Use magsafe power connectors

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16570

Use magsafe power connectors

16570 points posted to Laptops, Laptop Power by badblood 05/20/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

MagSafe power connectors, by Apple, are magnetic power connectors that pull out harmlessly when the cord is tripped upon.

They are very cool and quite sensible.

bennish 05/20/07	careful, don't want to be accused of 'photocopying' - i hear el jobso is gonna try and sue electric toothbrushes for stealing this idea a decade ago.. good idea tho. i'd rather it not be a cable tho. how about something flat u place the lappy on? magnetic, but don't have to actaully connect it by hand (again, like toothbrush)
hjwasson 05/20/07	This suggestion has already been made in prior posts - please search for them and vote. bennish, It sounds like you're talking about induction based power transfer - that idea has already been discussed as well. I'm against it for normal notebook use, because it's just too inefficient and slow. It might be useful for the ATG model Latitude, which is an environmentally resistant "tough-book" design - but it would still take forever to charge.
bennish 05/21/07	hjwasson i thought the magsafe was induction - have i gotten it mixed up? I've heard it's slow, and always wondered why the apple ones use it. what about then, a magsafe style one on the bottom? direct contact, not induction, but still easier to use - large and flat (not the whole notebook surface area of course) and you just place it on it. anyway, thanks for the clarification - sorry to add to a duplicate
fgilley 05/22/07	a agree
hjwasson 05/22/07	bennish, no problem at all. You are incorrect. Magsafe is just Apple's power connector that uses magnetic attraction to press the power leads from the power adapter to the notebook computer - so it can quickly disconnect if pulled on, to avoid damage to the cord or notebook. Here's the quote from Apple's MacBook Pro site: http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/design.html<The MacBook Pro power adapter with MagSafe connector is just that: a magnetic connection instead of a physical one. So, if you happen to trip over a power cord, you won’t send MacBook Pro flying off a table or desk; the cord simply disconnects, without damage to either the cord or the system. As an added nicety, this means less wear on the connectors." I like the design concept (whether you were to place it on the back, side or bottom) - a very eligant way to reduce damage to your equipment when the cord gets yanked!
bennish 05/23/07	message edited - thanks hjwasson
hjwasson 05/25/07	bennish, the MacBook as MagSafe as http://www.apple.com/macbook/design.html< MacBook Pro is just the first hit that came up in my search. I didn't try to run down all devices that incorporate the MagSafe design. Thanks.
innovaman666 05/25/07	what we really need is for all notebooks to use car 11.8 to 15v DC power input. so, 1. anyones power supply works on any notebook, and 2 so we dont need to buy and carry adapters for our autos. ugh.
jtome 05/25/07	Dell can't steal this idea.. If Dell wants to ask Apple to be able to use this idea I'd so go for it. But don't just steal the idea.
kelchm 05/26/07	Its a nice concept, but it does't work as well as I would hope in real life. I find it comes out abit too easily. That said, Dell would have to pay Apple to use this, if they would even be willing to liscense it. A more traditional break away cable could be made a-la XBOX controller cables. Whiel not being as elegant, wit would be just as functional.
cdntthnkof1 05/26/07	I don't know. It is a great idea but it seems like it might come out really easily. Plus Dell can't just copy Mac. Also, i hate Apple.
reg 05/26/07	I think the $2000 margins are a better idea for DELL.
reg 05/27/07	Magsafe is an Apple Patented device - if Dell sells it to you - Dell is paying Apple for each one you buy. So sure, put MagSafe on every Dell laptop - Apple could use the increased license fees for additional profit, and people will stop breaking their laptops power connectors. Apple can license the adaptors to Dell for a nominal fee, say $349 per connector, and include a free Shuffle with each system. Now I vote for it on Every Dell Notebook - It's a good idea.
badblood 05/28/07	I think he means that 'Dell' is second place to 'HP'... Dell hates HP
badblood 05/28/07	by the way, Dell doesn't care about Apple. No body cares about Apple, because it is like the yoyo, rubics cube and segamastersystem all mashed together....and painted white....with shiny varnish...the main point being is that it's a fad, and expensive fad.
bennish 05/28/07	oh. ok... umm what's this have to do with magsafe connectors? could we have some relevance?
twocows 05/28/07	badblood, the definition of "fad" is "A phenomenon that becomes popular for a very short time" (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Fad) Apple has been growing steadily more successful for 23 years, since the launch of the Macintosh line of computer. Fads don't last 23 years, they last a few months.
badblood 05/28/07	quite.
bennish 05/28/07	a fad needs to a phenomenon. ipods sure. macs in general... nah.
hjwasson 05/29/07	I think we need to get back on point here. The point is that people want a quick-disconnect power plug on their mobile devices, to avoid damage to either the power adapter or the device. Dell doesn't need to license the MagSafe patent from Apple if they don't want to (& if it wasn't cost effective to do so). Dell could design their own connector & patent it. It doesn't even necessarily have to be magnetic - a shallow spring-clip or other design would probably be fine.
bennish 05/29/07	exactly. just because sony invented trinitron didn't mean people couldn't make tvs. same thing - apple doesn't own everything even remotely connected (no pun intended) to their products. i think dell making something like this would be good. that said... i've never 'tripped' on a cord... it's pretty freaking easy to not have a cord stretch the whole length of a room and act as a tripwire. existing power connectors are pretty simple to use. and don't forget, having only semi-proprietary connectors means i can buy a 3rd party adaptor if i need to. can i with a magsafe?
bennish 05/29/07	not... sure i get what you're saying badblood.
badblood 05/29/07	Oh I was just thinking about what you were saying about triniton tvs... the fact that companies don't often own 'primary' ideas, just adaptations of ideas. So nobody 'owns' the wheel though this guy might own this type of wheel. Same with Mp3 players. iPod might be terribly popular, but Apple do not hold a patent on Mp3 players, just the iPod variety... Sorry I was a bit abstract.
bennish 05/29/07	i see. yea, exactly
s_wel 06/02/07	Um copyright anyone you cant just go nicking peoples idea's
badblood 06/02/07	"copright anyone" MagSafe is similar to the magnetic power connectors that many deep fryers and Japanese countertop cooking appliances have in order to avoid spilling their dangerously hot contents
endolith 06/10/07	Oh yes! Definitely! Invent your own version that improves on theirs and patent it.
dell_admin2 07/20/07	Changed status to UNDER REVIEW.
badblood 07/20/07	now this little gadget makes an impact on how people view their computers....
pancere 08/03/07	Is having a magnet to secure a power connection really patented? Something so fundamental and simple should not be allowed to be patented. Somone tripped on my laptop's powercord before and resulted in damage to my laptop, so I would like this feature.
bennish 08/05/07	of course it's not pancere. but apple's run by an a-hole. that presents a problem.
hexagrapher 10/04/07	My Dell laptop became a useless brick because the AC power port was only soldered onto the motherboard with no structural reinforcements whatsoever, yet the power cord was stubbornly held within the power port. When my fiancé's dog attempted to run past, the power port was partially ripped from the motherboard, but only enough to create a spark gap that fried an important part of my motherboard. Whether they use magnets or something else, a quick release power connection would have prevented my laptop from becoming a brick. (Since Grandma decided that it would be a good idea to purchase the laptop through a family member's boyfriend in order to guarantee an element of surprise, and said [ex-]boyfriend and said family member are no longer on speaking terms, we were unable to invoke the warranty on the laptop.)
bren50c 10/14/07	what's the status on this now? no longer under review? I hope dell has taken note of the amount of comments, which all come back to the problem of a combination of bad design of the dc jack on the motherboard and lack of some type of quick release power connector.
thehooder 12/04/07	Merged Idea originally posted 11/17/07 safe power cable Make a power cable that pops out like the one on the macbook.
undead999 12/04/07	Merged Comment originally posted 11/18/07 like this: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67518/Use_magsafe_power_connectors
jervis961 12/04/07	Merged Comment originally posted 11/18/07 I wish they would do something like this as I just had to use my warranty for a new power adapter.
premcv 12/04/07	Merged Comment originally posted 11/19/07 Yes, I wonder if they would do something like this.
rarara77 12/04/07	Merged Comment originally posted 11/24/07 Thats patented, I don't think they can, but it sure would be awesome.
thehooder 12/04/07	Merged Idea originally posted 11/27/07 safe power cord like the one on the macbook Make the power cords on laptops pop out easly and safely
iklier 12/04/07	Merged Comment originally posted 11/28/07 I agree this is a good idea, however Apple patented the MagSafe technology that is used in those connectors, and would probably not license it to the competition.
bbr 12/14/07	It's an awesome idea / invention by apple.. But.. it's sort of redundant, or however you may call it. If you're going to trip over a bunch of wires, then your network cable will also need this protection, otherwise you're still going to break your laptop.
jervis961 12/14/07	How many people still plug in a network cable instead of using wireless on a laptop? I'm sure there will be only a few that would effect while many others would get benefit from this.
badblood 12/14/07	Apple didn't invent it, Japanese electronics makers did.
bbr Jan 7	At home, on LANS (where people trip over cables on an hourly basis) FYI, LAN speed is 100-1000 MB, Fireless is up to 64 or so "shared" between all computers connected to the router. A hard LAN cable is much faster. But, other than that, there's cables for external devices such as the printer, or a projector. neither of those are maglocked or wireless.
bryan14c Jan 7	WELL overall this idea of MAGSAFE is for a good use and also to protect our laptops , for its safety right? , well its our investment on purchasing our notebooks so we anything that can help to increase its durability and protection is a Very good idea just think about that.
bryan14c Jan 9	Merged Idea originally posted 12/28/07 Dell should include in their notebooks a Magsafe power adapter connector on all DELL's NOTEBOOK dell should include a power adapter with MagSafe connector is just that: a magnetic connection instead of a physical one. So, if you happen to trip over a power cord, you won’t send your Notebook flying off a table or desk; the cord simply disconnects, without damage to either the cord or the system. As an added nicety, this means less wear on the connectors. and premium touch to it specially on the XPS system like the M1530 and M1330
undead999 Jan 9	Merged Comment originally posted 12/28/07 dupe * http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67518/Use_magsafe_power_connectors
bryan14c Jan 9	Merged Comment originally posted 12/28/07 i just want to refresh the idea
winoffice Jan 9	Merged Comment originally posted 12/28/07 "Dell should include in their notebooks a Magsafe power adapter connector on XPS and Inspiron" Why not Vostro? Why not Latitude? Why not Precision? Those are also Dell notebook lines.
bryan14c Jan 9	Merged Comment originally posted 12/28/07 thanks winoffice ive change the topic hehe!!!
chaitanyak Jan 9	Merged Comment originally posted 12/28/07 maybe its apple patented technology?
eurobloke Jan 12	Perhaps not have Magsafe cables, http://www.appledefects.com/wiki/index.php?title=Magsafe
junior Jan 14	Maybe you should just get a macbook....but I still think this is a pretty good idea.....
lleddell Jan 25	PATENTED BY APPLE
badblood Jan 25	2001 WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A new safety standard designed to prevent serious burns to consumers requires deep fryers to have electric cords that break away from the fryer if pulled. The standard, developed by Underwriters Laboratories, was announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission Wednesday. The "break-away" standard also applies to electric fondue and electric multi-purpose pots. The new cord is connected to the fryer by a magnet. If the cord is pulled, it will break away from the fryer, preventing it from tipping over and reducing the chances of spilling hot grease. Scalding grease has been blamed for seven deaths and 64 serious burn injuries since 1980, according to the CPSC. In each case, children pulled on the cord, resulting in the accident. "This is the kind of creative product safety innovation we like to see," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "Industry developed this new break-away cord to help reduce the risk of burns, especially to children." Consumers should see the new deep fryers with the break-away cords in stores before the end of the year, the CPSC said. Underwriters Laboratories is an independent product safety testing and certification organization.
kool371 Feb 4	I deffently think dell needs to make power connector a quick disconet commector. If badblood had not pointed out about the deep fryers I would have as its agreat idea. Look at x-box they made their controlers with a reak away cord.
c2w Feb 11	Since it seems highly unlikely that we'll ever see a MagSafe type connector, how about a cable retention device to keep from pulling or tugging on the cable and causing damage to the AC pin. That is, make the connection secure so day to day jerks don't cause the pin connector to be damaged. Saw this (http://www.gadgetspy.co.uk/2008/02/07/solve-your-cable-problems-with-a-jerkst...) on Gadgetspy & in GIZMAG (http://www.gizmag.com/jerkstopper-prevents-ac-connector-damage/8682/) and figured it would probably work pretty well..
leachim6 Feb 16	That would be great , but I am pretty sure they cannot do that because Apple both trademarked and patented MagSafe™
badblood Feb 17	Apple have trademarked 'MagSafe' but I doubt they trademarked the technology given that they stole it from other companies.
cheap_laptops Feb 24	I agree with badblood.
winoffice Feb 25	leachim6: I think that badblood is right above. Apple has probably trademarked/patented the name, but I doubt that they trademarked/patented the technology itself.
badblood Feb 25	There are several patents that could be read as covering this technology going back decades. Patent 5873737 in 1999 covers a magnetic-coupled power connector. Patent 6988897 in 2006 explicitly mentions using the magnetic couple to prevent tripping causing problems. The patents are available for perusal on the US patent site.
badblood Feb 25	have a look at this patent: http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT6988897< was filed two years before the apple patent, found here: http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT7311526< here's one from 1989: http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT4917612< to conclude, the technology is not as such patented by Apple, though the design of the Magsafe connector might be.
fdenger Feb 29	someone posted this: "Magsafe is an Apple Patented device - if Dell sells it to you - Dell is paying Apple for each one you buy." This is not true. While apple owns the trademark and patent to their SPECIFIC magsafe connector, they do not own the patent to securing a power cable to a device with a magnet. This practice of having magnetic secure on the power cable has been in use for over a decade on home deep fryers. They are a safety feature where if you trip over the power cord on the deep fryer, rather than dumping the hot grease all over the people in the kitchen, the power cable will simply disconnect from the pot. Please stop spreading mis-information about apple's patents. All dell would have to do to avoid the patent is to design their own connector that wasn't shaped the same as Apple's. Prior art already covers the idea and apple would have no way to sue them.
carlsbadbob Mar 3	Since there seems to be such a problem with the power pins and since apple has the magsafe, why doesn't Dell toss in a JerkStopper with each laptop? It's simple, it's cheap and it works. I've got one on my Fujitsu and my wife has one on here Mac with a magsafe. Like Leo Laporte, her's just keeps falling off. Better than paying to $ 200+ to get the part replaced!
sugarbear Mar 9	My fry daddy fryer has the magsafe electric cord.
bbr Mar 17	Cord roll-o-matic. Just ensure your cords are 2 meters longer, and stick them into a slider. instead of pulling the pc off your desk, you'd just get an extra 3 foot of cord feed.
einbauschrank Mar 27	I remember that I first hated the power cable of my Vaio PCG-1XD as I deemed it to be much to loose. But after other experiences I must confess that I prefer the cable to fall off too quickly then too late. Especially lateral forces should lead to a quick disconnection. If you've got a battery in your laptop it isn't as bad as it sounds to lose power for 40sec. Though of course it might be that todays laptops use much more power than they did back in 1999 and therefore have to use other cables.
hjwasson Apr 2	Since the power input port on the notebook tends to be soldered to the motherboard, any damage to it tends to be a serious problem. If you break the connection you will soon run out of battery power - with no way to recharge! And out of warranty repair is costly. It would be far better to have a break-away power connector that you may grumble becomes disconnected too often than to face a repair (& being without your notebook while it's being fixed).
cuessaroupa Apr 21	Please note that it must be Apple registered and Dell should go in a different own way... kindly note mine http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/10087841/Fixed_Power_Plug
morley Apr 28	There've been problems with the connector wires fraying, and the connector overheating. Do a Google serach for "magsafe problems." I wouldn't recommend bringing these to Dells.
diggaddict Apr 30	I would suggest fixing the problem at its heart - this is mearly a cosmetic solution to an even bigger problem of powerblocks. Go for the GreenPlug - its the only choice! www.greenplug.us Using an intelligent powersupply that 'asks' what it is plugged into along with the power demand needed - is the green way to go. This is truly a revolution in power supply technology.
shadow010 May 3	It's getting kind of old to see that this isn't getting anywhere. The main point is that the way laptops have been built so that the power connections are physically mounted to the motherboard is completely unacceptable. Why is that the most likely incident that would result in physical damage of someone tripping on the power cord would require me to pay for the most expensive replacement part for the laptop? If you want to see your sales go up, Implement this already. And yes I do realize this would require coordination with the standardizing laptop power supplies idea, but it shouldn't take almost a year to come up with something.
shadow010 May 5	It's pretty obvious to see what dell is thinking. "We could do this, but if we standardize the laptop cables at the same time we won't have a competitive edge and make more money." They could at least implement this and put off standardizing the cables until the other companies catch on to quick release solutions.
arnar May 9	This mac feature on power cable is extremly nice to have.... I encourage you to follow suit...
ledenton May 13	It is a good feature, but needs some improvements. My mac battery died and was unable to keep a charge so I had to keep it plugged in for it to work. Whenever I gently brushed the cord, the cable would disconnect and my computer would immediately shut down. If they could somehow combine the 2 technologies, that would be fantastic!
sugarbear May 13	My Fry daddy Fryer has a mag safe cord with a super magnet. It dosen`t pull away easily because you could get boiling oil on you. This is the perfect magnetic cord. Everyone, go look at the deep fryer cord. Good solution.
uncola May 15	my electric tea kettle uses a magnetic power connector so it can't possibly be patented by apple. I really want this feature for the june montevina updates
punpun May 16	it's a pretty neat feature. My friend's Macbook was "saved" today by some careless students
scott31337 May 20	Decent Idea, Dell is not Apple - I rarely hear complaints about this.. Could save some wear/tear on the Port inside of the computer, but some people like to let their AC Adapter/Brick hang in mid-air between the Wall Outlet and the computer, they would not be happy...
mihai007 May 27	definitely a GREAT idea. This would save many people having their dell squashed on the floor =)
idangold May 29	a great idea it is .... so DELL when are we seeing it!?!
tfgjessica Jun 2	I have a MacBook and I don't like this power connector. It comes off too easily--if I have the laptop in my lap (gasp!), then my leg will push the connector right off of the side of the laptop. It's a no go for me.
cazyray Jun 9	this would be a great idea but DELL wont do it they don't like to copy good ideas
sugarbear Jun 9	Dell should be able to make the design better, then it would be their design.
jhaber Jun 10	I'm not sure this is a good idea as I like to be able to dangle my power brick from an outlet. However, if Dell was to implement this, they need to make sure that it isn't a rectangular shape like the Magsafe. I've seen a lot of them get twisted apart.
lkcl Jul 1	they're also horrendously inefficient. 50% waste.
ksnipersixfour Jul 15	Merged Idea originally posted Jul 13 magnet ports So I think Dell also needs to start making laptops(and maybe Desktops too) with magetized ports, so that things like power cords, or USB cords, could stay plugged in better, and it would be easier to plug something in anyways.
kenjennings Jul 15	Merged Comment originally posted Jul 14 @DUPLICATE: Use Magsafe Power Connectors
hollyberry Jul 17	people only buy macs for their style. mac did the magsafe cord to look minimalist and stylish. it would be awesome on a dell, but only if it charges at the same speed and makes sense.
bennish Jul 17	exactly hollyberry. Dell customers want fast charge speeds. And how often do you trip over your cord, people? Did you constantly get injuries before mobile phones were invented?? To me it just seems Apple realised its customers like to stretch their cord across the room for some reason.
rapdragon65655 2 days ago	My power cord keeps falling out. I loop a rubber band around the screen and around the power plug. It's cheap, it works and helps make new friends.

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