Yeah, cuz there's really no concrete advantage to having MagSafe at all.

Well, what is the advantage? If you have it plugged in, and you drape the plug out over a desk or chair or in some other stupid way such that you're likely to trip over it, it might not pull your computer to the ground.

Well, not a problem I've ever had. Apparently people can't be bothered to make sure they don't do stupid things with their $2000 equipment? And if Apple can do this, couldn't they just have provided people with cases for their iPods so they wouldn't scratch the screens (and which people said they should have taken better care of them - I guess it depends if you're suing apple or not).

But here's a question. What if you plug in a Mouse, ethernet cable, firewire drive, printer, or other USB devices. Where's the protection from those?

my dog has knocked my lappy off the table with her tail. I think magsafe would have prevented this. If there had been an industry standard to meet this need before Apple rolled their own, Apple might have adopted it. Like they did with USB. But since there isn't, apple will once again anger testudo by "control[ing] the power accessories market and charge[ing] these overblown prices" and offer an advancement ahead of the industry. I've never seen another company use an off-spec connector on anything.. NEVER!

on all deltas? cause i fly 7-8 times yearly on delta, along with northwest, jal, and cathay pac, and singapore airlines. These are prime flights between LA-Vancouver-NY-Tokyo-Shanghai-HK-Singapore-KL.

And thus far, I have NEVER seen Empower in coach, on ANY airline. But that's just empirical observation.

"And thus far, I have NEVER seen Empower in coach, on ANY airline. But that's just empirical observation."

Humm.. just flew Cathay Pacific last week from JFK to HK, then HK to Taipei. Both flights had empower in coach. In fact, all of Cathay Pacific planes have empower in coach. You kind of have to dig for it (it is on the center pillar between the two seats almost on the floor, and the two seats must share one power source), but Cathay Pacific definitely has empower in coach (thank God, as I had to make up 3 presentations on the 16 hour flight.. eek!).

You all have put the words out there for me to assemble into my opinion:

$2000 equipment MagSafe Connector Stupidity

Yes, people are stupid. More stupid people than intelligent people roam the earth, with a large portion of them populating the North American continent. Apple sells computers designed for these people, they require no setup and just function to perform charting, photo organizing, music playback and other functions. MagSafe was a precautionary measure by Apple to ensure that people wouldn't destroy their $2000 hardware because they were being themselves, this saves Apple's image and a**(ets) in the long run.

That said. People with $2000 computers and pay $300+ for a ticket to fly shouldn't be upset about a $60 in-use airline adapter for said $2000 computer. My car cost me less. Infact both my cars have cost me less, and lasted longer, than my last two Macs. So, if you NEED to have continued power on the plane pay the price otherwise shut it, you have an option you can take it or leave it but don't whine about it.

I'm less and less a Mac zealot by the day thanks to the new era of iPod-spawned interest in the Mac. I can only hope the days of MacAddict will once return when Apple really has to compete in the market to turn heads, as if that'll ever happen (again).

"Apparently people can't be bothered to make sure they don't do stupid things with their $2000 equipment?"

Yeah, my wife and I did something stupid last year. She got pregnant and we've got two little babies who are just getting mobile. For anyone with small children around, magsafe is very handy. It also doesn't take a genius to realize that people might, just might, occasinally trip over a cord. Even smart people.

BB

Since it's release 3 months ago, we have had many happy customers with our Car / Airline adapter that DOES charge the battery and can be used in the car!

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You do not have to be "stupid" to yank the cord. I am scrupulously careful with my PowerBook adapter and avoid straining it, to the point where it has remained functional where many others have had to get a replacement. Yet just this morning, I lifted my PowerBook from the side where the plug wasn't visible, and I forgot it was connected, and the power cable got yanked.

And that's just me. If you have pets or children...it's gonna happen. I can only conclude that if someone still thinks you have to be "stupid" to yank the cord by accident, they must be living a life that's both sheltered, and alone.

As far as power ports, I echo the above. The airline adapter is NOT just for the first-class rich! Just go to Seatguru.com to find out where power ports are on your flight equipment. I've used power ports in El Cheapo class many times with my PowerBook and a Kensington air adapter. You just have to locate the rows before you make your reservation, and then reserve early enough so that your desired row is still available.

"Apple sells computers designed for these people, they require no setup and just function to perform charting, photo organizing, music playback and other functions. MagSafe was a precautionary measure by Apple to ensure that people wouldn't destroy their $2000 hardware because they were being themselves, this saves Apple's image and a**(ets) in the long run."

Hah! 'Smart' people aren't the ones who spend hours tinkering with their computers to get them to work properly; they are the ones who use their computers to do actual work, and pay IT dregs to keep their computers working for them. Similarly, tripping over a power cord is not strictly a matter of intelligence. Smart people make mistakes. Good ergonomics reduces the damage that inadvertency might cause to productive investments. Your faux intellectual elitism is hardly a compelling case for Apple to abandon their penchant for sensible and intelligent design amenities.

Arka C.

Our Magsafe Airline adapter DOES charge the battery in Airlines and work in cars! 3 months of happy customers!!

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WE carry adapters that WILL charge your Macbook Pro in car, airlines, boats, and home!

http://mikegyver.com

It works for me... in fact, right now I'm in my car using it and while it isn't charging, the charge of the battery isn't going down either.

Just lucky? Or maybe it works but isn't good for the system?

ignore that last comment... while the battery shows a constant 96% while the charger was plugged in... and the status light on the plug was green... the moment I removed it the battery showed the true charge level had dropped to 71%... so I guess I look into mikegyver's solution or keep using my inverter.