6 ms·

It will probably be physical keys with screens in them. As seen in this patent. https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/29/apple-researching-keyboards-with-displays

by adrr 6y ago

It will probably be physical keys with screens in them. As seen in this patent. https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/29/apple-researching-keyboards-with-displays-on-keys/ https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/29/apple-researching-keybo... Mag safe is going to be on the charging cable and not the computer. Like on old game consoles with wired controllers.

bartvk 6y ago
I have the feeling that it's not going to be on the charging cable. Benson Leung often comments that extensions and modifications to USB-C cables are not compliant with the USB-C standard, which Apple helped write. What I could imagine though, is if the charger itself incorporates MagSafe.
- philjohn 6y ago
  I was under the impression that the "no connectors/extensions" wasn't so much around power delivery, but around the high data rates (40 Gbps) and signal integrity. A charger cable, that only does PD, could have a magnetic break in it without issues.
  - nottorp 6y ago
    I run my usb-c macbook pro with a 3rd party magnetic charge only usb-c cable without issues so yes, it's already been done. However, as opposed to magsafe there's a tiny dongle that stays in the usb-c port. Also, the magnet is weaker than in the old apple magsafes.
    - TheSpiceIsLife 6y ago
      In my opinion, MagSafe 2 set the gold standard in weak magnets.
      - toomanybeersies 6y ago
        In my experience, MagSafe 2 did a fine job at staying attached when pulled directly from the port, and came unstuck easily (as intended by design) when pulled from an angle. I don't remember ever having problems with the charger popping out when it wasn't supposed to. But I also always used it on a desk, rather than sitting it on my lap.
      - nottorp 6y ago
        No no no. I have my old magsafe 2 laptop and my new usb-c laptop with 3rd party magnetic. Trust me, Magsafe 2 is stronger.
- fy20 6y ago
  I use these magnetic USB-C adpaters on my phone, it works fine for charging and data transfer: https://a.aliexpress.com/_BSorDx https://a.aliexpress.com/_BSorDx I haven't tried more extensive tests (e.g. video out) but I don't see any real reason why Apple couldn't make a more official (i.e. USB-C certified) version. As the sister comment says, if it's for power only then it is simpler. I'd imagine rather than adapters like this, you would plug in a cable that has a magnetic joint somewhere near the end that can 'break' if pulled.
skocznymroczny 6y ago
The main issue of this is just like with touchbar and similar solutions - power users don't look at the keyboard, so the usefulness will be minimal.
- nottorp 6y ago
  And power users here doesn't mean only IT people, but anyone who uses some application all the time for some kind of work. Someone processing photos may not be able to touch type but they'll learn the keyboard shortcuts for their stuff in no time.
  - gurkendoktor 6y ago
    Even professionals who don't learn to touch-type should at least use an external screen if they use a computer all day, at which point they'll likely use an external keyboard without a TouchBar again.
- oblio 6y ago
  They would be physical buttons, I don't understand your comment.
  - TheSpiceIsLife 6y ago
    Why bother with screens on the keys if no one (read: power users) don't look at the keyboard Personally I think key with screens on them sounds interesting / novel / fun, at least for a week or two, maybe longer.
    - oblio 6y ago
      A lot of power users look at their keyboards. Touch typists are a very small minority, even among power users. At least pure touch typists (people who only touch type). And these computers are not purely for power users.
      - 6y ago
kalleboo 6y ago
MagSafe on the cable would work poorly because people would leave the laptop end in the port and stick it in their backpack and bump and ruin it. Apple wouldn't go for a design like that (same reason they have the charging port on the bottom of the mouse - people would leave it plugged in all the time and wear out the cable/port)
dplgk 6y ago
I don't recall old consoles having magsafe wires.
- pmx 6y ago
  They weren't magsafe but they had breakaway cables that would disconnect if someone tripped on it.
  - dplgk 6y ago
    I guess "old consoles" to me is SNES, etc
    - lambda_obrien 6y ago
      Yes, try removing coax by tripping over it. You're more likely to remove your foot doing it.
matt-attack 6y ago
It seems clear to me that they're going to incorporate the exact same Mag Safe charger as they did on the iPhone 12. Same magnetic paddle, but it will attach to the lid or the back or something.
- r00fus 6y ago
  Hope it's the bottom. Then you can "dock" your MBP without any latches. Some people might make a desk or tabletop that would allow the On the screen back would look bizarre. Now imagine if MagSafe could also be a data channel...
- totalZero 6y ago
  The only problem I see with your concept: A single iPhone MagSafe charger pushes 15w on a great day. A MBP is going to draw about four times that.
  - dont__panic 6y ago
    In the case of the 16", which draws 96W at full bore these days, more than six times that. I've heard speculation that the new MBPs might not wirelessly charge themselves... but could have an integrated wireless charger in the palmrests for iphones/etc.

by adrr 6y ago

bartvk 6y ago

I have the feeling that it's not going to be on the charging cable. Benson Leung often comments that extensions and modifications to USB-C cables are not compliant with the USB-C standard, which Apple helped write. What I could imagine though, is if the charger itself incorporates MagSafe.

philjohn 6y ago
I was under the impression that the "no connectors/extensions" wasn't so much around power delivery, but around the high data rates (40 Gbps) and signal integrity. A charger cable, that only does PD, could have a magnetic break in it without issues.
- nottorp 6y ago
  I run my usb-c macbook pro with a 3rd party magnetic charge only usb-c cable without issues so yes, it's already been done. However, as opposed to magsafe there's a tiny dongle that stays in the usb-c port. Also, the magnet is weaker than in the old apple magsafes.
  - TheSpiceIsLife 6y ago
    In my opinion, MagSafe 2 set the gold standard in weak magnets.
    - toomanybeersies 6y ago
      In my experience, MagSafe 2 did a fine job at staying attached when pulled directly from the port, and came unstuck easily (as intended by design) when pulled from an angle. I don't remember ever having problems with the charger popping out when it wasn't supposed to. But I also always used it on a desk, rather than sitting it on my lap.
    - nottorp 6y ago
      No no no. I have my old magsafe 2 laptop and my new usb-c laptop with 3rd party magnetic. Trust me, Magsafe 2 is stronger.
fy20 6y ago
I use these magnetic USB-C adpaters on my phone, it works fine for charging and data transfer: https://a.aliexpress.com/_BSorDx https://a.aliexpress.com/_BSorDx I haven't tried more extensive tests (e.g. video out) but I don't see any real reason why Apple couldn't make a more official (i.e. USB-C certified) version. As the sister comment says, if it's for power only then it is simpler. I'd imagine rather than adapters like this, you would plug in a cable that has a magnetic joint somewhere near the end that can 'break' if pulled.

skocznymroczny 6y ago

The main issue of this is just like with touchbar and similar solutions - power users don't look at the keyboard, so the usefulness will be minimal.

nottorp 6y ago
And power users here doesn't mean only IT people, but anyone who uses some application all the time for some kind of work. Someone processing photos may not be able to touch type but they'll learn the keyboard shortcuts for their stuff in no time.
- gurkendoktor 6y ago
  Even professionals who don't learn to touch-type should at least use an external screen if they use a computer all day, at which point they'll likely use an external keyboard without a TouchBar again.
oblio 6y ago
They would be physical buttons, I don't understand your comment.
- TheSpiceIsLife 6y ago
  Why bother with screens on the keys if no one (read: power users) don't look at the keyboard Personally I think key with screens on them sounds interesting / novel / fun, at least for a week or two, maybe longer.
  - oblio 6y ago
    A lot of power users look at their keyboards. Touch typists are a very small minority, even among power users. At least pure touch typists (people who only touch type). And these computers are not purely for power users.
    - 6y ago

kalleboo 6y ago

MagSafe on the cable would work poorly because people would leave the laptop end in the port and stick it in their backpack and bump and ruin it. Apple wouldn't go for a design like that (same reason they have the charging port on the bottom of the mouse - people would leave it plugged in all the time and wear out the cable/port)

dplgk 6y ago

I don't recall old consoles having magsafe wires.

pmx 6y ago
They weren't magsafe but they had breakaway cables that would disconnect if someone tripped on it.
- dplgk 6y ago
  I guess "old consoles" to me is SNES, etc
  - lambda_obrien 6y ago
    Yes, try removing coax by tripping over it. You're more likely to remove your foot doing it.

matt-attack 6y ago

It seems clear to me that they're going to incorporate the exact same Mag Safe charger as they did on the iPhone 12. Same magnetic paddle, but it will attach to the lid or the back or something.

r00fus 6y ago
Hope it's the bottom. Then you can "dock" your MBP without any latches. Some people might make a desk or tabletop that would allow the On the screen back would look bizarre. Now imagine if MagSafe could also be a data channel...
totalZero 6y ago
The only problem I see with your concept: A single iPhone MagSafe charger pushes 15w on a great day. A MBP is going to draw about four times that.
- dont__panic 6y ago
  In the case of the 16", which draws 96W at full bore these days, more than six times that. I've heard speculation that the new MBPs might not wirelessly charge themselves... but could have an integrated wireless charger in the palmrests for iphones/etc.