Apple killed its awesome MagSafe power connection feature on the new MacBook Pro, but based on a new patent filing, the beloved port could be ready to make a comeback.
USB-C replaced MagSafe on the MacBook Pro because it can handle both power and data on a single port. It lacks the brilliant safety features of MagSafe. Hwever, it looks like Apple found a workaround similar to Griffin’s magnetic BreakSafe cables.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office received a patent filing from Apple in January 2016 that described a “Magnetic Adapter” for USB-C. Apple was granted the patent at the end of March 2017.
In the description, Apple’s engineers say it would enable “MagSafe chargers to be used to charge devices having Universal Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacles. This also may provide the breakaway characteristic of a MagSafe connector system for a device that does not include a MagSafe connector receptacle.”
Here’s what it might look like based on patent drawings:
Image: Apple
Of course, just because Apple filed a patent for this magnetic adapter doesn’t mean the company will release it as a product. Unfortunately, if it ever does come out, you’ll need to buy yet another USB-C dongle.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
6 responses to “Here’s how Apple could bring MagSafe to USB-C”
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I’m no engineer or technician so I’m not speaking from any position of authority whatsoever. But please bear with me.
Through years of ownership of at least 5 magsafe MacBooks, my family has had one consistent experience with magsafe chargers: They aren’t very durable. I’m not talking about the cables that disintegrate, although that is a problem too, but magsafe connections to the laptop become unreliable as they age and eventually the charger needs to be replaced. By unreliable, I mean it gets harder and harder to get the green or orange indicator lights to turn on when you attach the charging lead to the computer. At first, cleaning the conducting pins would help, but eventually nothing works.
I don’t know if the problem is mechanical or electronic or both but I’ve formed the following hypothesis:
The mechanicals of the magsafe connection, especially those spring-loaded conducting pins, wear out, leading to an unreliable, intermittent electrical connection. Now the fluctuating voltage and/or current resulting from this constant connecting and reconnecting (which we don’t notice because when you look at it, the magsafe connector remains physically attached to the laptop) stresses the charger’s circuitry and eventually fries it. I’ve never experienced any other electronic charger that breaks down as early and as often as Apple’s magsafe chargers. By contrast, I haven’t had to replace any iPhone chargers at all. Maybe this is why Apple retired magsafe. And if it is, I’d gladly live without magsafe.
To any engineers or technicians out there, does my conjecture make any sense?
True the cables do break down. It makes no difference who’s you use the MagSafe or USB-C they all fail over time.
The real point here is the power brick needs its own connector so you can replace the cable when it worn out. Which Apple did create with the new USB-C power bricks! Fixed one problem created a new one on the more expensive side your computer!
Oh dear. What another piss poor “article”. Why do I click onto these…?
Sorry the connection needs to be flush with the system! I don’t want an adapter to use an older MagSafe power unit. Apple messed up! There should have been the ‘Option’ to use a USB-C port to power your system. The primary power port (MagSafe Version 4) should have been its own independent connection.