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> When Apple first launched MagSafe, the company loudly proclaimed they did so because customers kept breaking the connectors that plugged into the laptop. You
by danso 8y ago
> When Apple first launched MagSafe, the company loudly proclaimed they did so because customers kept breaking the connectors that plugged into the laptop. You know, like what’s in the current MacBook.
I have a new MBP and I don't miss the MagSafe, to be honest. Mostly because I have the USB-C power cable connect through a USB-C hub -- what I lose in the usability of MagSafe, is mostly made up in flexibility. And with Apple using the USB-C standard, I can buy any USB-C cable I want, including ones much cheaper and more durable than the Apple-branded cords. I have 3 MagSafe adapters from previous MBPs and they are all worn out at where the wire connects to the adapter block, with no cheap way to replace them.
- java-man 8y agoLet's see how the USB-C female connector fares after the same amount of use. Something tells me it'll be busted long before the cable part wears out. All Apple cables seem to have a weakness where the cable joins to the connector. A short PVC tube is no match for a gradually tapered part found on some Ethernet cables. And the fact that the user usually just yanks the cable instead of pulling on a tiny connector part...
- dsr_ 8y agoThere's an art to designing strain relief. Apple doesn't bother with it. I have a new electric kettle with a plug that incorporates a ring into the strain relief -- your fingers will always grab the ring to pull it out of the outlet, and that's where the cable-to-plug connection is strongest.
- java-man 8y agostrain relief, did not know that term. thank you.
- marsokod 8y agoUSB-C has been designed so that the male part is less resistant than the female part. This way, the connector on the device will see less stress and should last longer. Obviously they won't be last indefinitely, especially for a connector used as much as a power input. And I have no idea if all the connectors follow properly the standard regarding materials. But given the built quality of Apple cables, I doubt we will see the device connector wear before the cable is ripped apart by natural degradation, after 1 or 2 years.
- noncoml 8y agoSame here. Actually I like the fact that I can now plug it in to power from either sides. I do miss the Escape key though..
- jjtheblunt 8y agocontrol [ is the escape character, if useful...I use it in vi that way all the time.
- elcapitan 8y agoOr just map Caps-lock to Esc..
- dxhdr 8y agoOr buy a ThinkPad X1 Extreme, it comes with a functioning keyboard including a dedicated escape key! Upgradeable RAM to 64GB and plenty of ports are a bonus.
- noncoml 8y agoBut the OS? Ubuntu & Elemetary font rendering feel like thorns in my eyes. Windows is OK, but then you have to have a VM for any dev work.
- lostlogin 8y agoThe hatred of strain protectors is the issue here - MagSafe with strain protectors would make me happy. Bare wires, cellotape and dubious safety is what the clean design has actually achieved.
- rcthompson 8y agoI don't see how Magsafe and USB-C are mutually exclusive. Also, if Apple wanted to, they could have given their Magsafe adapters pluggable cords, so you don't have to buy a new adapter when the cord frays.
- TheSpiceIsLife 8y agoThere are USB-C magnetic adapters available. eg. https://www.amazon.com/usb-c-magnetic-adapter/s?page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ausb%20c%20magnetic%20adapter https://www.amazon.com/usb-c-magnetic-adapter/s?page=1&rh=i%... That'll be the way I'm going moving forward. See my other comment about my dislike of MagSafe, especially MageSafe 2 here https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18258495 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18258495