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Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

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Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#51

Post by sil3ntmac »

ugh wrote: post #46
sil3ntmac wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The OP is referring to Apple's iPhone power/usb connector cable, as seen in this picture: http://i.imgur.com/yAywo.jpg . The dock connector strain relief is decidedly weaker (I have had two or three break on me personally) than other Apple products. One thing that is interesting is how Apple's Industrial Design team, mentioned in the post, affected the design of the new Macbook power adaptors (like the one you linked…

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.

You're right, I generalized: the position of the power outlet varies with every place you plug in your laptop. However, I often find myself with the outlet behind me (i.e. sitting against the wall at an airport, restaurants; I take my laptop out of the house with me frequently), so I run into this problem. I liked the perpendicular adapter because in the worst case, the cord had to make a 90 degree turn.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#52

Post by tobylane »

Apples' designer's choice, or what seems to be a small heat/fire problem covered by warranty? I haven't heard of anyone's laptop being damaged by this, and the only people paying are out of warranty. It's a bother I don't want to see, but at least they cover it.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#54

Post by ak217 »

msutherl wrote: post #39

For me the problem is not that they bend and break, but that they melt! See: http://www.google.com/search?q=magsafe+melted But before I go into this, let me explain the engineering of a power cable. If you look at a power adapter cable for any non-Apple product, you'll notice some metal "spikes" where the plug transitions to the cable. These spikes are called a heat sink. The purpose of a heat sink is to prevent the…

Sorry, I have no idea which spikes you're talking about. Could you elaborate or find a picture?

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#55

Post by clistctrl »

VMG wrote: post #23
kmfrk wrote: post #2

Full text, in case Apple catch wind of the comment: > I used to work for Apple and interfaced with every division in the company, and I know EXACTLY why this happened. It has nothing to do with trying to get customers to buy more replacement adapters, but rather with the hierarchy of power at Apple. > > But before I go into this, let me explain the engineering of a power cable. If you look at a power adapter cable fo…

Do you think apple could delete that comment on reddit? How?

Legal pressure on the author.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#56

Post by Niten »

ugh wrote: post #14

Sounds like a reasonable tradeoff to me. I can understand why some people might not think that way but don't be surprised that there are some people who do.

These poorly-designed adapters have a history of shorting out and catching fire. Yes, I am surprised that anybody would think "looks nice" is a more important feature than "won't burn our customers' houses down".

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#57

Post by adamesque »

nostromo wrote: post #45
adamesque wrote: post #26

Except, there are strain relief features built in to Apple power adapters. Power Adapter: http://cl.ly/0r2n2S2z1b3K0L1E0R3t LED Cinema Display Power Adapter: http://www.cl.ly/3i1B3R142q0S25223q2U These may not be adequate, but clearly Apple industrial design has taken a pass at the problem. Anybody have photos of older power adapters to see if that sheathing has always been there?

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.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#58

Post by jeremymims »

sanswork wrote: post #17
jeremymims wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. Over the past five years I have had to replace four Apple power adapters. Two caught on fire, one just stopped working, and one only worked when I duct taped it to death. They replaced all but one under warranty. But when I asked the Apple Genius in SoHo if this "whole catching on fire thing" happened often, he didn't say no. He just told me he wasn't allowed to answer that.

I've replaced 3 in the past 2 years. All have melted right around the part that goes into the laptop. It has gotten to the point where I won't even leave it plugged in unless I am in the room.

Yep. You're describing pretty much what happened. It's always a nice when you get sparks and smoke though. :-)

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#59

Post by GHFigs »

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…

Another way of visualizing (2) is to look at a hardback book or binder and imagine the top and bottom edges of the spine as two different possible hinges.

Re: Redditor Explains Why Apple Continue Making Frail Power Cables

#60

Post by jbk »

jeremymims wrote: post #15
Aloisius wrote: post #3

I understand the æsthetic decision, but there is no reason why Apple couldn't have made the wire that runs from the brick to your laptop detachable. That way I could actually replace it for a reasonable amount.

This. Over the past five years I have had to replace four Apple power adapters. Two caught on fire, one just stopped working, and one only worked when I duct taped it to death. They replaced all but one under warranty. But when I asked the Apple Genius in SoHo if this "whole catching on fire thing" happened often, he didn't say no. He just told me he wasn't allowed to answer that.

Unfortunately, I am compelled to share the same experience here. And being the "computer guy" for friends and family, I have seen the same kind of bad power adapters over and over. I thought that I was crazy or very unlucky because everyone tells me how great Apple products are.

And the replacements are quite expensive compared to the competition (I see mostly Dell and Lenovo, to be honest, no idea for the other ones).

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