Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by zshift on Friday January 15, 2021 @10:54AM
(#25792249)
Wirelessly charging a laptop would waste so much energy. I really hope this isn’t what they’re planning.
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by Klathmon on Friday January 15, 2021 @11:42AM
(#25792785)
I'm not sure that's true.
I believe modern wireless chargers are around 75% to 85% efficient.
That sounds bad at first, but I believe most ac-dc charging bricks are in the 80% to 90% efficiency range, so it's actually not much worse at all.
And if it really is magsafe, the "secret sauce" there is the magnets will align things almost perfectly every time avoiding unaligned charging coils.
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by AlexandrB on Friday January 15, 2021 @11:48AM
(#25792856)
There's still a charging brick powering the wireless charger so isn't the 75-85% stacked on top of the 80-90%? That gives you 56-77% efficiency.
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by Klathmon on Friday January 15, 2021 @11:49AM
(#25792885)
ah good point, I'm not sure what I was thinking!
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by claar on Friday January 15, 2021 @12:01PM
(#25793052)
But will users know or care?
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by theblindbat on Friday January 15, 2021 @11:46AM
(#25792838)
But aren't you going AC->DC->wireless? So it would stack
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by minitoar on Friday January 15, 2021 @11:46AM
(#25792830)
I mean...an extra 50 watts maybe? Not great but doesn’t seem like a huge deal.
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by zlsa on Friday January 15, 2021 @11:58AM
(#25793005)
How hot does a 50-watt incandescent lightbulb get? That's what an extra 50 watts of wasted power will feel like.
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by minitoar on Friday January 15, 2021 @12:12PM
(#25793221)
My house is cold, the extra heat is welcome here. I only have electric heat.
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by IfOnlyYouKnew on Friday January 15, 2021 @12:59PM
(#25793838)
Unless you live in the tropics, electric heat is borderline unconscionable with regards to climate change.
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by azinman2 on Friday January 15, 2021 @01:37PM
(#25794395)
Why is that? Your electricity might be from renewable resources. Or a non-renewable that is more efficient in total than using gas directly.
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by minitoar on Friday January 15, 2021 @01:45PM
(#25794522)
My choices are grid, solar, propane. I only use propane as emergency power backup.
Re:New MacBook Pro models to feature magsafe, no touch bar a...
by minitoar on Friday January 15, 2021 @01:25PM
(#25794191)
I use solar power. Also, in nearby San Jose, California, they have banned NG in all new construction except commercial or multi family residences taller than 3 stories.
The quote from Kuo specifically mentions MagSafe charging connector design, but he could have mistakenly assumed his source was still referring to the wired connector if they mentioned MagSafe.
Curious about changes to I/O ports. I would expect additional (more than two) USB-C ports, but unsure which I/O types may be considered a "standard" need for pro users at this point. Perhaps video output and/or legacy USB?
The touch bar is visually appealing and likely great for most consumers, but the bar has not been as functional as physical function keys during my time touch-typing/ programming due to lack of tactile feedback. I frequently have to look at the bar, else I tap the wrong button. I often trigger the bar unintentionally while hovering over number keys. I am thankful the M1 Pro has an Escape key. I would be very likely to upgrade to a higher end MacBook Pro to have physical function keys again.