Last night’s surprising rumors provided us with our first in-depth analysis of what we can expect from the new MacBook Pro models coming in 2021, and there are some significant changes in the works.
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Along with additional doors, a new flat edge design and the removal of the Touch Bar, Apple’s updated MacBook Pro machines will re-launch MagSafe.
MagSafe on 2021 MacBook Pro models
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple will return to using 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 instead of USB-C, with the new port located next to the USB-C ports.
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The design of the new MagSafe connector will be similar to the design of the previous MagSafe connector used on Macs and will allow faster charging speeds than with USB-C.
MagSafe 1 – 2006
“MagSafe” debuted for the first time in January 2006, when Apple launched the first MacBook Pro, which was also the first Mac laptop with an integrated Intel chip. There were a total of two versions of MagSafe and the 2006 MacBook Pro used the original MagSafe connector.
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The first MagSafe port featured a square shape design with five holes, which connected to a connector that accompanied it using a magnetic connection. The idea was that if the connector were pulled, it would disconnect quickly and smoothly, without causing damage to the MagSafe port or pulling the MacBook Pro off a table or desk.
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As with USB-C, MagSafe had a design that allowed the connector to be connected to a Mac in any orientation and charging was even simpler than with USB-C because there was no need to insert a cable into a port – you just aligned the connector and it stuck magnetically in place. Apple developed 45W, 60W and 85W MagSafe connectors for various machines.
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Apple initially used a T-shaped design that routed the cable directly out of a machine, but the original “MagSafe” was moved to 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
Apple in 2012 introduced a new version of MagSafe called MagSafe 2, featuring a thinner and wider port and a new connector design that was suitable for thinner Macs that Apple unveiled that year. The MagSafe 2 connectors were not compatible with the original MagSafe ports, requiring an adapter.
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Apple reverted to its T-shaped design for the SaMagSafe 2 and maintained it throughout the life of MagSafe, and it is probably the same cable design and orientation that we will see on the MacBook Pro 2021 models.
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MagSafe Discontinuation
In 2016, with the launch of the USB-C MacBook Pro models, Apple began to discontinue MagSafe. MacBook Pro models launched between 2016 and 2020 do not use MagSafe technology and are instead charged via one of the machine’s USB-C ports. The MagSafe has been completely eliminated from the Mac line and the latest machine with the SaMagSafe, the MacBook Air 2017, was discontinued by Apple in July 2019.
Return of MagSafe
Apple started bringing MagSafe back in 2020 with the launch of the iPhone 12 line. The iPhone 12 models feature a built-in magnet ring to support a wireless magnetic charger option that Apple called MagSafe and soon, MagSafe uploading can be reactivated across the entire Apple product line.
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Based on the rumors we’ve heard so far, it looks like the next MagSafe connector on MacBook Pro 2021 models will be similar to the MagSafe 2 connector that has been discontinued. It is unlikely to be identical, however, as it is said to load new MacBook Pro models faster than USB-C.
The old “MagSafe” cables were prone to breaking and fraying around the charging connector, so Apple may have a new design in mind for the MacBook Pro 2021 models to alleviate the problem.
In the past, Apple has not licensed its MagSafe technology, but that may change for the MacBook Pro 2021 models. Apple is allowing third-party companies to develop MagSafe-based charging options for the iPhone, so this time we can see solutions for third-party SaMagSafe charge for Mac, but this is not guaranteed.
MagSafe Hardware
With Apple planning to launch a new MagSafe connector option, it is a sign that the hardware needed to charge a Mac will continue to ship with Mac machines. With iPhones 2020, Apple has stopped providing power adapters for charging purposes , but it doesn’t look like it will expand into the Mac line.
The move back to MagSafe is likely to be popular with MacBook Pro owners who have not had this feature since Apple transitioned to USB-C. In fact, the new MacBook Pro models appear to be removing all the features that Mac owners complained about, including the Touch Bar, which never caught on the way Apple expected, and the limited number of ports on USB-C machines.