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Comment by CalChris | Hacker News Reader

Well, the Slashdot article gets it right:

  Apple's New MacBook Pro Requires a $25 Dongle To Charge Your iOS Device

I like the TouchBar. I really like the Security Enclave. I'm good with losing most of the ports. But they shoulda kept a standard USB port.

So this will push my upgrade back not forward.

https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/16/10/27/2226215/apples-...

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This, along with the ditching of MagSafe means I will not be purchasing MBPs anymore. I know that nobody else has magnetic charging now. Hopefully someone does before I have to upgrade.

The Surface line uses magnetic chargers.

I did not know that! I didn't think MS would ever win my business back, but I guess anything is possible.

But terrible chargers they are. I had to replace mine twice once for my Pro and once for Pro3. The cable bends very unnaturally and is gradually torn from the magnetic connector. Other chargers have a driver piece of plastic where the cable enters the connector that bends nicely to avoid this.

> The cable bends very unnaturally and is gradually torn from the magnetic connector

Same thing happens with the Magsafe anyway, the eco friendly material they decided to use frays too easily.

Interesting, I had one SP3 do that but it was under recall. Wasn't aware it was an issue with the older ones too.

Yep, it was an issue with the olds as well. I just wanted to link to this instruction as the "proper" way to remove the charger. I found it hilarious.

https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/hardware-and...

There are third party magnetic connectors for microUSB and Lightning. I'm sure someone will make one for USB-C if it doesn't already exist.

Just another $25 accessory that is still inferior to the previous solution. Just like the USB-A ports.

I prefer it simply because it's an industry standard and it means we don't get idiotic lawsuits like the one against the company that made Apple external batteries by buying Apple chargers and cutting off the cords.

Yep, they already exist for the macbook: http://grff.in/breaksafe

I know because I ordered one a couple hours ago. (... The first of many silly dongles I'm going to need for my new MBP.)

> But they shoulda kept a standard USB port.

USB Type C is standard and far more powerful than Types A or B. The ecosystem is still maturing, and I hope this drives it forward as Apple's switching to Type A on the iMac did so 15 or so years ago.

There's something to be said for not trying to put everything into a single expensive physical connection standard that requires complex active cabling.

USB was already a lot of software (and hardware) complexity just to attach a low speed peripheral like a mouse or a keyboard.

Switching power delivery over to USB-C has meant the elimination of MagSafe connectors.

Replacing fixed solutions like Ethernet is a step back to AAUI/AUI and MAC dongles, except now, you have to put the entire ethernet controller and a USB or TBolt controller in an external dongle.

> But they shoulda kept a standard USB port.

It is standard isn't it? I thought the port was fully compatible with the USB-C standard?

I think OP meant USB type A.

They sell a Lightning to USB-C cable in th store. I wonder how long until Apple ships USB-C chargers with iPhone.

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