MagSafe
MagSafe 2 connector attached to a MacBook Air
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| Type | Computer power connector | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Inc. | ||
| Produced | 2006 | ||
| Superseded | Apple Power Connector | ||
| Superseded by | USB-C | ||
| Hot pluggable | Yes | ||
| External | Yes | ||
| Pins | 5 | ||
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| Male connector, front view | |||
| Pin 1 | GND (0 V) | ||
| Pin 2 | V+ (14.5 / 16.5 / 18.5 / 20 V DC) | ||
| Pin 3 | Charge control pin | ||
| Pin 4 | V+ (14.5 / 16.5 / 18.5 / 20 V DC) | ||
| Pin 5 | GND (0 V) | ||
| Gray area indicates magnetic connector shroud | |||
MagSafe is a series of proprietary magnetically attached power connectors, originally introduced by Apple Inc. on January 10, 2006, in conjunction with the MacBook Pro at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, California. The connector is held in place magnetically so that if it is tugged — for example, by someone tripping over the cord — it will pull out of the socket without damaging the connector or the computer power socket, and without pulling the computer off the surface on which it is located.
The basic concept of MagSafe is copied from the magnetic power connectors that are part of many deep fryers and Japanese countertop cooking appliances since the early 2000s in order to avoid spilling their dangerously hot contents. Apple was granted US Patent No. 7311526 on MagSafe ("Magnetic connector for electronic device", issued in 2007) as MagSafe was deemed to be a sufficient improvement due to the connector being symmetrical and reversible, and the fact that magnets within a connector are arranged in opposing polarities for improved coupling strength.
Apple has been phasing out the MagSafe connector; the relaunched MacBook and fourth-generation MacBook Pro replaced it with USB-C ports used for charging. As of October 2016[update], the MacBook Air is the only remaining device to use the MagSafe connector.
MagSafe has connector pins that are designed so the rectangular connector can be inserted in either orientation (however, the L-shaped version of the connector can only be fitted in one orientation without blocking neighboring ports, such as USB). LEDs on both the top and bottom of the connector show green if the computer battery is fully charged and amber or red if the battery is charging. MagSafe can be found on the MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air notebook computers, as well as the Apple LED Cinema Display.
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Wikipedia