Why isn't the MacBook Pro charger brick made out of aluminum for better heat dissipation?

[qqurioustiger8945]

I think by 2019, we've all figured out that aluminum body on any electronic device grants better heat dissipation than plastic does.

That's why Apple has stopped using plastic on their MacBooks' bodies like they used to.

So why is the charger still using a plastic shell? Am I missing something?

I'm planning to drastically increase the usage of CPU on my MacBook Pro as I'm getting into video editing. What can I do to make sure the charger brick isn't fried? Put a fan on it while it's on the wall plug? Any suggestions?

😥

 

[mick2]

So why is the charger still using a plastic shell? Am I missing something?

I'm planning to drastically increase the usage of CPU on my MacBook Pro as I'm getting into video editing. What can I do to make sure the charger brick isn't fried? Put a fan on it while it's on the wall plug? Any suggestions?

😥

Because, presumably, the heat dissipation using plastic is good enough. I doun't think that power brick over heating on MBPs has ever been a prevalent issue, including for people who use their machines for video editing. FWIW I've used MBPs for professional on-location 4k footage capturing and processing for several years and the standard power adapters have coped with this fine. It's simply not a problem that needs a solution, ime.

 

[0906742]

Well, three things that comes to my mind first are cost, COST and the fact that you would likely have to always use grounded plug for the metal cased charger (because like when you feel the tingling when you touch your MacBook when your charger does no have 3-prong cable in grounded outlet would happen in that case too).

 

[leman]

I think by 2019, we've all figured out that aluminum body on any electronic device grants better heat dissipation than plastic does.

Why do you need better heat dissipation on the charger?

So why is the charger still using a plastic shell? Am I missing something?

Cost, weight. but most of all, safety. I am certainly not coming close to a wall-plugged charger made from a conductive material.

What can I do to make sure the charger brick isn't fried?

It won't get fried. It's a charger, it does what it is supposed to do.

 

[qqurioustiger8945]

Well, three things that comes to my mind first are cost, COST and the fact that you would likely have to always use grounded plug for the metal cased charger (because like when you feel the tingling when you touch your MacBook when your charger does no have 3-prong cable in grounded outlet would happen in that case too).

That's very true, even if a plastic handle would be implemented to solve the tingling issue, the average person would just go ahead and plug/unplug the brick by touching it anywhere.

I had a MacBook (non-Pro) brick die on me while using it in the past and ever since I've been very mindful about it.

I'll probably just buy some USB fan off eBay and point it on the plug on the wall while charging.

That'll hopefully be more than enough.

Worse case scenario and brick fries, does it endanger the battery or even logic board as well, or do I just buy a new brick and I'm all set?

Thanks.

 

[Moonjumper]

As a guess (cannot be certain for sure as I haven't used an aluminium charger), a MacBook Pro has low heat dissipation spread over a large area, and low pressure contact with the person. But a charger has high heat dissipation spread over a small area, and high pressure contact with the person. i.e. It would be too hot to grip tightly enough to pull from the socket.

 

[Howard2k]

Buy a small portable A/C unit for it.

 

[yukari]

I can't believe someone is actually asking this question on an electrical equipment.

 

[qqurioustiger8945]

I can't believe someone is actually asking this question on an electrical equipment.

Like I said, if it had a plastic handle, why would it be bad in your opinion?

 

[PROFESS0R]

Have you ever seen a metal outlet cover? Noting that the metal prongs on the charger fold, imagine if you will, a metal case, with a metal outlet cover and folding metal prongs... stupidity is rampant here in the US; someone will manage to electrocute themselves and Apple will be sued. Oh... and cost. Higher risk + higher cost + not necessary = stupid corporate decision. Plastic handle increases cost on top of that stupid decision, making a plastic handle turn a stupid decision into a ludicrously stupid decision.

Yes, I spent 35 years as a design electrical engineer before becoming a professor... I know this space well.

Joe

Like I said, if it had a plastic handle, why would it be bad in your opinion?

 

[throAU]

1. weight
2. cost (this is a relatively disposable/losable/replaceable component of the macbook)
3. plastic is less likely to permanently dent inwards and is not electrically conductive

[automerge]1569398231[/automerge]

Like I said, if it had a plastic handle, why would it be bad in your opinion?

A plastic handle is not good enough. I'm not one of those "but think of the children!" people, but .... kids will grab it by whatever. So will I after a few brews. You can't simply rely on an end user to have to grasp something properly or they get a potentially lethal electrical shock.

That's not how safety works.

 

[buran-energia]

So why is the charger still using a plastic shell? Am I missing something?

1. I imagine safety is the main reason in case it's not grounded and something breaks.
2. The charger breaking when pushing the macbook to the max is probably the least of your worries, in a sense that something else will probably break before it.
3. What makes you think the charger doesn't dissipate heat well enough to begin with?

 

[timish]

Be careful what you ask for. You might end up with a $1000 made of "Unobtanium" charger.

 

[TheIntruder]

That's why Apple has stopped using plastic on their MacBooks' bodies like they used to.

Except that's not why Apple designed the MBA, then the MBP with an Al monocoque. Revisit the October 2008 keynote for the primary objectives.