I've nearly killed my Windows PCs by tripping over the cords. The same with iPhones and iPads. Too bad Apple couldn't build "MagSafe" into the Lightning port.
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Snuglet Kickstarter Project Aims to Secure Loose MagSafe 2 Cables
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I've nearly killed my Windows PCs by tripping over the cords. The same with iPhones and iPads. Too bad Apple couldn't build "MagSafe" into the Lightning port.
Lol
I dont know whether or not there is a valid problem with MagSafe2, but this video is hilarious, and in no way shows a problem...
First show people placing the connector directly on their leg (or a book) with the computer resting on nothing, so the magnet disconnects. This part seems more like a video promoting the benefits of MagSafe...
Ok, Now we have a solution, The Snuglet! This new connector holds tighter, look you can even pull on the cord and you pull the MacBook with you (as others have pointed out the point of MagSafe is it would come out instead of moving the MacBook). Now show people correctly placing MacBook on lap, look connector stays in (Oh wait it would have without the Snuglet), Is this video actually Apple's Idoits guide to MagSafe Connectors in disguise?
I'd still like to see what would happen to the cord/MacBook with the snuglet attached in the "problems with MagSafe" scenarios in the beginning of the video... cable would be kinked at the very least, which could prevent it from charging (and permanently damage the cable)... Great Solution!
I dont know whether or not there is a valid problem with MagSafe2, but this video is hilarious, and in no way shows a problem...
First show people placing the connector directly on their leg (or a book) with the computer resting on nothing, so the magnet disconnects. This part seems more like a video promoting the benefits of MagSafe...
Ok, Now we have a solution, The Snuglet! This new connector holds tighter, look you can even pull on the cord and you pull the MacBook with you (as others have pointed out the point of MagSafe is it would come out instead of moving the MacBook). Now show people correctly placing MacBook on lap, look connector stays in (Oh wait it would have without the Snuglet), Is this video actually Apple's Idoits guide to MagSafe Connectors in disguise?
I'd still like to see what would happen to the cord/MacBook with the snuglet attached in the "problems with MagSafe" scenarios in the beginning of the video... cable would be kinked at the very least, which could prevent it from charging (and permanently damage the cable)... Great Solution!
I'm not sure how many of you in this thread actually use Apple products with MagSafe 2, but I jumped on this as one of the $12 backers in a heartbeat. I knew as soon as I saw the new adapter on the Retina MBP that it would be problematic. Once I was supplied a 13" Air for work it became pretty clear that the magnetic connection was insufficient for any kind of use other than sitting undisturbed on a desk (it's pretty much unusable on your lap). Nobody's asking for such a tight fit that it doesn't come out - all we want is for it to match the secure nature of the original MagSafe. This whole Kickstarter idea is far from "creating a solution to a problem that doesn't exist". On the contrary: I've been annoyed by this ever since I got my Air and grumbled about it quite a bit. We expect a certain level of functional craftsmanship from Apple products, and the MagSafe 2 just seems to have been one where they sacrificed function for form.
You´re sure that the "Allied with the USA" counts as First World? IMO Europe was the First World a long time before the USA even existed
Good grief. How incredibly arrogant of you. Yes, we understand the point of the MagSafe. No, the solution is not education. Is it so hard for you to understand that there are people who use their laptops in very different ways and circumstances than you do, and that as a result, we experience a people you don't?
And for the record, once again I liked the original MagSafe a lot. I busted a Pismo G3 over a decade ago by tripping over its cord. The issue some of us have is the LENGTH of the new MagSafe 2 which results in additional torque being applies on VERTICAL movements.
And why did Apple make a change that led to this a problem? Not because it works better! Instead, it's that whole aesthetic thing around "thinness" led to a design change that was inferior in functionality. Go read David Pogue's NYT article where he refers to MagSafe 2 as "one of Apple's best ideas ever -- made worse." I couldn't agree more. I'll quote him here:
The beauty of the MagSafe connector was that Apple had found precisely the right balance between attachment and detachment. Strong enough to hold the connector in place, weak enough to detach if it gets yanked.
The MagSafe 2 connector fails that balance test. Badly. The magnet is too weak. Its so weak, it keeps falling out. It falls out if you brush it. It falls out if you tip the laptop slightly. It falls out if you look at it funny. Its a huge, huge pain.
A few more things to keep in mind:
- Apple portable computers are not "laptops" they are "notebooks". (http://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html)
- Apple's on-line support docs clearly show how to properly manage your battery. Leaving it plugged in all the time is a no-no. (http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html)
- Service providers are more than happy to fix the damage caused when you use a product like this that does not allow the Magsafe connector to release properly.
More info here on proper usage: http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro/care/
Quote: "Do not place your MacBook Pro on a pillow or other soft material when it's powered on"
"For prolonged use, place your MacBook Pro on a flat, stable surface. Do not place your MacBook Pro on your lap or other body surface for extended periods of time."
- Apple portable computers are not "laptops" they are "notebooks". (http://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html)
- Apple's on-line support docs clearly show how to properly manage your battery. Leaving it plugged in all the time is a no-no. (http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html)
- Service providers are more than happy to fix the damage caused when you use a product like this that does not allow the Magsafe connector to release properly.
More info here on proper usage: http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro/care/
Quote: "Do not place your MacBook Pro on a pillow or other soft material when it's powered on"
"For prolonged use, place your MacBook Pro on a flat, stable surface. Do not place your MacBook Pro on your lap or other body surface for extended periods of time."
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the video pries on your emotion as a video asking for money to cure cancer would. kinda comical.
1) Please point to the Apple URL that says we are not supposed to use these machines on our laps, in bed, and so on.
2) Conditioning your battery means occasional discharges. It does not mean frequent discharges. Even these newer built-in batteries are only estimated to have a life of 1,000 charge cycles. AC power should be the dominant way these laptops are used, if you want the battery to last.
In the video they make the claim that it will disconnect when you want it to. I wonder how long before the first lawsuit is filed when it doesn't disconnect and someone's laptop hits the floor.
Please see my post. All links included.
If you choose to use your devices in a way they were not designed to be used, that is your choice. You are free to do so, but it may end up costing you $$ un repairs. I don't use my iPad as a hammer, although it is certainly heavy enough to pound in a couple nails. Your mileage may vary.
Talk to me when you break your Macbook. Then I'll get the last laugh. It isn't arrogance, it's a strong understanding of Murphy's law: if anything bad can happen, it probably will....
It's not arrogance, it's EXPERIENCE. Heck even you had it happen to you! (so maybe it's ignorance on your part?) I've seen it countless times. Again, I would much rather have a weak power connection on a computer that HAS A BATTERY (so it isn't like it will automatically shut down) then have a $1500 laptop shattered/broken on the floor. I've had a broken laptop because of tripping on a cord and I've had friends with this. I have two macbook airs, one 2011 with the magsafe1 and it moves all the time when someone trips over it. My 2013 won't have that problem with the "weaker" magsafe2.
Apple is trying to make their computers lighter and lighter, which means the connection has to be "weaker" because it will take less pulling force to have the computer fly off the desk/table/etc.
Someday we won't need power cords at all, then all of this won't even be an issue. Until then, I want a cord that does pop out with only a couple pounds of pressure because MY MACBOOK AIR WEIGHS LESS THAN 3 POUNDS!
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Ummm Right here yo.....
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1778#
Yes but the 1,000 charge cycles are full charge discharge. My 2011 MBA is still sitting with something like 750 "cycles" and I constantly use it off a charger for periods of time and then charge it. In fact, almost EVERY day I pull it off a charge, and use it and then charge it back up again. Sometimes I do this multiple times in a day. It still holds 5+ hours on a charge. It isn't like every time you remove it from a charger and use it for 5 minutes, that that counts as a charge "cycle"..... You know that right?
Ignorance is bliss isn't it?
Wow. You completely missed the point. This stuff is elementary logic and reading comprehension, pal. Your links do NOT support the arguments you were trying to make. Nothing suggests that the use of the word "notebook" mean that it it not designed to be used on laps, in beds, etc. Millions of people use them in precisely that way. It's accepted, common, and intended. The fact that you cannot produce any links suggesting these use cases are not recommended further supports my argument that these are valid use cases.
Some people...
But I did provide said link..... While Accepted, they are not INTENDED. Apple specifically states NOT to use on "soft materials"... I.E Pillows and Bedding.
Some People is right!
1) Murphy's Law is a colloquialism. It isn't a law.
2) I explained that I had busted a PowerBook back in the day. The point of the post is that MagSafe is a great idea, but MagSafe 2 is a flawed implementation. Please read that a few times over until it sinks it. You are completely and utterly missing the entire point.
You claim that your MagSafe 1 "moves all the time when someone trips over it." That seems like a subjective claim, not a rigorously tested one. Per what I wrote the first time, what makes the MagSafe 2 a pain in the butt is the way it deals with VERTICAL pressure. Tripping over the cord tends to apply more HORIZONTAL pressure.
An alternative theory is the one I proposed: that thinness won the day as a design criteria, and we have to pay the price accordingly.
Sigh. Reading comprehension FTL. It says, and I quote, "Note: Do not keep you notebook or power adapter in your bed or under your cover as this does not allow adequate airflow." The key part of that keep [it] in your bed. It does NOT say not to use it in bed. Huge difference.
I agree with your last part. You should heed your own advice. On the first part, I understand quite well how it works. I have used 300 charge cycles on my less-than-year-old rMBP. CoconutBattery reports an 11% drop in capacity. And that's with me generally using my computer on AC adapter when possible. If you don't use your Mac much, that's great for you. For the rest of us, the advice given by the guy originally to just drain the battery non-stop is exceptionally poor.
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No. It does not say they are not intended. PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, ACTUALLY READ THE TEXT. It says not to keep it IN THE bed or UNDER the covers. It doesn't say there is any problem putting it on top of your lap while working in bed. In fact, the last part of the sentence is the specifically relevant part: as the material can block the airflow vents. This is about cooling. Good grief.
Liability law is so relevant in today's world that if this were not an intended use case, the text would be crystal clear to suggest it. It isn't, and that's for good reason. As long as there is ample room for the laptop to discharge heat, it's fine.
Argh.
No really?!?! Of course it is a colloquialism. That's what all Adages are, but there is a reason why they come about because they happen enough it is worth noting. *facepalm*
Nope. I'm really not. I'm stating it is exactly as it is needed for today's hardware. Today's hardware is lighter, therefore the force needed for the magsafe to "break" or "snap" from the computer needs to be lighter. It is how it needs to be. You can't expect a magnet that requires 20lbs of force to separate be used on a 3 lb laptop can you? If it take more force to remove than the weight of the object, the object will just go with it. Magsafe2 is EXACTLY as it NEEDS to be. Since Apple and the rest of the industry is going with Light computers, then the connection between the power cord and the laptop needs to be LIGHT. This is where YOU are missing the point
Tripping is only one example of something that can be done to inadvertently pull a power cord. Someone could yank (I have a 2 year old). Thus it needs to be easily "popped" off in all directions.
I'm confused about what you don't understand in Apple's own documents....
If you are in bed, you are most likely under the covers which is a soft material:
Do not operate your notebook on a pillow or other soft material, as the material can block the airflow vents
If you are using it on your lap:
The bottom of your Mac notebook may become very warm during normal use. If your notebook is on your lap and gets uncomfortably warm, move it to a stable work surface that allows for good ventilation.
Now Apple doesn't state you CAN'T use it in your lap, but they pretty much imply that it is not INTENDED to be used in your lap. Here's your quote:
Nothing suggests that the use of the word "notebook" mean that it it not designed to be used on laps, in beds, etc. Millions of people use them in precisely that way. It's accepted, common, and intended.
Clearly Apple does not INTEND for you to use it in bed or on your lap or else their direct documentation would recommend you not use it because HEAT DISSIPATION IS EVERYTHING to a computer.
Evidently you did not actually read the info. It actually spells it out for you. I'm done.
No, it doesn't. Just because you want to read something in between the lines doesn't mean it's there. If you didn't have an axe to grind, I think you'd realize the whole thing is about cooling, and it's very easy to have a set up in bed that uses neither pillows nor comforters in a way that would compromise cooling. In fact, design changes (i.e., moving the vents) from the TiBook to the AlBook to the rMBP have improved cooling with each iteration and made the surface less of an issue.
However, given that you do have an axe to grind, yeah, I'd say we're both done.
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I agree, Kickstarter has just made it too easy for bad idea's to appear in the marketplace. The video showing the MBA sliding off his knee is beyond deliberate exaggeration I thought I was watching a late night infomercial. The use cases are simply not realistic. If I am using my MBA or MBP on my lap.. it's not plugged in, that's why they have a battery. If it's on my desk I move a damn book 3", I don't try to reinvent the magsafe adapter which works very well.
Not that I would waste my money, but I can already see the lawsuit coming when someone trips on the cord and it pulls your MBA off a table because it's too strong. Guess who won't be around to cover those claims... Snuglet.
No reason to argue why this product is needed. The numbers speak for themselves. It's been funded in 2 days.
It's simple, if you don't have a need then don't buy it. I'm not sure why people in this thread feel the need to put down others who do have a need.
No I'm working next to electrical contacts and expensive computers that might short from a spark in the terminals.
Also, imagine having to replace your entire logic board from a single power jack failure. I mean, what use is a laptop if you can't give it power?
I have recently got rid of my 27" iMac and become a rMBP owner for the first time, so this is my first experience of a mag safe adapter and, hand on heart and without wishing to offend anyone I must say that to complain about the ease of detachment is downright delusional or churlish at the very least.
First test I made is trying to pull it straight out, and I find that is near impossible the magnet is that strong.
Next I try pushing straight down on the cable re-enforcer that comes out of the magsafe (I can do this easily as my rMBP is elevated), what I note is first of all it takes a fair bit of pressure simply to get it to push down to the point where it is still attached with power going through it. To push it to the next detente position where it stops feeding power, yet still remains attached and snaps back into place takes even more pressure.
If I give it a sharp downward tap with a fair bit of pressure then it detaches quickly. It doesn't feel like much pressure because of the rapidity of the blow but the slow motion movement above shows that it really does require a decent tap. i.e. dropping a pencil on it won't work.
So to sum up, this magsafe design as it currently is on the latest rMBP is in my opinion about as perfect and solid as any non anal person would expect it to be.
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First test I made is trying to pull it straight out, and I find that is near impossible the magnet is that strong.
Next I try pushing straight down on the cable re-enforcer that comes out of the magsafe (I can do this easily as my rMBP is elevated), what I note is first of all it takes a fair bit of pressure simply to get it to push down to the point where it is still attached with power going through it. To push it to the next detente position where it stops feeding power, yet still remains attached and snaps back into place takes even more pressure.
If I give it a sharp downward tap with a fair bit of pressure then it detaches quickly. It doesn't feel like much pressure because of the rapidity of the blow but the slow motion movement above shows that it really does require a decent tap. i.e. dropping a pencil on it won't work.
So to sum up, this magsafe design as it currently is on the latest rMBP is in my opinion about as perfect and solid as any non anal person would expect it to be.
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