the new L-Shape design of the MagSafe power adapter! I googled for about 60 minutes, read 100eds of posts, and this post is the first pointing out the design failure of the L-shaped MagSafe power adapter!
You realized this out of an incident! Thanks for reporting! To me the safety design failure was clear from mere observation and common sense (of gravity and drag forces), and some conducted experiments, which proved, that dragging the cable into the various possible angles, prevents only 60% of the accidents with the L-Shape, whereas the original T-shape prevents 90-100% of the accidents! I'm glad to have AndyR's real life proof, gladly he could prevent the worst, by his quick reaction!
Dear engineers at Apple!
Prove me, if AndyR's and my conclusions are wrong. But to me, the design cycle of the portable Macs' power adapters shows that Apple is designing into the wrong direction, leading me to consider refraining from further Apple products, although I was a satisfied Apple user since 1992 (Macintosh LC)!
Apple's power connector design cycle, and the bad state (3) in which we now are:
- Apple uses friction-based power connectors. SIMPLY and thus AFFORDABLE, but more RISKY in case of a power cord slipping accident.
- Apple changes to the more sophisticated magnetic power connector MagSafe, which is MORE EXPENSIVE, but worthy as it's MORE ACCIDENT-PROOF and CONVENIENT.
- Apple changes the design of the MagSafe, to the L-Shape, in order to COUNTER the cable fraying ISSUES, etc. But the new design DOES NOT PROVIDE ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE, the accident risk being too HIGH, while being still expensive (compared to friction based connectors).
New Magsafe fried my computer internally and externally
AndyR is right it won't disconnect as easily and it my case it fried the magsafe and damaged my internal battery.
When they tried fixing the fraying cable with this new design they killed the purpose of the gear: safety.
Now I realized that ok my display is way more safe than with a non magnetic attachment, but it's so dangerous my computer got an electric shot and killed my work, my battery, my power adapter.
Apple, I love you guys but at one point you were "think different", not it's just time to 'think'.
This magsafe new design has technological issues the old one didn't have.
Anyway I made a video how the magsafe shorted on me:
http://youtu.be/f9fbQYXV41E
AndyR is right it won't disconnect as easily and it my case it fried the magsafe and damaged my internal battery.
When they tried fixing the fraying cable with this new design they killed the purpose of the gear: safety.
Now I realized that ok my display is way more safe than with a non magnetic attachment, but it's so dangerous my computer got an electric shot and killed my work, my battery, my power adapter.
Apple, I love you guys but at one point you were "think different", not it's just time to 'think'.
This magsafe new design has technological issues the old one didn't have.
Anyway I made a video how the magsafe shorted on me:
http://youtu.be/f9fbQYXV41E
This is my first macbook, but is the cable supposed to be very stiff, so it can be bent/wrapped only 1 way?
Mine seems that if I try to wrap it around itself, it might fray/crack the cable. Seems strange that they would make it perform that way when trying to store it.
Mine seems that if I try to wrap it around itself, it might fray/crack the cable. Seems strange that they would make it perform that way when trying to store it.
Good luck with that, since only the new L style is available from Apple. I also think the old T-style is better at disconnecting, but the new one seems ok otherwise.
@Smork
the cable is quite stiff, but don't worry, you won't break it by wrapping it up for storage.
I like the L plug. And twice I've seen people make them function as they should.
But in all seriousness, why the heck would anyone use their laptop plugged in unless they are sitting at a table/counter or a desk? Especially the new ones, they get 5-7 hours of battery runtime.
But in all seriousness, why the heck would anyone use their laptop plugged in unless they are sitting at a table/counter or a desk? Especially the new ones, they get 5-7 hours of battery runtime.
kockgunner
macrumors 68000
I didn't like the L ones either because it's way too strong on my 2010 Macbook Pro. It did save my computer numerous times, but others, the computer was dragged across the table.
However, I know someone with a 2011 model, and the L shape adapter is less strong and pops out easier so effectively it's almost like the T style one in terms of detachment.
However, I know someone with a 2011 model, and the L shape adapter is less strong and pops out easier so effectively it's almost like the T style one in terms of detachment.
I hate all of the magsafe chargers
😡 I hate all of the magsafe chargers, in general Apple chargers seem the weakest if all of the chargers I have at my home. Even the charger on my old Acer Aspire One seems more substantial then these magsafe things. I wish I could replace the complete Magsafe system with a traditional barrel connector. The Charger is the only weakness that i have found with my MBP and it is cause enough for me to completely hate my MBP. In fact Im considering taking it to the local pawn shop and trading it for a computer with a real charger. Such delicate little piles of cheap plastic and solid core wires.
🙁
😡 I hate all of the magsafe chargers, in general Apple chargers seem the weakest if all of the chargers I have at my home. Even the charger on my old Acer Aspire One seems more substantial then these magsafe things. I wish I could replace the complete Magsafe system with a traditional barrel connector. The Charger is the only weakness that i have found with my MBP and it is cause enough for me to completely hate my MBP. In fact Im considering taking it to the local pawn shop and trading it for a computer with a real charger. Such delicate little piles of cheap plastic and solid core wires.
🙁😡 I hate all of the magsafe chargers, in general Apple chargers seem the weakest if all of the chargers I have at my home. Even the charger on my old Acer Aspire One seems more substantial then these magsafe things. I wish I could replace the complete Magsafe system with a traditional barrel connector. The Charger is the only weakness that i have found with my MBP and it is cause enough for me to completely hate my MBP. In fact Im considering taking it to the local pawn shop and trading it for a computer with a real charger. Such delicate little piles of cheap plastic and solid core wires.
What?!?! I'm on my third laptop now and with exception of my very first, white macbook, whose charger has a sporadic connection (but still works), I have had no problems with 3 of my other chargers. I'm careful with my gear and I don't coil the cable around the folding arms. I pull the charger out of the wall by the removable socket, so as to not break it. The Magsafe saved me once and I am grateful for it.
DoNoHarm
macrumors 65816
I think the magsafe is one of the best inventions for laptops. It's one of those simple yet so usefull things that defines Apple... That being said, I also prefered the old design simply because when sitting at a desk in situations where the power brick wasn't coming from behind the computer, the old design made it much easier to keep the wire from getting caught under one's wrist as you typed.....