Yes it’s lighter. But I have always preferred the collapsible prong version of their chargers. This is nothing more than a glorified iPhone charger.
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Apple goes cheap on new IPad Pro charger
- Thread starter ReallyBigFeet
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Yes it’s lighter. But I have always preferred the collapsible prong version of their chargers. This is nothing more than a glorified iPhone charger.
It’s an 18 watt charger. The previous one was only 12 watts. That’s a 50% “upgrade” no matter how you look at it.
It's amazing how inelegant the prongs of an old AC cord like that are.
Be glad Apple didn't innovate a new interface, and require you updating wall outlets in your home.
Be glad Apple didn't innovate a new interface, and require you updating wall outlets in your home.
I like the look of the new charger. It’s light and has a nice design.
Think of the children!
Seriously, we’re now complaining about the form of the charger?
They’re all just chargers, nothing more, nothing less.
Seriously, we’re now complaining about the form of the charger?
They’re all just chargers, nothing more, nothing less.
I don't think anyone would complain if iPad chargers always looked like this. But the design of this new charger is a step backward in form AND function...and is clearly cheaper to manufacture. Fixed prongs are not an issue when it is permanently inserted into a wall outlet, but for those of us who travel, we appreciate the prongs folding away.
No one is equating this to putting children in cages... just an observation about an irritating change.
Still don’t agree with the complaint, it’s a very minor change and don’t see the need for irritation. Again, it’s just a charger. As to traveling, ya, do that too, like many others. If those prongs are so big they can’t fit them into their luggage or carry-on, they’re doing it wrong.
Do you have the same irritation about all the phone chargers? I have to travel with at least two charges (folding) and one with fixed prongs, not an inconvenience. Can’t count on hotels having enough/convenient plugs or USB ports.
This is business people ... engineers would love to add every feature under the moon to their products, because it’s a reflection of who they are and what they do. However, as I have learned time and time again, you make compromises because of price and try to shave where you can. Sometimes it is the dumbest thing but every dollar matters. There is a target margin to hit and that margin is pretty firm. Not their goal but the business / Wall Street goal. And yes they are charging more for the new iPad but it’s not the cost of the iPad it’s the cost of the labor, the ancillary services, the manufacturers, prototypes ... you name it ... there is a lot to it. I too would have liked folded in prongs but this was a casualty of war.
Apple's doing alright. Anyway, the folding prong version was already in production and costs should be going down over time.
Here's another truism, squeeze as much profit as you can out of a captive customer base.
If this was a Samsung device, or pretty much any other consumer electronic device out there, where utility and tech features trumped design considerations, I'd not have even mentioned it. I buy Apple partially because I enjoy the design aspects of their products.
So basically those who don't mind this would be fine if Apple just started shipping their product in eco-friendly plain recycled cardboard boxes right? I mean a box is a box after all. No reason to be irritated about a disposable box right?
I'm irritated because they basically have increased the prices of their premium product while simultaneously taking away a nice little Apple exclusive with fold-away plugs. They didn't have to do this because of cost savings. They did it because it's no longer important to them. It's one more step towards commoditization and away from design-first mentality.
So basically those who don't mind this would be fine if Apple just started shipping their product in eco-friendly plain recycled cardboard boxes right? I mean a box is a box after all. No reason to be irritated about a disposable box right?
I'm irritated because they basically have increased the prices of their premium product while simultaneously taking away a nice little Apple exclusive with fold-away plugs. They didn't have to do this because of cost savings. They did it because it's no longer important to them. It's one more step towards commoditization and away from design-first mentality.
Apple is becoming confusing which isn't good for a brand. Less innovation - VR, Apple car?, Apple TV, outdated product designs?. Inconstant attitude, if the prongless adapter was so wonderful before then where is it now? Lack of coordination, prong design not keeping up with the launch of the refreshed Ipad pro. Contradictory, design when it's convenient and cheap otherwise and have the consumer make it up somehow. Frivolous, all these new emojis. Inconsiderate, though this is subjective. Apple can't lead with technology because other than the processors it has no technology. It has to lead with design and consistency of experience and it has other priorities like exploiting every opportunity for profit. Most of all apple has to mean something and it's losing that. Maybe the company has become too big to manage for lesser mortals.
The reason this is a topic is that it's the kind of thing that made Apple the company they are today. For decades when the competition was cutting corners, Apple was paying attention to every detail. Yes, the design of the charging plug matters. The fact that they did it to save a few cents right when they massively increased the price is especially jarring.
Yeah, but if you're traveling, the iPhone prongs also stick out. I would imagine most heavy travelers would buy a multiport charger from a company like Anker so they're not carrying a bunch of chargers around for each device. That's what we do and it's really great for weekend trips. My wife calls it the squid because it has three lightning cables, two Apple Watch cables, and a USB-C cable sticking out of it. Not quite 8 arms but we always make sure we throw the squid in our bag when we travel.
Not everyone who owns an iPad owns an iPhone so I'm not sure what the point is there. And not all travel involves toting a full gear bag.
I get that people are completely "ok" with Apple taking this route with the iPad Pro charger, and probably not much longer before someone posts that this new charger is preferable over the previous design. For the rest of us, it's an annoyance. Not a great annoyance, but noticeable.
For those of you saying "geez, it's just a prong dude", you're not realizing the elements that made Apple, Apple.
https://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/10/24/steve-jobs-obsession-with-the-quality-of-the-things-unseen/
https://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/10/24/steve-jobs-obsession-with-the-quality-of-the-things-unseen/
I don't have the new iPad Pro yet, but from the images of the new 18W charging block I don't like the design at all. Definitely prefer the old design with folding prongs.
Though in fairness, when I travel I usually carry an multi-USB port Anker charger with folding prongs.
Though in fairness, when I travel I usually carry an multi-USB port Anker charger with folding prongs.
OK, change iPhone to any phone, my point still stands. Who travels without a phone in 2018?
Design touches like folding prongs and cable management built into the charger are examples of the details that used to separate Apple from others.
It's disappointing to see them punting on so many of the small things that led to the customer delight that made customers literally excited to pay more money.
If they keep going too far they'll turn into "Dell with a white color scheme and overpriced products"
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Precisely...
If they keep undoing the magic and delight, they're just another tech company at some point.
Sad to see for all the long long LONG time fans.
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LMAO
So so true..
It's galling how some factions on here (and in the Apple podcast world too) seem to be able to defend ANYTHING Apple does and it invariably morphs into "it's actually better now!" (even when it's often clearly not)
That's sort of like "my shirt sucks, but at least I can now get different styles of pants".
You win this thread with that observation. Exactly my point.
I agree with you 100%. It wouldn’t be so bad if they were always like this, but my very old ipad’s charger had the fold in prongs. Now I spend well over $1,000 for the newest Pro and get a more cheaply designed charger. It’s not life-altering, but it IS annoying.
I also agree with your travel argument— it’s easier to pack with the prongs folded in. That’s the first thing I thought of when I saw the charger that came with the Pro.