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Comment by ticks | Hacker News Reader

The problem is, there's often too much of a focus on design. Apple's power supplies for their laptops are really expensive, yet they offer limited interchangeability for the cables, so if a plug fails (due to the design) then most people end up buying a new expensive power supply.

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Another example: an old Macbook with a dead battery is extremely prone to being accidentally powered off by knocking the magnetic connector.

But while your Macbook's battery is not dead (which I would hopefully presume is for most of the time you're using it), the magnetic connector is quite useful to have. It's got both great form and function. At least, until you come to the unfortunate side effect you've mentioned.

Actually I'm referring to a Macbook whose battery is permanently dead (or removed). It's also a problem when the battery is fully drained.

I don't find it useful at all really. It's very neat but I've never had problems with the power plugs of any other laptop.

I broke a few DC plugs by tripping on the cable. Or stretching it to reach a power outlet and picking up the laptop still plugged in. Or getting tangled in the cable on the couch and such. These things break when you're not carful with them.

In fact I don't remember having a laptop charger break for any other reason. It's always the DC plug or cable.

Every laptop I've ever owned that wasn't a macbook (4) had complete hardware failures related to the damned DC power jack in the side of the laptop. Without fail the damn things always shorted out and/or just stopped working.

The standard DC connector also has pretty good function. Humans have been putting things into holes for a very long time and we've gotten pretty good about it. I estimate I use 0% of my mental capacity to plug in my Thinkpad.

So glue it in. Your situation is rare.

I don't think a laptop with a dead battery could be considered rare.

Having been in both situations, I'm pretty certain the magsocket has saved more in avoiding damages than I could reasonably expect to lose on those that are already battery-dead. And if it's a permanent failure, epoxy or sugru or something will probably serve you just as well.

I don't know if Apple hold significant patents on the idea, because I'd absolutely love to see it applied to other connectors, especially headphones and wired ethernet leads.

Not "dead" as in "has no charge". "Dead" as in "This battery is no more! It has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile! THIS IS AN EX-BATTERY!!"

Wow! Awesome!

Counterpoint: The reason that old Macbook is still in good shape may very well be because it wasn't pulled of the work surface and onto the floor by a stoutly plugged, tripped-over cord.

The benefits of the magsafe connector far outweigh the hazard in the uncommon scenario you've described. Those benefits are reaped over the entire life cycle of the machine itself. The hazard you're describing only occurs at the end of the life cycle of a relatively inexpensive and user-replacable subcomponent.

Design is very much about tradeoffs, but one would never trade off such vast benefits to ameliorate such a limited hazard.

Plus, you'd be using the hardware beyond its designed intent. This is very similar to never checking or changing the oil in your car, and complaining that the engine has seized after years of use. Just stop deferring basic system maintenance: go buy yourself a new battery!

Someone made a USB plug hook that holds the magnetic power cord in with more friction. Googling it has not proven easy, so I'll have to just leave it at that.

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