4 ms·

If you're taking about magsafe, it's patented. Apple reverted to USB-C charging on all current models, which is not as cool as magsafe, but on the bright side,

If you're taking about magsafe, it's patented. Apple reverted to USB-C charging on all current models, which is not as cool as magsafe, but on the bright side, you can now charge on either side and use the port for other things when not charging.

babypuncher 7y ago
I can appreciate the simplicity and utility of having x identical ports on my laptop and they are all capable of doing everything. That is a worthwhile trade-off in my book, even if I personally would still prefer the option to use MagSafe. Other manufacturers have figured out how to replicate the experience without infringing on Apple's patents, their solutions just aren't as commonly used as I wish they were.
- izacus 7y ago
  IMO Razer did it better - on my 13" Stealth, there's one USB-C port on each side and one USB-A as well. Not having to look for the * dongle everytime I need to plug in anything is such a blessing after owning MacBooks - and I can still charge the laptop on both sides, with Apple chargers no less.
PascLeRasc 7y ago
Somehow Microsoft is able to produce magnetic chargers for their Surface devices though. It'd be nice if Apple would allow the patent to be breached now that they're not using it.
- jcrawfordor 7y ago
  Apple holds a patent on magnetic charging, Microsoft holds a patent on magnetic charging + data ports, as well as a patent on magnetic USB-C now. I'm not sure how well these would hold up against Apple's patents in court, but I think the two companies both have so many lawyers and so many patents that there's a bit of a mutually assured destruction situation with either going after the other on charging technology.
OJFord 7y ago
I tripped over my USB-C cord recently - having never done so with 'magsafe' - and you know what? it pulled cleanly out, I didn't fall, neither did the laptop. And it wasn't some perfect angle that enabled that either. In my experience, magsafe just meant that it disconnects on cord tugs so slight that they wouldn't even have moved the laptop if the connection weren't magnetic. Anything with the force to harm you or your laptop disengages connectors other than magsafe too.
- babypuncher 7y ago
  The big issue with barrel connectors is how long they are. When the cord is yanked at a wide angle, the outer edge of the barrel connector acts as a fulcrum, turning the inner barrel into a first class lever. With such long barrels, the transfer of force to the tip on the inside can be enough to rip the connector off its solder joints. USB-C largely mitigates this simply by being a shorter connector than most barrels.
  - cesarb 7y ago
    As a counterpoint, at least on the laptop models I'm most familiar with, the power barrel connector is not on any board (it's connected to the motherboard by a wire), so even if it breaks, it won't damage the board (and it's easy to replace). On the other hand, the USB-C socket is soldered directly to the motherboard (though with an extra mechanical support screwed on top).

babypuncher 7y ago

I can appreciate the simplicity and utility of having x identical ports on my laptop and they are all capable of doing everything. That is a worthwhile trade-off in my book, even if I personally would still prefer the option to use MagSafe. Other manufacturers have figured out how to replicate the experience without infringing on Apple's patents, their solutions just aren't as commonly used as I wish they were.

izacus 7y ago
IMO Razer did it better - on my 13" Stealth, there's one USB-C port on each side and one USB-A as well. Not having to look for the * dongle everytime I need to plug in anything is such a blessing after owning MacBooks - and I can still charge the laptop on both sides, with Apple chargers no less.

PascLeRasc 7y ago

Somehow Microsoft is able to produce magnetic chargers for their Surface devices though. It'd be nice if Apple would allow the patent to be breached now that they're not using it.

jcrawfordor 7y ago
Apple holds a patent on magnetic charging, Microsoft holds a patent on magnetic charging + data ports, as well as a patent on magnetic USB-C now. I'm not sure how well these would hold up against Apple's patents in court, but I think the two companies both have so many lawyers and so many patents that there's a bit of a mutually assured destruction situation with either going after the other on charging technology.

OJFord 7y ago

I tripped over my USB-C cord recently - having never done so with 'magsafe' - and you know what? it pulled cleanly out, I didn't fall, neither did the laptop. And it wasn't some perfect angle that enabled that either. In my experience, magsafe just meant that it disconnects on cord tugs so slight that they wouldn't even have moved the laptop if the connection weren't magnetic. Anything with the force to harm you or your laptop disengages connectors other than magsafe too.

babypuncher 7y ago
The big issue with barrel connectors is how long they are. When the cord is yanked at a wide angle, the outer edge of the barrel connector acts as a fulcrum, turning the inner barrel into a first class lever. With such long barrels, the transfer of force to the tip on the inside can be enough to rip the connector off its solder joints. USB-C largely mitigates this simply by being a shorter connector than most barrels.
- cesarb 7y ago
  As a counterpoint, at least on the laptop models I'm most familiar with, the power barrel connector is not on any board (it's connected to the motherboard by a wire), so even if it breaks, it won't damage the board (and it's easy to replace). On the other hand, the USB-C socket is soldered directly to the motherboard (though with an extra mechanical support screwed on top).