What could they call these charging cables?
What could they call these charging cables?
Years before I retired and had time for hardware problems, my son had a charging cable with a magnetic connector to keep it firmly attached to his laptop. I wonder if they still produce those cables and devices. It seems like a clever solution to hold the cable in place. The cable would lay flat against the device’s edge, which felt more practical than having it stick out at an angle. Now I own a heavy-duty cable from AT&T that sticks straight out from my iPad, so its weight could easily press on the receiver inside.
I’ve discussed this on another forum, but the only responses were frustration and mockery. I didn’t reply and no longer visit that site. Sometimes my iPad won’t charge at all. Seven years ago, I bought it used for my wife. When it does charge, it retains the power for a long time. This suggests there might be damage to the charging port. People told me that if the female port fails, repairing it would cost more than replacing the iPad itself.
That’s why I’m searching for a magnetic connector cable that stays parallel to the device. We’re also trying to find a compatible gadget. Often when we charge now, some pressure is applied on both sides of the connection point. If the cable isn’t perfectly flat, even its thickness can cause stress at the joint. A better option might be a small male insert that fits inside the female port and uses a magnet for a permanent hold. If you could create something like that, we’d only need to buy a cable with a magnetic connector.
The connector is known as MagSafe. For more details, refer to the provided source. Your iPad model might be one of these:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-...wh...ource=feed
There are cables that connect via a magnetic adapter, similar to those found in the linked product. I don't have confidence in their performance. It would be helpful if such devices were more widely available, especially on standard ports like USB, so that all USB devices could use a MagSafe connection regardless of their value. Because these connections are shallow, there isn't much support for items like USB flash drives that don't require a MagSafe port.
Magnetic solutions offer better safety when you accidentally touch the cable, and they’re easier to use since they automatically align, requiring just a gentle placement.
The different MagSafe cable versions might feel outdated—even the iPhone 8 supported 7.5W wireless charging. Still, a solid physical connection can provide much higher power for laptops.
Apple is making progress by adding wireless charging to its 2024 OLED iPad models with glass backs, though it’s still 16 years behind schedule. They’ll need to prove they truly invented it or refined it enough for widespread adoption.
It’s worth noting that Qi2, which is based on the MagSafe alignment system, can deliver up to 15W wirelessly. One common issue with wireless charging is the need for precise positioning, which can slow charging and reduce efficiency compared to a direct cable connection. However, this doesn’t damage your port.
For older iPads, there are many cases that support wireless chargers, but they still depend on having a reliable port to ensure proper charging.