It's very limiting the way Apple includes such short charging cable with the retina Macbook. Is there any cheap solution to extend the length of the cable??
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
why is the charging cord so short...?!?!?!
- Thread starter Macbook14in
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
You can use the same power cord extension cable that works on all the other macbook chargers. I do occasionally. If you don't have any extra ones lying around, you can buy it from Apple or eBay. This is from Apple: $19.00
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/M...rid_52243317130_&cid=aos-us-kwg-pla-btb-slid-
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/M...rid_52243317130_&cid=aos-us-kwg-pla-btb-slid-
Because most Apple customers have a bin full of figure-8 cords from past Apple purchases. But if you don't, for God's sake do not think you have to blow US$19.00 buying one from Apple. This cord is a commodity available literally anywhere that sells electronics or electrical goods, including your local supermarket, drug store, Walmart or Target — and should cost about four or five bucks. It's US$3.00 on Amazon.com. But if you've ever bought any electronic product before in your lifetime, you already have this cable in your home just waiting for you to wake up and realize the fact.
Last edited:
I don't understand this or the other responses?
The cord is 6' long.....what more do you want? I was surprised it was this long.....most are in the 3-4' range.
My only complaint is the USB-C cables are so thick and sort of bulky.
The MacBook is mobile and is not normally used while plugged in so why do you need a longer cord?
The MacBook is a notebook computer and is going to be regularly used as such, no matter how mobile the device is. Sometimes people are sitting at their desk and have a low battery, or don't want to waste valuable charge cycles, and need more cord length than just six feet to reach an outlet. It happens, which is why previous MacBooks shipped with cord extenders...because there was a definite need for them.
Not to many products now days that would ship with a cord longer than 6' and most are shorter.
Not an Apple issue...and can't say I've ever had the need for a longer cable.
This MacBook is not like previous units either.....its small sleek and very lightweight making it a mobile companion, not a standard notebook IMHO.
Heck, the power cable on my desktop iMac 5k is shorter than the one that comes with the MacBook.
Do what you need to do to make a longer cord but I can't honestly say "why is the charging cord so short..." like the OP suggests.
Is little more than this, someone likely suggested look how much "we" will save on a projected number of sales, and here we are. Given the price of the rMB it`s really a cheap move on Apple`s behalf, extension cable & basic USB C to A should be in the box, they are not so all the better for Apple, big surprise...
Bottom line is Apple is plain greedy, margins on some product is simply ridiculous, instantly triggers my BS meter. As my father would say fools and their money.....
Q-6
You can get a white 12 foot extension cord for $2.58. Is that cheap enough?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/12-ft-16-2-SPT-2-Cube-Tap-Extension-Cord-White-AW62640/100672800
http://www.homedepot.com/p/12-ft-16-2-SPT-2-Cube-Tap-Extension-Cord-White-AW62640/100672800
Last edited:
Just because you haven't had a need for a longer cable doesn't mean that it's the same way for everyone else. In college, I needed the extension cable that Apple provided all of the time, especially when you need more juice and have to find an outlet in a crowded classroom. You can't always sit right on top of a power outlet. This is just one example of many.
This MacBook is a lot like previous MacBooks in one respect. I mean, it may be thinner and lighter than other MacBooks, but the same could be said of lots of other previous Apple notebooks over the years, couldn't it? Apple's been concentrating on making their notebooks thinner and lighter since the late 90's. The MacBook Air that first came out in 2008 is a good example. It was once considered small, sleek, and lightweight...an ultraportable that wasn't considered the standard notebook. Now, the title of "thin and light" has passed onto the MacBook, but it's not a unique title to hold IMO. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air has now been relegated to "standard notebook" status.
The reason that some people are complaining is because MacBook's always came with an extension cable in the box with the MagSafe power adapter, and they declined to do so with the MacBook. Now the standard power cord length out-of-the-box is about half of what it was, as Apple is no longer providing what they used to provide to their customers as standard equipment. Sure, they can just use an extension cable from a previous MacBook, buy an extender from Apple for $20, or save the money and get one cheaper elsewhere. However, I think it's sometimes the principle of things. Apple is a company that is increasingly seen as extremely greedy, and this is just another example to point to in favor of that idea.
Meh. The USBC is already too long. I'd rather a shorter one actually.
Who in this age has a desk without a variety of power outlets available? I just plug the adapter into this guy until I decide on a powered dock/hub that I'll keep at my desk.
BTW, OWC carries the three prong extender for the power adapter if anyone really must have this style. Five dollars. http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/PWRCBLMSAB/
Who in this age has a desk without a variety of power outlets available? I just plug the adapter into this guy until I decide on a powered dock/hub that I'll keep at my desk.
BTW, OWC carries the three prong extender for the power adapter if anyone really must have this style. Five dollars. http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/PWRCBLMSAB/
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Give $11 to Amazon and you're all set.
3 meter USB C to C cable:
http://www.amazon.com/CHOETECH-Hi-speed-Devices-Including-ChromeBook/dp/B017W2RWAO
That was...
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Dude, just need to add the extension cord, then the power cable is longer than any other Mac portable produced
All the same Apple is just being cheap omitting it. I have the extension cord with me when I travel, as sometimes power sockets are just not in the right place...Q-6