4 ms·

Accidentally clipping the power cable is something I definitely got used to not worrying about anymore. I'm loving the single mother-of-all ports USB-C will pro

Accidentally clipping the power cable is something I definitely got used to not worrying about anymore. I'm loving the single mother-of-all ports USB-C will provide but I highly appreciated the magnet component of MagSafe..

stcredzero 12y ago
I wonder if someone can come up with a "mag-breakaway" adaptor for USB-C? It's a "null" adaptor -- it has USB-C female and USB-C male -- but it splits down the center and is held together by magnets. You can just put one on the end of your USB power adaptor. There you go: you have your Magsafe back again.
- Someone1234 12y ago
  That sounds really cool. I'd buy that. Off the top of my head the only concern is: How do you turn on/off the flow as the magnets lose contact? Last thing you want is arching as it comes apart.
  - danpat 12y ago
    All connections arc as they come apart, it's just that the arc size is a function of the dielectric medium (air?), potential difference (voltage) and current. You design for "number of disconnects" and choose materials and power design so that the connector will survive as long as specified. Apple MagSafe connectors are on the same voltage (20V) as these new Type C connectors, although Type C seems rated for a higher current (5A). Looking at the pinout, the GND and VBUS are a bit longer, so will disconnect last upon removal. This may be to allow for the voltage to be dropped in anticipation of a disconnect, but you'd need enough intelligence at the power supply end to notice that. Lowering the voltage prior to disconnect would reduce the arc size.
sterlingross 12y ago
No only that, but clipping power is much safer than a data stream in mid transfer.
oinksoft 12y ago
Was clipping the power cable a big problem? I've never done that with a laptop, but have found the brittle MagSafe connection to be an almost daily annoyance since it was introduced.
- jfernandez 12y ago
  I think it probably speaks to how 'mobile' you are with your laptop, either walking around in an office or even just actual traveling etc. I liked that it was easily detachable without any thought. Now I'll have to worry about whether or not the port will get loose over time if I aggressively pull it out at angle, etc.

stcredzero 12y ago

I wonder if someone can come up with a "mag-breakaway" adaptor for USB-C? It's a "null" adaptor -- it has USB-C female and USB-C male -- but it splits down the center and is held together by magnets. You can just put one on the end of your USB power adaptor. There you go: you have your Magsafe back again.

Someone1234 12y ago
That sounds really cool. I'd buy that. Off the top of my head the only concern is: How do you turn on/off the flow as the magnets lose contact? Last thing you want is arching as it comes apart.
- danpat 12y ago
  All connections arc as they come apart, it's just that the arc size is a function of the dielectric medium (air?), potential difference (voltage) and current. You design for "number of disconnects" and choose materials and power design so that the connector will survive as long as specified. Apple MagSafe connectors are on the same voltage (20V) as these new Type C connectors, although Type C seems rated for a higher current (5A). Looking at the pinout, the GND and VBUS are a bit longer, so will disconnect last upon removal. This may be to allow for the voltage to be dropped in anticipation of a disconnect, but you'd need enough intelligence at the power supply end to notice that. Lowering the voltage prior to disconnect would reduce the arc size.

sterlingross 12y ago

No only that, but clipping power is much safer than a data stream in mid transfer.

oinksoft 12y ago

Was clipping the power cable a big problem? I've never done that with a laptop, but have found the brittle MagSafe connection to be an almost daily annoyance since it was introduced.

jfernandez 12y ago
I think it probably speaks to how 'mobile' you are with your laptop, either walking around in an office or even just actual traveling etc. I liked that it was easily detachable without any thought. Now I'll have to worry about whether or not the port will get loose over time if I aggressively pull it out at angle, etc.