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I understand the æsthetic decision, but there is no reason why Apple couldn't have made the wire that runs from the brick to your laptop detachable. That way I
by Aloisius 15y ago
I understand the æsthetic decision, but there is no reason why Apple couldn't have made the wire that runs from the brick to your laptop detachable. That way I could actually replace it for a reasonable amount.
- owenmarshall 15y ago>I understand the aesthetic decision, but there is no reason why Apple couldn't have made the wire that runs from the brick to your laptop detachable. A detachable wire would violate Apple's aesthetic; thus, you can't detach it. You answer your own question. Does Apple not replace that for free like they do the iPhone/iPod chargers?
- andrewpi 15y agoI've had mine replaced for free, but only after being accused by the 'Genius' of 'doing it wrong' by wrapping my cable around the provided tabs.
- lurker19 15y agoThe proper technique is ridiculously subtle. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1630 http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1630 That support article is a spiritual ancestor of the Antennagate defense press event.
- jonhendry 15y agoIt's not that subtle. Just don't try to wrap it really tight, which would put a constant strain on the wire where it enters the brick that would last until you completely unwind the cord again. Frankly, everything in that document just looks like common sense.
- runaway 15y agoThe part that goes to the wall is detachable. What about making the other side detachable violates the aesthetic? Or am I thinking of something else?
- jeremymims 15y agoThis. Over the past five years I have had to replace four Apple power adapters. Two caught on fire, one just stopped working, and one only worked when I duct taped it to death. They replaced all but one under warranty. But when I asked the Apple Genius in SoHo if this "whole catching on fire thing" happened often, he didn't say no. He just told me he wasn't allowed to answer that.
- sanswork 15y agoI've replaced 3 in the past 2 years. All have melted right around the part that goes into the laptop. It has gotten to the point where I won't even leave it plugged in unless I am in the room.
- jeremymims 15y agoYep. You're describing pretty much what happened. It's always a nice when you get sparks and smoke though. :-)
- SkyFoxMedia 15y agoI've had one catch on fire on my couch, and another melt at the mag-connection (whatever it's called). Cannot be a fluke.
- jbk 15y agoUnfortunately, I am compelled to share the same experience here. And being the "computer guy" for friends and family, I have seen the same kind of bad power adapters over and over. I thought that I was crazy or very unlucky because everyone tells me how great Apple products are. And the replacements are quite expensive compared to the competition (I see mostly Dell and Lenovo, to be honest, no idea for the other ones).
- chopsueyar 15y agoConfirmed. Two fires here, also. One with the RCA/headphone power and one with the magnetic connector.
- aeontech 15y ago
- e-dard 15y agoSurely the mag-safe cables shouldn't get so damaged, because the cable detaches from the laptop under significant strain? In terms of mag-safe on iOS devices, I guess it's not feasible due to it transmitting data.
- bxr 15y agoThe strain to break the bond of the magnet is much more than the strain needed to bend the cable to an angle that will (over time) damage the wire. Ios transfers should prepared for a disconnection anyway, it is usb, plus power failures could take the host offline.
- radicaldreamer 15y agoIt's the plastic surrounding the cable as it connects to the magsafe magnetic connector that causes the problem.
- r00fus 15y agoThey've changed the design from a plug that attaches perpendicularly into the laptop (and has a serious strain point that is not adequately engineered around) to one that plugs in "parallel". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MagSafe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MagSafe This likely prevents strain by removing the probability that the cable is pulled at the strain point. It also looks cooler. Only downside is that it doesn't untether easily; it's that the selling point of MagSafe?
- BlueZeniX 15y agoI got my macbook pro last november with the new connector. The MagSafe connector is already broken. I attach/detach it maybe 3 times a day. Seeing everyone I know that has a macbook have his/her adapter fail, not getting a replacement and then having to buy a new one for 80 EUR I took extra care. Still the cable broke inside the connector! I've never had this problem with any other device or notebook. Seriously, power adapters should be simple and just work - except they don't for macbooks.
- deleted 15y ago[deleted]
- jbellis 15y agoDetachable magsafe cables would also make it easier for third parties to sell power adapters, which is almost certainly why Apple power bricks are alone among major manufacturers in not splitting things this way.
- Aloisius 15y agoJust put the same kind of DRM they put in the cable on the other side to auth with the brick.
- X-Istence 15y agoVerifying that something on the other end is an authorised part is not digital rights management and has nothing to do with it. It is simply lock-in.
- mahyarm 15y agoThey already have that. It can cause problems when the DRM circuitry screws up inside the laptop and causes the brick or the laptop to refuse to charge. It just makes things more unreliable.
- asadotzler 15y agoApple hasn't charged me for either of the replacements I've gotten. If they're willing to absorb that cost, who am I to complain about how high the cost is?