[ad_1]
Surprise late night rumors last night gave us our first in-depth look at what to expect from the new MacBook Pro models coming in 2021, and some big changes are underway.
/article-new/2021/01/macbook-pro-magsafe.jpg?lossy)
Along with additional ports, a new flat-rimmed design, and the removal of the touch bar, Apple’s updated MacBook Pro machines will re-embrace MagSafe.
MagSafe in 2021 MacBook Pro models
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple will revert to a “ MagSafe ” charging connector, and BloombergMark Gurman in a separate report agreed and clarified that the “MagSafe” port will be a stand-alone charging port used in place of USB-C, with the new port located next to the USB-C ports.
/article-new/2021/01/Flat-2021-MacBook-Pro-Mockup-Feature.jpg?lossy)
The design of the new MagSafe connector will be similar to the design of the previous MagSafe connector used on Macs, and it will allow faster charging speeds than possible with USB-C.
MagSafe 1 to 2006
MagSafe made its debut in January 2006 when Apple released the very first MacBook Pro, which was also the first Mac laptop with an Intel chip inside. There were a total of two versions of “MagSafe”, and the 2006 MacBook Pro used the original “MagSafe” connector.
/article-new/2021/01/magsafe-1-design.jpg?lossy)
The first “MagSafe” port featured a square-shaped design with five holes, which attached to an associated connector using a magnetic connection. The idea was that if the connector was pulled, it would come off quickly and smoothly without damaging the “MagSafe” port or removing the MacBook Pro from a table or desk.
/article-new/2021/01/original-magsafe-t-shape.jpg?lossy)
As with USB-C, MagSafe had a design that allowed the connector to be connected to a Mac in either direction, and charging was even easier than with USB-C because there was no need to run a cable into it. one port – you just doubled the connector and it stuck in place magnetically. Apple has developed 45 W, 60 W and 85 W “MagSafe” connectors for various machines.
/article-new/2021/01/L-shaped-magsafe.jpg?lossy)
Initially, Apple used a T-shaped design that led the cable straight out of a machine, but the original MagSafe was transformed into an L-shaped design that positioned the cable on the side of a computer. The T-shaped design was used from 2006 to 2009, while the L-shaped design was used from 2010 to 2012.
MagSafe 2 – 2012
In 2012, Apple introduced a new version of “MagSafe” called “MagSafe” 2, with a thinner and wider port and a new connector design suitable for the thinner Macs that Apple unveiled that year. The MagSafe 2 connectors were not compatible with the original MagSafe ports, requiring an adapter.
/article-new/2021/01/2012-macbook-pro-magsafe.jpg?lossy)
Apple reverted to its T-shaped design for MagSafe 2 and stuck with it for the life of MagSafe, and that’s probably the same cable design and orientation we’ll see in the 2021 MacBook Pro models. .
/article-new/2021/01/magsafe-2-design.jpg?lossy)
MagSafe discontinuation
In 2016, with the introduction of the MacBook Pro USB-C models, Apple began to ditch “MagSafe”. MacBook Pro models released between 2016 and 2020 do not use “MagSafe” technology and instead charge through one of the machine’s USB-C ports. MagSafe was removed from the Mac lineup altogether, and the last machine with MagSafe, the 2017 MacBook Air, was discontinued by Apple in July 2019.
The return of MagSafe
Apple began bringing back “MagSafe” in 2020 with the launch of the iPhone 12 line. The iPhone 12 models have a built-in ring of magnets to support a magnetic wireless charger option that Apple has named MagSafe, and soon the MagSafe could charge could be relaunched in the Apple product line.
/article-new/2020/10/applemagsafecharger.jpg?lossy)
Based on the rumors we’ve heard so far, it looks like the upcoming MagSafe connector for the 2021 MacBook Pro models will look like the MagSafe 2 connector which has since been discontinued. However, it’s unlikely to be the same, as it’s supposed to charge newer MacBook Pro models faster than USB-C.
Older “ MagSafe ” cords were prone to breakage and fraying around the charging connector, so Apple may have a redesign in mind for the 2021 MacBook Pro models to alleviate the problem.
In the past, Apple has not licensed its “MagSafe” technology, but that could change for 2021 MacBook Pro models. Apple allows third-party companies to develop MagSafe-based charging options for the iPhone, so this time around we could potentially see some third party MagSafe charging solutions for Mac, but that is not guaranteed.
MagSafe material
While Apple plans to roll out a new “MagSafe” connector option, it’s a sign that the hardware needed to charge a Mac will continue to ship with Mac machines. With the 2020 iPhones, Apple stopped providing power adapters for charging purposes, but it doesn’t look like this is a move that will extend to the Mac lineup.
The return to MagSafe is likely to be popular with MacBook Pro owners who have missed the feature since Apple switched to USB-C. In fact, the newer MacBook Pro models seem to remove all the features that Mac owners have complained about, including the Touch Bar which never went the way Apple hoped for, and the limited number of ports on USB- C Machines.
[ad_2]
Source link