Anyone with a MagSafe 2 Apple laptop might think it looks a bit prettier than the previous version, but how many times does that charger inadvertently get knocked out of place? There is a solution, or didn’t you know?
We All Have This Problem
Whether in bed epitomizing “Netflix and chill” or simply adjusting your laptop on your desk while getting your Wacom ready for editing duties, we always seem to accidentally disconnect our supposedly brilliantly designed MagSafe 2 connectors from our MacBooks. These small nuisances can be dealt with a mild prescription of meditation, but what if you could pay $20 for the problem to disappear and still get some change back?
We'd All Love a Solution
NewerTech apparently figured out that a small metal band held within the MagSafe 2 connector on the MacBook solely with its magnetic power could do the trick. In minimizing the gap around the connector when it’s inserted, the Snuglet is a simple band that eliminates the ability for the connector to pop out if pulled on vertically, which solves the problem entirely, since the increased length of the metal piece of the normal MagSafe 2 connector (in relation to its predecessor) gives it too much leverage when pushed on from underneath.
Installing the Snuglet is so easy you almost can’t believe it. Open the package, slide one Snuglet ring (two are included) out of the packet, and slip it onto the end of your MagSafe 2 charger. At this point, it’s not attached yet in any way. Plug your charger (with the Snuglet still around its metal tab) into your laptop just as you normally would. Now, the Snuglet is installed into the laptop. It's a bit surprising, but now you're done, as the Snuglet latches onto the magnet in the computer's port.
You’ll notice that you can pull the charger out as many times as you want, and aside from the charger being more sturdily attached, the Snuglet also stays put in the computer. Naturally, this means that no matter how many chargers you have floating around, you only need one Snuglet per laptop.
NewerTech does include a removal tool, which is simply a fancy, thin metal hook that goes in and pulls the metal spacer out of your MacBook. If you were to lose it, I’m sure you could get creative with other thin pieces of metal (though reordering the Snuglet, which would include the removal tool, would be the obvious recommended route). The good news is that you likely won’t want to take the unit out — ever.
I was skeptical at first. And when you consider that you’re paying $17.50 for a piece of metal that probably costs a few pennies to make, parting with that cash could be a lot to take in. But when you consider the problem you’re solving in doing so, well, let’s just say there are less annoying problems in life that I’d gladly pay $20 to fix.
Caveats Are a Moot Point
Sure, there’s one caveat. By making it more difficult to remove your MagSafe charger, you’re limiting the “Safe” aspect of the charger’s design. A pull on the cable from the side will still cause it to release from the laptop, but it’ll take a harder pull that might drag your laptop first if pulled more slowly. A pull straight out from your laptop (which is never unintentional) will still take the force necessary to counteract that of the magnet. But the “worst” part is that a pull from the bottom or top of the cable in relation to the direction of its connection won’t do anything but lift up or pull your computer down. After carefully repeated attempts, I’m satisfied that I would break (or risk breaking) the cable before it would detach in this direction of pull.
Even when pulling straight up on the charging cable, the MagSafe 2 connector won't budge with the Snuglet installed. This is a trade-off, of course, but this is part of what allowed me to have my first accidental charger detachment-free week ever. The charger even continues charging despite a very small change in its position when lifted. Note: I don't recommend trying this repeatedly for the obvious sake of the longevity of your charger.
So yes, you might now pull your computer off its fragile perch if you use the Snuglet and are a klutz, which I am. But I’m satisfied enough that I’ll just have to be more careful. Keeping my workspace clean so I don’t haphazardly balance my laptop around some books overtaking my desk space is just something I’ll have to do now that I’ve hit my mid-20s and should therefore have a little more self respect.
While pulling sideways can reduce the necessary strength needed to detach the cable, it does need slightly more finesse to come loose with the Snuglet installed. Imagine this: the least amount of force you can apply to detach the charger is just slightly less than that required to pull straight out (to counteract 100 percent of the force of the embedded magnet). But you honestly don't have much leverage at this point, since your best point of leverage (from above or below) was reduced with the installation of the Snuglet. Personally, this is just the way I like it. Also, it's really hard to see, but the Snuglet is in there; you can just barely notice its metallic edge within the charging port in this photo.
What I’d Tell My Friends
Stop reading and get it. Get one set and share with another friend if you only have one laptop to use it on. And then be happy. Help a friend with a newer MacBook (anything in the last couple years, most likely). Surprise them with one of these in their stocking.
The NewerTech Snuglet can be purchased from OWC (Other World Computing at MacSales.com) for $17.50 (normally $19.99). I didn’t have to pay tax or shipping on my order. For the record, this isn't a new product. It's been around since at least last year. But it isn't exactly the least obscure product, either. Hopefully this review finds those who need it well.
I've never had this problem, personally.
Yea, this looks like a solution in search of a problem. There's a reason the power cord was designed this way, and i think it works quite well. Personally never had an issue with it.
$17 Amazon with Prime shipping... I have the issue when working on my coach, etc. Flat surfaces aren't an issue. Might pick one up.
The whole point of the connection design is to have the cord ripped off. Pretty regularly I walk through a coffee shop and kick someone's cord because they've laid it across the walking area to plug it in, and "hey, sorry I unplugged your computer" is an easier conversation than "sorry, I just smashed your laptop."
I dunno, I can't even count the number of times my computer has been saved in my studio with it being easy to disconnect. Not sure I'd want to risk having it being harder to disconnect and have my computer fall.
As artists, we all know that it's not just about the cost of the product, but also the time that went into it. If I sold my prints at cost, my business would have failed long ago.
That being said, I don't see a necessity for the Snuglet as I'd rather have my cord easily detach and save my computer from dropping.
I can honestly say, I don't recall ever being bothered by my magsafe unplugging from my laptop. I'm gonna say "We Don't All Have This Problem" It was a good read though!
The people have spoken. "We Don't All Have This Problem"
Kinda a shame Apple abandoned the 90 degree design, I never had an issue with disconnecting my old MBP. I came really close to ordering until I saw Lee and Réjean's comments, I'd hate to replace a minor irritation while watching Hulu in bed with having to buy a new computer when someone knocks it off the table at Starbucks.
I'm not a Macbook user. But as far as I know, the intention of Apple having a magnetic charging port as opposed to the traditional one is to avoid strain to the cable whenever accidentally being pulled. So all of the things mentioned in the video is suppose to happen. I don't see it as a design flaw as it serves its purpose.
So by having this Snuglet on your MagSafe 2 will just be contradicting the design. The MagSafe 2 is still a "brilliant" design.
WTF? The whole idea of the MagSafe to detach easily is so that you won't break the cable itself. This defeats the purpose. What idiot would buy this?
Ha. This is funny... I never have issues "accidentally" tripping over my cable or with other people doing the same. I put my charger where it's out of the way... But it ALWAYS comes out on me when I don't want it to ever since they switched from the L connector. So I loved this thing. I guess I'm the only one... Fair enough...
The Snuglet won't accidentally fall out!
It comes with a handy removal tool for when it falls out!
As one of the few people in this room who seems to have this problem, surprisingly, I ordered a set of these back in June. One for me and one for my wife's MBP. I have caught the cable many times with my foot, tripod, etc and every time the magsafe detaches like it should with the snuglet in.
Its not as dramatic as you are all making it. It detaches when it gets tugged.
This is a solution in search of a problem...
rather than come up with a solution to a problem we do not suffer from,
I wish apple would make their chargers with better cables,
as a traveler, and with an electrical background i take great care coiling cables,
they always fail and the outer sheaths break.
when you are paying so much for a machine id expect to find stronger leads.
There isn't an iPhone in the land with an intact lead :)
defeats the purpose!!!