Never miss an update Follow AppleInsider
Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 01:40 am
Apple's new Retina Display MacBook Pro, MacBook Air sport slimmer MagSafe 2 port
On its quest for ever-thinner computers, Apple has created MagSafe 2, a slimmer version of its magnetic power port, for the next-generation MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air.Apple on Monday unveiled its top-of-the-line 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display. The machine is just 0.71 inches thick, 25 percent thinner than the previous generation.
In order to achieve that thinness, Apple had to rethink the laptop's power adapter. "We even created a new, slimmer MagSafe 2 port to accommodate [the next-generation MacBook Pro's] thin, sleek design," the company wrote on its website.
The Cupertino, Calif., Mac maker also made use of the new port in the MacBook Air portables that it announced on Monday. The legacy 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros that saw a modest upgrade at the Worldwide Developers Conference do not feature the MagSafe 2 connector.
Photos of the new laptops show more horizontal space and less vertical space around the magnetic connection, but it's not immediately clear exactly how much thinner the new port is.
Apple's new MagSafe 2 connector.
Another change for MagSafe 2 is the return to a "T"-style connector instead of the "L"-style that Apple has been using as of late. The company previously faced a class-action lawsuit over its T-shaped power adapter, eventually settling with consumers by offering either replacement adapters or refunds for replacement purchases.
The new MagSafe 2 adapters are not backwards compatible with previous generations of MacBook products, though Apple has added a $9.99 MagSafe to MagSafe 2 converter that will allow MagSafe 2-equipped computers to utilize MagSafe connectors on LED Cinema Displays, Thunderbolt Displays and first-generation MagSafe power adapters. Apple, however, does not seem to have released a MagSafe 2 to MagSafe converter that would let older devices use the adapter that comes with the new laptops.
Source: Apple
An 85W MagSafe 2 power adapter (for the MacBook Pro with Retina Display) and a 45W adapter (for the new MacBook Air) are now being sold in the Apple Online Store for $79, the same price as first-generation MagSafe adapters.
On Topic: MacBook Pro
- Best Buy MacBook Pro sale helps push down prices on 13" Retina models
- Inside Iris: What Intel's new integrated graphics mean for Apple's future Macs
- AI readers now get lowest prices on Apple's iMacs & MacBooks with new coupons
- AI readers now get lowest prices on Apple's iMacs & MacBooks with new coupons
- Apple's MacBook Pro named 'Best Performing Windows Laptop' by IT company
Previous Comments View All
WHY go back to the T connector? I have laptops with both the T and L connectors, and the L connector is much better.
The new Macbook is sick, but I just don't understand why Apple didn't talk about the new airport express at the keynote. They had a huge stage to promote it, and they released it without so much as a press release. Apple, such a strange company! The only people really reporting on it are these guys. It's just bizarre.
Also worth noting that these rev2 jobbies do not charge the battery whilst you're using the notebook, only when it's off or in sleep mode. This update seems a backward step in a couple of ways.
Oh god...And lose the sharpness of the retina display? I'm ok.
The glossiness doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I really like the screens as they are right now. It's what the screens make so beautiful as they are. On the other hand, I know of plenty people who are really bothered by it so I really don't get it why it can't be offered as an option so that people can choose.
I'm surprised by the lack of discussion regarding the loss of the Kensington lock port. Or am I missing something? MBP's are the most stolen laptop and now the most expensive one (not complaining since I think it is a lot for the money and I would max it out) may be a NO BUY since I don't, at this point, see a way to lock it. It has kept me from buying an Air and without a real upgrade to the Mac Pro I may have to leave Mac as several other sites have mentioned since I simply can't wait for something that may happen in 2013. I think if China wanted a Mac Pro it would have been presented yesterday. Unfortunately, I think the USA is second in the eyes of Apple as China is mentioned more and more in the presentations and commercials. I understand the business reason for it but it's kind of a bummer.
I'm surprised by the lack of discussion regarding the loss of the Kensington lock port.
Have you ever tried actually pulling a Kensington lock out of the slot? We had a heap of iMacs stolen, every Kensington lock (genuine ones, not cheap Chinese rip-offs) had broken at the cross section of the T. We experimented with them afterward, and a sharp tug at the correct angle and the T just snaps right off. Complete waste of time and absolutely no security at all.
I do agree with you about the Mac Pro though, and I'm sure many others do too. I'm still on a 2006 Mac Pro, which even now is still running like the day it was made. Can't quite say the same for the 2006 iMacs and MacBooks. Two years since the last Mac Pro update, and we get just a minor speed bump? That's just insulting.
Also worth noting that these rev2 jobbies do not charge the battery whilst you're using the notebook, only when it's off or in sleep mode. This update seems a backward step in a couple of ways.
I suspect this is because of the tightly packed components that run hot. The battery will add heat when charging as well. It will likely kick in the charge when cpu is idle or temps are within acceptable limits. However, I do see the disadvantage in this considering the price.
Also worth noting that these rev2 jobbies do not charge the battery whilst you're using the notebook, only when it's off or in sleep mode. This update seems a backward step in a couple of ways.
I'm not sure where you got that from?
Quote from apple.com:
I think it's ridiculous that Apple keeps introducing different ports and standards. As others have said, the old Magsafe port was fine on the Air which is half the thickness of the MacBook Pro, now we have to have yet another adapter for this new "Magsafe 2" fad. It's all very well making things thinner, but if you need to cart a bagful of adapters with you wherever you go, that seems to defeat the purpose somewhat. Of course occasionally a new port/standard needs to be introduced, but this one really seems like a waste of time.
Latest Apple Headlines
-
Penguin agrees to $75M settlement in Apple iBooks price fixing lawsuit
~19 minutes ago -
Samsung Galaxy S4 & Google Now accused of violating Apple patents for Siri
~1 hour ago -
Sony to consider spinning off its entertainment division
~2 hours ago -
Like Apple, Google & Yahoo also avoid taxes by way of Ireland
~3 hours ago -
Popular game engine Unity drops licensing fees for iOS app developers
~6 hours ago - more...
Lowest Prices Anywhere!
| Model | Price | You Save |
|---|---|---|
| Core i5 MacBook Pros w/ Retina | ||
| 13" 2.5GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,406.48 | $292.52 |
| 13" 2.5GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,479.99 | $519.01 |
| 13" 2.5GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,699.99 | $799.01 |
| Core i7 MacBook Pros w/ Retina | ||
| 13" 2.9GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,599.99 | $599.01 |
| 13" 2.9GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,799.99 | $899.01 |
| 15" 2.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,899.99 | $299.01 |
| 15" 2.6GHz/8GB/512GB | $2,299.99 | $568.01 |
| 15" 2.7GHz/16GB/768GB | $2,699.99 | $499.01 |
| Model | White | Black | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (WiFi only) | |||
| 16GB WiFi |  |
$329.99 | $329.99 |
| 32GB WiFi | |
$429.99 | $429.99 |
| 64GB WiFi | |
$529.99 | $529.99 |
| iPad mini (WiFi + 4G) | |||
 |
 |
 |
|
| 16GB 4G White | $459.99 | $459.99 | $459.99 |
| 32GB 4G White | $559.99 | $559.99 | $559.99 |
| 64GB 4G White | $659.99 | $659.99 | $659.99 |
| 16GB 4G Black | $459.99 | $459.99 | $459.99 |
| 32GB 4G Black | $559.99 | $559.99 | $559.99 |
| 64GB 4G Black | $659.99 | $659.99 | $659.99 |
I don't see the purpose. The old MagSafe connector fit just fine on a MacBook Air and these new computers are not any thinner. Maybe they plan on making even thinner ones eventually, but I don't see how you can get thinner than the headphone jack. Also I really prefer the current connectors over these T-shaped ones.