Anyone else dislikes Magsafe for charging?

[fb3993]

Anyone else doesn't like that they switched back to Magsafe for the new Macbook Pros?
I preferred usb-c because of 3 reasons:
1) I could charge on both sides of the laptop, depending on the most convenient
2) I could use standard cables to share with other devices
3) Before I had 4 usb-c ports, when not charging, now I only have 3
You can still charge with usb-c and solve 1) and 2), but you lose 1 additional port and go down to 2 available.

What I don't understand the most is the big outcry a few years back when it was removed. I have been using laptops for 20+ years and not once did I trip on the cable, nor do I know of anyone that did it. Does it happen so often?

 

[Raebo]

I wish the Mac safe charger was on the other side.
I have not tripped on the chord but I hade a dog Tripp on it once and a child pull on the chord another time. It also gives me a sense of security when I use move it and use it temporarily at a different location. When I use it just at my office, I usually use the usb-c.
How often have I needed more than the other 3 available usb-c slots in over 20 years? Never.

 

[MisterSavage]

But don't the new laptops have the best of both worlds? You get to still change with USB-C and people that like Magsafe have it again.

What I don't understand the most is the big outcry a few years back when it was removed. I have been using laptops for 20+ years and not once did I trip on the cable, nor do I know of anyone that did it. Does it happen so often?

Something that is catastrophic and rare is something that I would still like to try and avoid.

 

[EnigmaticZee]

When they removed it, I wanted it badly but now I am used to the convenience of charging from any USB C port so I still charge using USB C and Magsafe cable is kept packed as they arrived

 

[QuietOC]

I think I've used the Magsafe charger about 4 times. My Macbook generally is powered by my Lenovo display.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

I've had my MacBook Pro for a couple months now and have yet to use the MagSafe charger. It is my dedicated in-bag charger. The MBP is either being charged by the dock/monitor, or using one of the few USB-C cables we already have around the house for other devices.

 

[Jim Lahey]

As far as I know USB-C PD isn’t capable of providing the maximum power draw of the new laptops. If this is true then users who were totally abusing their MacBook Pro with, say, several hours of video encoding, would eventually drain the battery even when plugged in, meaning it would have to shutdown. Obviously not acceptable. But otherwise I agree and think MagSafe is overrated. Especially in engineering environments where the socket attracts ferrous dust like flies to a piece of ****.

 

[calliex]

I use the magsafe all the time. Had it on my 2012 MBP and it saved it from flying from cord pull many times.

 

[Fishrrman]

On my new 2021 MBP 14", MagSafe is the only charging I use.
Works great ... like MagSafe always has...

 

[1800AirTAG]

I personally missed magsafe, it is the primary way I charge both the laptop and the iPhone. I mean in the end to each their own of course, but even with my setup, my work desk is in a very tight space so I have the magsafe cable mounted just right so when I put the laptop on the stand it "just catches" (or close enough), with the USB-C it used to be a pain to pull the cable, connect it, put the laptop in place, etc.

 

[ilikewhey]

Anyone else doesn't like that they switched back to Magsafe for the new Macbook Pros?
I preferred usb-c because of 3 reasons:
1) I could charge on both sides of the laptop, depending on the most convenient
2) I could use standard cables to share with other devices
3) Before I had 4 usb-c ports, when not charging, now I only have 3
You can still charge with usb-c and solve 1) and 2), but you lose 1 additional port and go down to 2 available.

What I don't understand the most is the big outcry a few years back when it was removed. I have been using laptops for 20+ years and not once did I trip on the cable, nor do I know of anyone that did it. Does it happen so often?

it happens quite often, magsafe saved my laptop from falling the the ground multiple times, not by my own demise, but by surrounding that are sometimes out of my control.

 

[Media Pimp]

Kids and/or giant, oblivious dogs. My kids are all grown now, but my dogs are still giants... and oblivious. MagSafe saved me when it was first introduced and the kids were still young and clumsy/curious/evil, and saved me just yesterday when my overly excited for no apparent reason mastiff came prancing happily at me, while completely ignoring the laptop cable (unsuccessfully) blocking his path.

I'm happy to have MagSafe back.

 

[nathan_reilly]

My only issue is the ferrous dust I get in my MagSafe port. My laptop is often near milling/grinding operations in machine shops. Magsafe has saved my bacon many times.

 

[mihirdelirious]

We did lose 1 USB-C/TB port and got Magsafe, HDMI & SD card slot. I'd have loved to have 4 USB-C + Magsafe + HDMI and SD card slot. I guess there were bandwidth limitations on the SOC. Nevertheless, Magsafe has saved me countless times.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

My personal MacBook Pro has Magsafe, and it has saved my butt on a couple occasions when I worked in a crowded environment with lots of people running around carrying gear, like a football stadium media room.

My (newer) work MacBook Pro tends to stay on a desk in a small riser, next to a monitor that's powering it via USB-C.

I'm glad we have Magsafe back, it gives us options & safety.

 

[jav6454]

I used to say I wished MagSafe was available on Macs, because I used to be quite mobile. Now, the battery life is so extended that I can charge it in my desk without the risk of tripping over the power cord.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Sometimes I wish, the MagSafe magnet that gets attached to the MacBook Pro was stronger. I feel like it's not strong enough.

 

[planteater]

Choices are great. I choose to use Magsafe, OP doesn’t.

On my IPhone I don’t use it, others do.

Why is a thread speaking against it necessary?

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

Sometimes I wish, the MagSafe magnet that gets attached to the MacBook Pro was stronger. I feel like it's not strong enough.

Interesting, I’ve heard (and seen on YouTube) people complaining that it’s too strong.

Unless the new MBA comes with the same charger, I’ll probably not experience it myself, though. I really liked it on older MacBooks…

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Interesting, I’ve heard (and seen on YouTube) people complaining that it’s too strong.

Unless the new MBA comes with the same charger, I’ll probably not experience it myself, though. I really liked it on older MacBooks…

The MagSafe charger becomes loose when you are laying down and you have your Macbook Pro on your lap. It's becomes very easy to de-attached it with just by moving your arms or legs. I still prefer the one in the middle one. One of the best designs ever, imo.

 

[Analog Kid]

Anyone else doesn't like that they switched back to Magsafe for the new Macbook Pros?
I preferred usb-c because of 3 reasons:
1) I could charge on both sides of the laptop, depending on the most convenient
2) I could use standard cables to share with other devices
3) Before I had 4 usb-c ports, when not charging, now I only have 3
You can still charge with usb-c and solve 1) and 2), but you lose 1 additional port and go down to 2 available.

What I don't understand the most is the big outcry a few years back when it was removed. I have been using laptops for 20+ years and not once did I trip on the cable, nor do I know of anyone that did it. Does it happen so often?

I think you're push polling on this one... As you yourself point out, bullets 1 and 2 aren't real issues because you can still charge on both side with standard cables. You should just remove those from the discussion.

I also wish we had 4 USB-C ports, but note that the missing port is on the side without MagSafe. In fact, I'd be better served by 3 ports if there was 1 port on the MagSafe side and 2 on the other but that's probably more about my desk than the port arrangement. 4 ports would solve that problem more generally, even if every port didn't have its own bus (Everytime I mention the lost USB port, someone talks about how many busses there are. It's not bandwidth I'm starved for, it's connection points).

I like the Magsafe cable. I'd like Apple to keep it. If they get rid of anything, they can get rid of that silly SD card slot. That's what's stealing a USB port, and it's also making it impossible to insert the USB-C cable without looking at the side of the machine because it's the same width as the USB-C port. I don't shoot SD in my cameras, so that slot just steals a port I could be putting a XQD/CFExpress reader into.

 

[Analog Kid]

Interesting, I’ve heard (and seen on YouTube) people complaining that it’s too strong.

Unless the new MBA comes with the same charger, I’ll probably not experience it myself, though. I really liked it on older MacBooks…

The MagSafe charger becomes loose when you are laying down and you have your Macbook Pro on your lap. It's becomes very easy to de-attached it with just by moving your arms or legs. I still prefer the one in the middle one. One of the best designs ever, imo.

I think the reason for the disagreement is the direction you're pulling the cord. It's strong enough if you pull it straight away from the machine, but disconnects more easily if you push up on cable.

I'd argue that if it's disconnecting on your lap or whatever surface you're resting it on, then the MagSafe is probably performing a service-- if it were a USB-C cable, it wouldn't unplug but that stress on the cable and connectors would start to weaken and damage them with time. Nothing should be pushing the cable up or down.

 

[Danfango]

Magsafe is great. Some points to note from experience:

1. USB-C ports and cables are really easy to break. It scares me. Mostly because I had to rework a Thinkpad board which had the USB-C port torn off it. It took the traces off the board as well. This is less of an issue with the macs due to how they are constructed but you are likely to damage the port daughterboard and/or the chassis.

2. When I plug the magsafe in I know it's going to charge. The USB-C depends on a combination of which cable and which charger I am currently crossing fingers will work.

3. My place is really tiny so I fall over the charger once a month at least. If I had to pay for a new screen once a month I'd probably have to live in the woods in a tent.

If I'm at the desk I will charge the mac off the studio display using USB-C as it's on the desk safely but if I'm not I'll use the magsafe. That is probably the best compromise.

 

[mkelly]

What I don't understand the most is the big outcry a few years back when it was removed. I have been using laptops for 20+ years and not once did I trip on the cable, nor do I know of anyone that did it. Does it happen so often?

Former Apple repair tech here.

Yes, yes it does. More so when laptops batteries were good for 2-3 hours instead of the insane battery life we're lucky to have today. But it happened enough that it kept me pretty busy some weeks.

 

[nastysailboat]

Anyone else doesn't like that they switched back to Magsafe for the new Macbook Pros?
I preferred usb-c because of 3 reasons:
1) I could charge on both sides of the laptop, depending on the most convenient
2) I could use standard cables to share with other devices
3) Before I had 4 usb-c ports, when not charging, now I only have 3
You can still charge with usb-c and solve 1) and 2), but you lose 1 additional port and go down to 2 available.

What I don't understand the most is the big outcry a few years back when it was removed. I have been using laptops for 20+ years and not once did I trip on the cable, nor do I know of anyone that did it. Does it happen so often?

1 you can still do.
2 not sure what you’re talking about with this one but most hubs offer device charging.
3 you had 4 before but none of the other ports.

I’m glad MagSafe is here. Hope it stays