“Apple’s MagSafe power connector for MacBooks is revolutionary (except for a few issues, that is) but true mobile technologists spend a lot of time between wall power outlets and the lack of MagSafe adapters for cars and airplanes is starting to become a liability,” Jason D. O’Grady blogs for ZDNet. “Maybe Apple doesn’t want us to use our MacBooks and MacBook Pros on the road?”
O’Grady writes, “Granted, the MagSafe power connector is a complicated beast. The boxy connector end is made of 14 discrete parts and probably difficult to manufacture, but if Apple expects to position their notebooks as true mobile computers they need to offer a 12-volt power plug (for cars) and an EmPower in-seat power plug (for commercial aircraft).”
“…Third-party developers aren’t able to create MagSafe accessories without Apple’s blessing. If Apple isn’t going to let third parties (like Madsonline, Lind, BTI, SmartDisk, Kensington) under the kimono, they need to develop an auto/airline adapter of their own – soon,” O’Grady writes.
Full article here.
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O’Grady drives me nuts, but he’s right on this one.
If you are in the market for a new car, look for one that comes with a factory installed 110 V AC outlet in the dash. It was standard on my 2005.
This pisses me off. I bought a 140 Wh external battery for my G4 Powerbook from Lind, giving me an additional 8 hrs on the road, and they are not allowed to offer a MagSafe adapter for my new MacBookPro which they would like to do. Apple refuses to license out the use of the MagSafe connector.
Come on, Apple, the accessory market is what helps the iPod sales. Same goes for laptops.
Oh, geez– here we go again.
Radio Shack, cheap adapter, works anywhere, don’t need to buy an expensive new cord.
Apple has a patent on the MagSafe connector. Nobody is going to develop a power supply without their permission. That’s why even the cheapest MacBook has a MagSafe connector.
Good point.
R,
you do know what a MagSafe connector is, don’t you? It’s not that you can’t buy power adapters, it’s that you can’t connect them with a MacBook(Pro).
APPL will probably come out with mobile power adapaters soon, but that’ll probably charge $99 – $129 for them (an exclude others from making them, so this expensive solution becomes your only option).
I believe APPL will eventually face a consumer backlash for doing stupid, greedy shyt like this (i.e. iTunes only work with iPods).
Just buy a cheap power inverter. Then you use your new Macbook in your car – and its safer. http://us.kensington.com/html/3845.html
all you need is one of these babys.. http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/7ab2/
exactly like R was saying.
hagar57,
I think R is probably referring to a power inverter. Fairly inexpensive, and work well with electronics in my experience.
Wow. I hadn’t been on this page without refreshing for THAT long…
No, that’s not a good solution. When you travel you need lightweight stuff. And a power inverter is great for the car but not for a plane.
I don’t care who makes it even if it is Apple. Just make it.
And to Nick…first of all why the need to curse in a post Stuff wouldn’t have cut it and if you think the world is upset about iTunes/iPod you’re wrong, a handful of people maybe but the majority of us wants something that works perfectly and “whole widget” IS the right way to go.
Funny about being revolutionary and patented.. we recently bought a deep fryer that has a magnetic power cord. I wonder who was first…
Power inverters sound like a good solution for the car.
Anyone know somethig similar that will work on the plane?
Is it only business class and above that have power outlets or are coach seats included?
What he is “R” is refering to is the cheap power inverter that lets you plug regular AC adapters in to it and provides enough power to run the computer or anything else that requries AC power. Truck drivers live by these, (my 59 yo mom drives an OTR route thats how I know). If the wattage is enough you can run anything off of these including microwaves and mini fridges. Is it less convinient than an all in one sollution sure but it is a sollution and untl Apple decides to license or the other companies decide to pay what Apple has already decided to take for license that is the sollution you have to with.
You can use this on an airplane:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11108992&whse;=&topnav;=&browse;=&s=1
me: we recently bought a deep fryer …
just wondering, and i’m not setting you up for anything, but to what use does one put a deep fryer in one’s home? I’ve never quite understood the appeal. What do you eat that needs deep frying?
thanks,
me,
MDN already covered the “Fryer Art” issue:
Apple’s patent-pending MacBook Pro ‘MagSafe Connector’ already in use in some kitchens? – Saturday, January 14, 2006
Thanks, FactChecker, I missed that article.
Mike k. – well, it makes much better fries or chicken wings than an oven. So far we’ve only used it for that and perogies, but I intend to try meatballs and garlic next time – I have a recipe for fried garlic that I’m dying to try out
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Using an inverter to convert DC to AC, just to use a transformer and rectifier to convert it back to DC is very inefficient. I suppose it gets the job done, but a direct DC plug for auto’s would be much better, smaller and lighter.
Why stop there? Why not create a MagSafe gas pump, so that idiots that drive off with the hose and handle still attached to their cars won’t break it and drive away with them and cause tons of damage to the pump. Believe me, I know. I had a boss who did this… TWICE!
mike k:
My family likes falafel. Falafel comes out best in a deep fryer. My deep fryer has a magnetic power cord.
(Great Apple news, no?)
Salaam
So what if the comments aren’t always directly on topic?
What a great reader base this site has.
Nick,
APPL is APPELL PETE CORP. I don’t think they are going to be making any MagSafe connectors any time soon. If you are trying to refer to Apple Computer, their symbol is AAPL. Why not just write “Apple” instead of some other company’s stock symbol?