Will anyone miss the MagSafe connector in the new MacBook?
It has been argued both for and against Apple’s decision to remove the MagSafe connector in the new MacBook Pro. The most frequent argument against the removal of this feature is that the MagSafe connector was initially meant to ensure that the power cord would be safe from damage, if someone accidentally tripped on it while charging. In such case, as most current MacBook owners are aware of, the magnetic power connector will simply detach, and let the MacBook loose, instead of dragging it along.
The battery life on the most powerful MacBooks released up until last year, has been typically inferior compared to less power-hungry models like the MacBook Air, which means that 2015 MacBook Pro owners are more likely to use their MacBook Pro, almost constantly tethered to a wall charger, hence making the MagSafe a requirement to minimize the potential to accidentally damage the charging cable, or the laptop itself.
The (Late) 2016 MAcBook Pro, however, packs a much more advanced battery that allows it to function for up to 10 hours, which means a lesser need to keep the MacBook Pro connected to a charger.
It goes without saying that real numbers and expectations don’t necessarily meet in the middle when it comes to real user cases. Power users will likely experience reduced battery life depending on how hard they test their MacBook’s performance, while other users will experience battery life somewhat closer to official claims from Apple.
With that said, one thing is certain: the new MacBook’s battery will last longer than any previous model. With this in mind, the chances of tripping over a Thunderbolt 3 charging cable, versus a MagSafe charger are most likely smaller, and even in the event that someone trips on a USB Type-C cable connected to a MacBook Pro, the end attached to the wall outlet will detach with ease, as most USB cables do when pulled from any typical wall adapter, such as an iPhone or an iPad charger.
Another argument for a Thunderbolt 3 connector is the advantage of being able to charge a MacBook from anyone of four ports, with each capable of handling multiple tasks, which include connecting to multiple 5K displays, or even large Pegasus file servers, and charge/connect to mobile devices like an iPad Pro, and an iPhone.
Another important reason to get rid of the MagSafe connector is the fact that a huge chunk of aftermarket MagSafe knock-offs, will be prevented from damaging new MacBooks. Dangerously unsafe imitation MagSafe connectors are extremely easy to obtain online, but they are also the most frequent cause of fire hazards and related injuries when they malfunction. Considering that the cheapest of this new line-up of MacBook Pros starts at $1499, the sacrifice of a once-convenient design feature in favor of keeping Mac users (and Macs) safe, is one that makes a lot of sense.
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