Why MagSafe is a bad thing

[vinay427]

True. 100 watt max for USB-C. Intel Macbook 16 inches were 96w.

False (more to the commenter you replied to). Apple's own 140W power adapter supports more than 100W over USB C, even if the Mac's USB C ports apparently don't support it. It uses the newer USB C PD 3.1 standard, which supports up to 240W. The limitation to MagSafe 140W charging on the 16-inch is because Apple didn't implement it in the Mac's USB C ports, even though they did on the adapter.

USB Charger (USB Power Delivery) | USB-IF

www.usb.org

 

[phrehdd]

All of the reviewers and early adopters gushing over MagSafe has made me wonder, who the hell goes around tripping over their charging cable every other day?

Jokes aside I guess people with kids could benefit from it, but I have never experienced nor have I heard of anyone tripping over their charging cable and having their laptop fall in the floor. Which is seemingly the only reason MagSafe exists.

USB-C is superior in that it is as close to a universal port as we are likely to get this lifetime, it is small, it carries data, there’s one on each side of the laptop so you don’t need to wrap your cable around the device.

So I hear some of you saying, since I prefer USB-C why don’t I use that and you use what you prefer, choice! Right?

Well on the surface this is a good argument, except the I believe the introduction of MagSafe will all but kill USB-C. We all know how other manufacturers like to copy apple, I expect it to be the same for power delivery, each one will invent their own MagSafe and we will end up with many different standards. I guess we will see what happens to MagSafe in the future, but if lightning is any indication apple will milk it until it’s bone dry. Meaning it might be the only charging port next time around.

In the end I’m disappointed, apple drove usb c adoption in a big way and I doubt it has the impetus to continue without apples help. I made a small trip the other weekend with my iPhone, iPad and new MacBook, I had to bring two chargers, who the hell would want to bring three?

I believe that in some instances that a usb-c cable can indeed be used for charging. As well, there are a few magnetic end pieces that can be used to act like the magsafe cable. The catch is you have to put a piece of the solution into the USB port. Ideally a 5a capable USB C cable would make sense to handle the correct charge. Solutions can include a cable or you can get a piece that you put on yourself to an end of a cable you have and the other magnetic part resides in your USB C port. I have the latter for another device and opted for the 20 pin version as it will do better with some data situations as well.

 

[smiddlehurst]

But you just lost one usb c port for MagSafe

Nope, don't believe that's correct. Remember MagSafe isn't chewing through any data connections right now and based on that HDMI port not being HDMI 2.1 I suspect the MacBook Pro is very much out of spare bandwidth. Apple could, of course, add more... but 3 40Gbps USB-C ports is probably the sweet spot for something like this.

Now I say this as someone who didn't see the point of bringing it back as I'll be charging on USB-C most of the time: I've come around to the idea. My home and work setups stay USB-C and compatible with anything that needs charging, the MagSafe goes in the bag when travelling. And in *that* situation where I've got cables meandering across hotel rooms or grabbing a quick charge on the go in your stereotypical coffee shop of choice, yeah, MagSafe is a good thing! Same if you're using this in a production environment with performers, stage hands, sound techs etc.

Will it replace USB-C? No but, hey, if they build a magnetic attachment system into the USB spec that's probably be a significant improvement! It'd certainly cut down on the amount of gear I've got to replace thanks to clumsy end users on everything from laptops to cameras.

 

[hyperreal]

I don't get the "every other day" part. If it can save me from a rare scenario where my Mac could be damaged I think that's great.

Yeah. You won't know if you will need it but you will be happy if and when you do.
I'm generally very careful with tech products. I haven't broken a single smartphone or laptop and I'm generally mindful when I'm near expensive electronics. But stuff can still happen.
I was once sitting on the couch with my MacBook on a coffee table in front of me, plugged in. I then heard something that immediately told me that my cat was going to puke so I quickly stood up and rushed to see what's going on, when I felt something tangled in my foot. It was the charging cable. My brain went "ok, you're either going to trip and hurt your face or something is going to get yanked from the table". And then I heard a snap, the cable fell out and the computer didn't even move.

It's a brilliant feature.

 

[fenderbass146]

I really wished that the return of MagSafe could have come with power + data. Kind of like Microsoft's surface connector. Folks would have balked at the proprietary nature of it, but imagine full charging power and all that connectively with just a single cable.

For the record, I really like one-cable docking. In fact, with my 14" machine, I have yet to use the MagSafe because I'm hooked up to a CalDigit dock via USB-C/TB. The MagSafe is now in my travel bag.

This exactly, If I had to pick, I'd keep USB C/TB because of docking stations and single cable setup, but Magsafe makes perfect sense for travel and the 90+ percent of people that don't use docking stations.

 

[masotime]

That’s the standard for USB-C chargers, not USB-C cables, and Apple’s charger does support that standard. The corresponding USB-C cable standard (USB-C Cable 2.1: https://usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-cable-and-connector-specification-revision-21) to support the full power of USB-PD 3.1 chargers wasn’t finalized until September, so there wasn’t enough time for Apple to design, test, certify, and manufacture USB-C cables with the new standard. We probably won’t see cables supporting the new standard from any company until next year.

Sure, but the original comment I replied to made no distinction between cables or chargers. It simply said that the standard “doesn’t exist”.

It clearly does exist.

 

[EdT]

All of the reviewers and early adopters gushing over MagSafe has made me wonder, who the hell goes around tripping over their charging cable every other day?

Jokes aside I guess people with kids could benefit from it, but I have never experienced nor have I heard of anyone tripping over their charging cable and having their laptop fall in the floor. Which is seemingly the only reason MagSafe exists.

USB-C is superior in that it is as close to a universal port as we are likely to get this lifetime, it is small, it carries data, there’s one on each side of the laptop so you don’t need to wrap your cable around the device.

So I hear some of you saying, since I prefer USB-C why don’t I use that and you use what you prefer, choice! Right?

Well on the surface this is a good argument, except the I believe the introduction of MagSafe will all but kill USB-C. We all know how other manufacturers like to copy apple, I expect it to be the same for power delivery, each one will invent their own MagSafe and we will end up with many different standards. I guess we will see what happens to MagSafe in the future, but if lightning is any indication apple will milk it until it’s bone dry. Meaning it might be the only charging port next time around.

In the end I’m disappointed, apple drove usb c adoption in a big way and I doubt it has the impetus to continue without apples help. I made a small trip the other weekend with my iPhone, iPad and new MacBook, I had to bring two chargers, who the hell would want to bring three?

I have a 2013 MacBook with a MagSafe charging connection. It was not the first or the last year that this was the power source to recharge a MacBook battery. Despite this, most competitors didn’t hurry up and copy the concept, in fact, very few did.

As a side note, I did have a few times where I had to stretch that MagSafe cable to reach an airport outlet, as there weren’t a lot of outlets or charging stations at every airport, and there were multiple times when the MagSafe prevented damage from people trying to squeeze by and accidentally pulling on the power cord. So no, I don’t think it’s stupid.

Although still functioning I really don’t use that laptop and I should have sold or traded it 4 or 5 years ago. I haven’t updated the OS since 2020.

 

[Bug-Creator]

No one copied the MagSafe except for Microsoft on their surface line of products

Both MS and Apple hold some patents on it making it a legal minefield for anybody else.

I "switched" from a PowerBook (pre MagSafe) to the rMB (MagSafe hiatus) and never tripped over the cable so there is that.


But hey new user making a whiny lengthy post about a minor non issue, who would have though......

 

[cult hero]

I was going to post “because MagSafe is flipping cool. That’s why.” To the OP.

But y’all hit right on what I was thinking: MagSafe is nostalgic and it does seem like a nod towards the people who really miss the crap out of their old MacBooks. Nostalgia is really selling these days. You have a bunch of people in their 30/40’s who grew up WITH the internet and computers in their formative years of teenage/early twenties.

I’d bet that just having the MagSafe and rounded/squared edges alone enticed many to go drop money on a MacBook Pro to help themselves feel better after a rough two years.

Don’t get me wrong, if you’re gonna have a power connector that’s not USB-C, MagSafe is nice. It clips in easier. It can save your laptop. For those who aren’t connecting to a USB/Thunderbolt docking station you don’t have to either have one of those weird “pass through” adapters if you want to use all your USB ports (nice now since Apple torched one in favor of… a TV connector).

I just see the use case for “tripping” to be mostly a non issue with that much battery life. Why plug the thing in on the go ever? Charge it at night, use it all day. Or use it at a desk where the cables are hidden away.

 

[jtopp]

I don't. It's other people.

I'm a fan of MagSafe. Why? My machine has been saved from damage or a fall many, many times. Anybody who needs to plug in on airplanes, in airport boarding lounges during widespread delays, in office reception areas, in crowded conference rooms, at coffee shops and restaurants, and at companies that think beanbags, picnic tables, and staircases are good replacements for desks knows what I'm talking about.

The MagSafe on my 16” is pretty strong, I’m sure if I tripped on it, it would pull the mbp off my desk and not break away like the older models. I was surprised how strong the connection was.

 

[jonblatho]

I made a small trip the other weekend with my iPhone, iPad and new MacBook, I had to bring two chargers

I’m so sorry that this tremendous inconvenience was forced upon you.

who the hell would want to bring three?

I simply shudder to imagine it.

 

[meady100]

My gf tripped over her cable and bent the connector enough to mean pushing it back snapped it off only two days ago. Currently waiting for delivery of a new one.

 

[flapflapflap]

The MagSafe on my 16” is pretty strong, I’m sure if I tripped on it, it would pull the mbp off my desk and not break away like the older models. I was surprised how strong the connection was.

There’s a strong possibility it will pull the 14” off the desk. I’ve tested it and remarked how strong it is which defeats the purpose! If MagSafe was incorporated into the existing Air, for sure it would take that laptop down.

 

[Hankster]

The narrow minded people feeling the world should revovled around their own person needs is astounding these days.

 

[Rafterman]

There’s a strong possibility it will pull the 14” off the desk. I’ve tested it and remarked how strong it is which defeats the purpose! If MagSafe was incorporated into the existing Air, for sure it would take that laptop down.

I seriously doubt it will pull a 14" off it's desk. I had a 14 for a while and while it was a solid connection, it was not THAT strong.

 

[flapflapflap]

I seriously doubt it will pull a 14" off it's desk. I had a 14 for a while and while it was a solid connection, it was not THAT strong.

May also depend on the surface type of your desk or workstation. I purposefully pulled the MagSafe to simulate my kid tripping over the cable and it definitely pulled the 14 a few inches. If it’s close to the edge of a table, it can be fatal for the machine.

 

[BluAffiliate]

Apple introduced MagSafe in 2006, and I have not seen wide adoption by other manufacturers. Why is it all of a sudden a threat? Also, MagSafe is very convenient for people who have children and/or pets.

Pets can be so evil.

 

[3Rock]

The MagSafe on my 16” is pretty strong, I’m sure if I tripped on it, it would pull the mbp off my desk and not break away like the older models. I was surprised how strong the connection was.

If you pull it out from the connector yes it’s a tough pull but when you accidentally hit the cable on an angle it comes out fairly easy

 

[EdT]

The narrow minded people feeling the world should revovled around their own person needs is astounding these days.

Wait…..you mean it…..DOESN’T?

 

[jowaju]

I have a 2013 MacBook with a MagSafe charging connection. It was not the first or the last year that this was the power source to recharge a MacBook battery. Despite this, most competitors didn’t hurry up and copy the concept, in fact, very few did.

As a side note, I did have a few times where I had to stretch that MagSafe cable to reach an airport outlet, as there weren’t a lot of outlets or charging stations at every airport, and there were multiple times when the MagSafe prevented damage from people trying to squeeze by and accidentally pulling on the power cord. So no, I don’t think it’s stupid.

Although still functioning I really don’t use that laptop and I should have sold or traded it 4 or 5 years ago. I haven’t updated the OS since 2020.

Apple never made a 2013 MacBook, so yours has to be a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. If it’s a late 2013 Pro or Mid 2013 Air then Big Sur is fully supported and you can just install the update and keep on using it for several more years to come.

 

[ignatius345]

Apple introduced MagSafe in 2006, and I have not seen wide adoption by other manufacturers. Why is it all of a sudden a threat? Also, MagSafe is very convenient for people who have children and/or pets.

Or who just like quickly plugging in their Mac with one hand, and being able to see charge status at a glance. The "cord trip" scenario is always possible, but it's also just a beautifully designed piece of hardware that's a pleasure to use every day. I used Magsafe for many years on previous Macs and it always felt like a little touch that reminded me why I like to use Macs.

To the guy complaining about it, like everyone has said: just keep charging your Mac the way you are right now. I mean, hell, as nice as I think the Magsafe connector is, I'd probably revert to USB-C charging when travelling just to cut down on cords to pack. But it's amazing how people can have the charging port they like and still somehow find a way to complain about it.

 

[pi=e=3]

Y’all geniuses, how are you gonna pass 140 watt through usb? That standard doesn’t exist yet.




You do know that each manufacturer already has his own power port, right?

Yes it does. The new standard supports 240w. AKA more than all but the most demanding gaming brick requires.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing...for-gaming-laptops-and-other-devices-in-2021/

Dell was already doing 130w over USB-C prior.

 

[jonblatho]

Apple never made a 2013 MacBook, so yours has to be a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. If it’s a late 2013 Pro or Mid 2013 Air then Big Sur is fully supported and you can just install the update and keep on using it for several more years to come.

Reasonably sure they were referring to it generically as a Mac notebook, not an actual “MacBook.”

 

[JM]

Don’t get me wrong, if you’re gonna have a power connector that’s not USB-C, MagSafe is nice. It clips in easier. It can save your laptop. For those who aren’t connecting to a USB/Thunderbolt docking station you don’t have to either have one of those weird “pass through” adapters if you want to use all your USB ports (nice now since Apple torched one in favor of… a TV connector).

I just see the use case for “tripping” to be mostly a non issue with that much battery life. Why plug the thing in on the go ever? Charge it at night, use it all day. Or use it at a desk where the cables are hidden away.

True. With 20 hours of battery life, it’s a rare plugin. And since battery isn’t removable it’s best to keep it charged happily (20-80%) anyways, and remove plug outside that.

 

[Micka88]

MagSafe is total waste of space. A normal USB port would be 1000 times more useful than this.