Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

reddit.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

161–170 of 170 posts

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#161

Post by jonhendry »

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.

That's probably from people using their laptop too far from the power outlet so the connector is under strain, rather than moving closer to the outlet or using the grounded extension. Or possibly from letting the adapter brick hang from the laptop, rather than setting the brick on the table or another surface.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#162

Post by jonhendry »

blendergasket wrote: post #73

Yep, I'm on my second adapter for my MacBook. First broke between the adapter and the cord going to my computer. The second sits beside me with that same spot covered in duct tape. It's REALLY frustrating since the replacement adapter was $80 and it's less than a year old.

Is there something about your usage, or the way you arrange things, that might contribute? Do you wind the cord tightly?

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#163

Post by jonhendry »

kelnos wrote: post #102
ugh wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh? My power outlet is nearly always right behind where my laptop is. A cord facing out the back of the laptop is perfect for this - no more 90 degree turn.

I bring my Air to and from work every day; at work I have a power strip under my desk, and it's easier to access from the front (and also less of a hassle to unplug and replug every evening and morning). At home I have a power strip under the front of my couch; when I have the laptop on my lap on the couch the cord goes out the back, but if I place the laptop on my coffee table, the cord comes back to the front. Do I…

At work I have the fat grounded extension cord thingy plugged into the strip under the desk, with the end kept above the desk. When I get to work I just hook that to the brick. No need to crawl under the desk.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#165

Post by jonhendry »

lurker19 wrote: post #137
andrewpi wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've had mine replaced for free, but only after being accused by the 'Genius' of 'doing it wrong' by wrapping my cable around the provided tabs.

The proper technique is ridiculously subtle. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1630 That support article is a spiritual ancestor of the Antennagate defense press event.

It's not that subtle. Just don't try to wrap it really tight, which would put a constant strain on the wire where it enters the brick that would last until you completely unwind the cord again.

Frankly, everything in that document just looks like common sense.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#166

Post by jonhendry »

clark-kent wrote: post #136
krakensden wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is with the the cables from the past couple of years, that's probably why your stuff works and his more recent gear does not.

I bought my MBP in 2008, I'm on my third Magsafe cable now. The last 2 caught fire. Seems I need a new cable every year.

I use a 2008 MBP's brick to run my 2010 MBP much of the time. Haven't had any problems with it. Nor have I had any trouble with the 2010 brick.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#167

Post by hollerith »

wtallis wrote: post #127
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…

As I recall, back in the PowerBook days, Apple touted how their new hinge design reduced the overall height of the notebook when open. As compared with the previous PowerBooks (which had much thicker bases), the titanium PowerBooks had a much lower profile, without really sacrificing anything except the ability to bend the display all the way back.

--and to have the front of the notebook off the ground (e.g., resting on/against my knee) while the back is on the ground. Well, you can do that with a Macbook, but (1) you stress the hinge and (2) you will probably move the screen a little.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#168

Post by gabbyjoven »

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…

This article is true, if you look at how Apple designs their products, the look is always minimalistic. They will sacrifice features and function in favor of design. And in a way, this is really a big part of their success. Create attractive hardware and people will eventually appreciate the software.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#169

Post by vl »

kingnothing wrote: post #156
vl wrote: post #151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I was using it for many years (since it's release, was using Elite before). It's really well-balanced keyboard, response is good, but not ideal, I developed a taste for switches, so now I'm on Kinesis.
Post reply on HN