Anyone else dislikes Magsafe for charging?

[CalMin]

I generally prefer USB-C. It's universal and I had several chargers around the house that I can use with it.

My current situation is that I use MagSafe as my travel charger. The rest of the time the laptop charges via the Caldigit dock (thunderbolt/USB-C)

Battery life on the 14" is so good that I just don't need to charge it when I move around the house from time to time. Caveat - I do mostly MS Office productivity type stuff with my laptop.

 

[karen999]

Prefer having all four USB-C. Don't even need to look at the ports when charging since they are symmetric. Now you just can't blindly plug in the ports. Although I know for folks who uses HDMI/SD constantly, it's an improvement.

 

[SpotOnT]

Love Magsafe. Not because I have ever tripped over my power-cord, but because I have twisted it around quite a bit with the laptop in bed/sofa etc. and it can get tangled up in sheets, pillows etc. I would rather the thing pop off than damage the charging port over time. usb-c charging is still there as well, for when I plug into a monitor.

Feel like having both is nothing but a win win win. More options is always better.

 

[ProcessorSolderedToMB]

I hate MagSafe due to watching probably a half dozen of them melt in real-time and then being forced to give Apple another $100 or whatever. It kept me limited to having one charger at a time.

Now I have two USB-C chargers and am soon picking up a third, all for less than one MagSafe charger, and I've not had a single one melt or a cable problem even after years of intense use.

YMMV like with everything, but USB-C > MagSafe in my world

 

[fb3993]

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.

Yes, but you limit yourself to 2 usb-c ports for other things instead of 3.

 

[leman]

I've head my M1 Max since autumn and I don't think I've ever used Magsafe. Bringing it back was just fan service and doesn't add any useful utility (quite on contrary, actually). But from the business side of things, great move from Apple — creates an illusion of "more connectivity', appealers to the die hard fan base and allows them to save on the expensive IO and controllers while charging the same price.

 

[SpotOnT]

Yes, but you limit yourself to 2 usb-c ports for other things instead of 3.

If you need the third port, than plug it into MagSafe. If you actually need the usb-c for power (you are getting power from the monitor or something), than whatever device you are plugged into surely has extra ports as well.

Seems like Magsafe works well for traveling and usb-c works well for desk work.

 

[rub3n]

Absolutely love magsafe. One of the reasons I waited upgrading my 2015 MacBook Pro until it came back

 

[eddie_ducking]

I also was gutted when they removed it from MacBooks ... so much so, have been using these for years with Intel & M1 MacBook Airs and 12.9" iPad Pro (plugged into the Magic Keyboard port) ... they've saved all devices numerous times from being dragged off the coffee tables.

CONMDEX Type C Magnetic Converter USB C to Magnetic USB C Adapter L-tip 4.3A Fast Charging Compatible Macbook Pro 2017/2016, ChromeBook, Galaxy S8, Moto Z, Other Type C Device (Black)

CONMDEX Type C Magnetic Converter USB C to Magnetic USB C Adapter L-tip 4.3A Fast Charging Compatible Macbook Pro 2017/2016, ChromeBook, Galaxy S8, Moto Z, Other Type C Device (Black)

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[TechRunner]

I appreciated it when I had it on my 2015 MBA, but now that I don't, I don't notice its absence. But I don't have small children, animals or a crazy busy work environment to deal with. If I did, I'd appreciate the peace of mind just like I used to.

 

[mectojic]

Magsafe was an improvement over what preceded it in 2006. The PowerBook G4 chargers, if ripped out or tripped on, usually got jammed in the port, requiring a major repair.

I struggle to believe that anyone gets the USB-C port jammed or snapped from an accident- that's why I don't care about magsafe anymore.

 

[leman]

Seems like Magsafe works well for traveling and usb-c works well for desk work.

Which requires you to bring a bunch of cables along. When traveling, I just have one USB-C charger (usually the iPad one) with a single cable. Charges the MBP, the iPad and the Switch. Magsafe doesn't make it more convenient, quite the opposite.

 

[astorre]

Which requires you to bring a bunch of cables along. When traveling, I just have one USB-C charger (usually the iPad one) with a single cable. Charges the MBP, the iPad and the Switch. Magsafe doesn't make it more convenient, quite the opposite.

right? my magsafe stays on main desk all the time, anywhere else I just use USB-C if needed

 

[MisterSavage]

If you need the third port, than plug it into MagSafe. If you actually need the usb-c for power (you are getting power from the monitor or something), than whatever device you are plugged into surely has extra ports as well.

Seems like Magsafe works well for traveling and usb-c works well for desk work.

This. Really not seeing the issue here.

 

[leman]

This. Really not seeing the issue here.

It’s because you folks seem to judge the needs of others by your own needs. MagSafe is not a fast speed data connector. And it’s only feature - “safe charging” - is anecdotal and circumstantial at best. MagSafe doesn’t have the same utility as a USB4 port, plain and simple.

It doesnt really matter in the long run and the limitations are easily overcome by purchasing a Thunderbolt dock, but that’s not a reason to call black white.

 

[spiderman0616]

As others have mentioned, the way my desk is set up requires me to have my MacBooks in a position where the MagSafe port is on the opposite side of where I need it to be. I haven't even used MagSafe on either of them yet, but that's because I haven't travelled with one yet. That's going to change next week, so the MagSafe cable will be in my bag.

My main issue though is that Thunderbolt is a far better port than MagSafe functionality wise. I get charging, audio, and video all through that one cable. Yes, MagSafe frees up a USB-C port, but I usually only need one at a time.

 

[MisterSavage]

And it’s only feature - “safe charging” - is anecdotal and circumstantial at best.

There's already been multiple posts by people saying it was useful in a bad situation!

 

[leman]

There's already been multiple posts by people saying it was useful in a bad situation!

Which does not mean a USBxC connector would do a similar job. I’ve had an MagSafe equipped MacBook land on the floor (luckily carpenter) while USB-C ones disconnecting safely under similar circumstances as well. Anecdotal evidence is anecdotal, hence the name.

And even if MagSafe does disconnect more reliably - why wouldn’t it, that’s what it’s designed for after all - does this added safety balance out the need for another proprietary cable and a loss of a universal IO port? From me at least, it’s a firm no.

 

[Media Pimp]

Can someone help me understand how any ports are lost due to MagSafe? Do we not have two USB-C ports on the same side as the MagSafe connector? Maybe the gripe should be pointed at the SD card slot and/or HDMI port??

If you don't like MagSafe cool, don't use it. But I don't believe that MagSafe is the problem here, unless I'm missing something, which clearly I must be.

 

[MisterSavage]

If you don't like MagSafe cool, don't use it. But I don't believe that MagSafe is the problem here, unless I'm missing something, which clearly I must be.

Yep. I like MagSafe and I'm glad I have it again. I also have 3 USB-C ports. I'm happy with a great setup.

 

[spiderman0616]

There's already been multiple posts by people saying it was useful in a bad situation!

It is no doubt a well loved and appreciated feature. Now that I have it again, I'm glad it's there. When the day comes that I need to charge my MacBook Pro anywhere near where my teenagers are going to be walking around, that is absolutely how I'll charge it. I do appreciate its simplicity as well, as USB-C ports are small and hard to line up with the cable in dimly lit rooms.

 

[calliex]

I hate MagSafe due to watching probably a half dozen of them melt in real-time and then being forced to give Apple another $100 or whatever. It kept me limited to having one charger at a time.

Now I have two USB-C chargers and am soon picking up a third, all for less than one MagSafe charger, and I've not had a single one melt or a cable problem even after years of intense use.

YMMV like with everything, but USB-C > MagSafe in my world

I am still using the orig magsafe on my 2012 MBP. It has changed color but still works fine

 

[MK500]

I have USB-C connected to existing chargers where I commonly use my 14” Max and prefer just using that. It’s simple and can connect on either side. I didn’t even unpack the MagSafe and Apple charger for the first couple months of ownership and considered selling them. Eventually there was a day when I needed to charge it as quickly as possible so I used the MagSafe and Apple charger. It worked great (super fast charging!), but then I packed it away and didn’t use if for a while.

Another day I was set up in a location where there was increased trip risk; so I again used the MagSafe.

I think it’s GREAT to have the option of using MagSafe, and don’t believe it adds a lot to the manufacturing cost of the machine. I do almost wonder if it might make more sense to have the charger/cable be optional accessories though; as some people might prefer to save the cost and/or choose a third party option.

I’m a bit more ambivalent about losing a 4th USB-C port for the HDMI and SD card ports. If the HDMI had been a full 2.1 port it would be great; but in its current state a dongle is probably fine. And my camera uses CF so the SD card isn’t that useful for me. I’d love these ports if they didn’t cost me a 4th TB/USB-C port; but as it is I kind of wish I had the 4th port.

I have owned many Macs with MagSafe in the past and do think it is a worthwhile technology for charging speed and trip safety. It has saved me a damaged Mac several times over the years.

 

[CalMin]

I do almost wonder if it might make more sense to have the charger/cable be optional accessories though; as some people might prefer to save the cost and/or choose a third party option.

Don't give Apple any ideas... They will take the charger out without reducing the price and then tell us it's good for environment. ?

 

[leman]

Can someone help me understand how any ports are lost due to MagSafe? Do we not have two USB-C ports on the same side as the MagSafe connector? Maybe the gripe should be pointed at the SD card slot and/or HDMI port??

If you don't like MagSafe cool, don't use it. But I don't believe that MagSafe is the problem here, unless I'm missing something, which clearly I must be.

Previous models featured four ports, the current one features three. Thats one port less, essentially replaced by a built-in basic HDMI+card reader+charging hub. MagSafe is not a problem per se, but removal of a port kind of is. I might not see any utility in MagSafe but I would be much less critical if no ports were removed.