Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables • Hacker News Board

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#151

Post by vl » Sat, Jun 11, 2011, 10:19 AM UTC

hollerith wrote: post #8

Two other places where aesthetic form trumps function in Apple keyboards and Macbooks: (1) arrow keys are much narrower (especially on the 11-inch Macbook Air) than on most notebooks (probably because unlike most notebook makers, Apple decided against breaking the "clean line" along the edge of the keyboard closest to the typist). (2) the axis on which the two halves of the "clamshell" (the bottom half and the screen…

There are many problems here and there:

1) Current MacBook's Pro edge is so sharp, it uncomfortable for many people.

2) For awhile, there was no anti-glare screen on new MacBooks Pro (only glossy).

3) Apple doesn't make ergonomic keyboard, probably because of aesthetic reasons, third-party ergonomic keyboards for Macs suck.

4) iPod/iPhone connector after prolonged use may damage port on device because contact blade is so thin.

5) Old MacBook Pro had mic in the left grill instead of having it next to the camera.

6) MacBook's speakers are facing backwards, reducing quality of the sound.

7) Keyboard lights on the current MacBooks Pro is visible between keys if you are looking at the keyboard at 45 degree angel - pretty common thing to do.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#152

Post by BlueZeniX » Sat, Jun 11, 2011, 12:17 PM UTC

r00fus wrote: post #34

e-dard wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Surely the mag-safe cables shouldn't get so damaged, because the cable detaches from the laptop under significant strain? In terms of mag-safe on iOS devices, I guess it's not feasible due to it transmitting data.

They've changed the design from a plug that attaches perpendicularly into the laptop (and has a serious strain point that is not adequately engineered around) to one that plugs in "parallel". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MagSafe This likely prevents strain by removing the probability that the cable is pulled at the strain point. It also looks cooler. Only downside is that it doesn't untether easily; it's that the sel…

I got my macbook pro last november with the new connector. The MagSafe connector is already broken. I attach/detach it maybe 3 times a day.

Seeing everyone I know that has a macbook have his/her adapter fail, not getting a replacement and then having to buy a new one for 80 EUR I took extra care. Still the cable broke inside the connector!

I've never had this problem with any other device or notebook. Seriously, power adapters should be simple and just work - except they don't for macbooks.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#153

Post by hollerith » Sat, Jun 11, 2011, 12:52 PM UTC

warp wrote: post #143

hollerith wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hope you wrap it in a figure-8 pattern rather than a circular pattern (to prevent twisting the cable).

No, circular. Here is a picture: http://i.imgur.com/BuyqU.jpg

No, figure 8.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#154

Post by ecopoesis » Sat, Jun 11, 2011, 4:09 PM UTC

adamesque wrote: post #57

nostromo wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, here's the adapter from my 2004 PowerBook: http://imgur.com/RTLKM

It's interesting that the older ones DID have the vented / slotted strain relief sheath. I wonder how much more expensive that is to manufacture vs a stylistically cleaner, simpler solid sheath.

And despite the article author's claim, the old style connectors also frayed, usually right at the strain relief. In my experience, while the magsafe style strain relief isn't perfect (it's showing a little wear after two years), it's lightyears ahead of the old barrel connector which required replacing every 9 months.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#155

Post by runjake » Sat, Jun 11, 2011, 8:40 PM UTC

Am I the only person who doesn't have a problem with this? Am I the only person who removes dock (and MagSafe) connectors by pulling on the plug, not the cable?

Heck, I'm not even OCD. I'm pretty lazy and I still do it this way.

Apple headphones on the other hand, I go through 2-3 pairs a year (due to rain and the rigors of running). Fortunately, the Apple Store just sends me replacements without much hassle at all.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#156

Post by kingnothing » Sun, Jun 12, 2011, 1:02 AM UTC

vl wrote: post #151

hollerith wrote: post #8

Two other places where aesthetic form trumps function in Apple keyboards and Macbooks: (1) arrow keys are much narrower (especially on the 11-inch Macbook Air) than on most notebooks (probably because unlike most notebook makers, Apple decided against breaking the "clean line" along the edge of the keyboard closest to the typist). (2) the axis on which the two halves of the "clamshell" (the bottom half and the screen…

There are many problems here and there: 1) Current MacBook's Pro edge is so sharp, it uncomfortable for many people. 2) For awhile, there was no anti-glare screen on new MacBooks Pro (only glossy). 3) Apple doesn't make ergonomic keyboard, probably because of aesthetic reasons, third-party ergonomic keyboards for Macs suck. 4) iPod/iPhone connector after prolonged use may damage port on device because contact blade i…

Re: 3) Microsoft makes excellent ergonomic keyboards. The Natural Keyboard 4000 is fantastic.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#157

Post by lutorm » Sun, Jun 12, 2011, 1:16 AM UTC

pak wrote: post #112

squidbot wrote: post #100

My reply, I think it may not have made reddit as I've never posted before: I'm calling BS on this whole thread. The reason for the breakage is in the green circles, not the red ones: http://i.imgur.com/EYSo5.jpg The 2007 cables had small buttons on the sides that you had to press to disengage the connector from the device. This meant you had to pull on the body of the connector to remove it. The 2009 design removes t…

How do you explain the same split occuring on the Magsafe connectors? Those are designed to pop right out if you yank them by the cord, so very little strain is going to be put on the wire sleeve. I've seen a lot of Magsafes split in the exact way depicted in the picture.

The new (90-degree) Magsafe connectors are a step back, in my mind, because if you pull in-line with the cable direction, they will not pop out. There is no leverage to torque it out of the socket and the force is taken up by the edge of the socket. I bet that if you pull in just the right direction, you can pull the cable off the connector before the connector comes out (if the laptop is kept stationary).

It looks nice, all shiny and aluminy though...

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#158

Post by commandar » Sun, Jun 12, 2011, 1:45 AM UTC

pak wrote: post #112

squidbot wrote: post #100

My reply, I think it may not have made reddit as I've never posted before: I'm calling BS on this whole thread. The reason for the breakage is in the green circles, not the red ones: http://i.imgur.com/EYSo5.jpg The 2007 cables had small buttons on the sides that you had to press to disengage the connector from the device. This meant you had to pull on the body of the connector to remove it. The 2009 design removes t…

How do you explain the same split occuring on the Magsafe connectors? Those are designed to pop right out if you yank them by the cord, so very little strain is going to be put on the wire sleeve. I've seen a lot of Magsafes split in the exact way depicted in the picture.

I've had several two MagSafe adapters break at the adapter side rather than the notebook side of the cable in the last 4 years. Apple uses the same sort of strain-relief on that end of the cable too.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#159

Post by jonhendry » Sun, Jun 12, 2011, 8:10 AM UTC

jsz0 wrote: post #128

Is there actually any evidence to suggest Apple's 34-pin dock cables fail more often than others? I've owned 34-pin dock devices going back about 8 years now and I cannot recall ever having a broken dock cable. I have no doubt it does happen from time to time but from my own personal experience it doesn't seem any more or less common than other types of cables. I know plenty of people who lose them or want a second o…

I've never had a problem with a dock cable. Also, you can get cheap dock cables for under $5, just not name-brand ones.

For that matter, I've never had a problem with macbook power adapter cords, either.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#160

Post by jonhendry » Sun, Jun 12, 2011, 8:14 AM UTC

zyb09 wrote: post #82

Planned Obsolence ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence ). Yes Apple is doing it, does it surprise anybody? edit: well thanks for the downvotes, I know RDF is strong here but consider how they removed the strain rings, how they charge $30 for a cable and why they use a proprietary port. Making cable is no rocket-science, this is definitely planned.

Maybe they charge $30 for the cable as a signal that customers should be a little careful with it, even though it comes 'free' with an iPod/iPad/iPhone.