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March 18, 2007

tips

MagSafe cleaning tips show Martha Stewart ain’t got nothing on Apple

Posted Mar. 18, ’07, 10:32 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Tips

MagSafe IssuesYou know what? More things should have magnets in them. The MacBook and MacBook Pro’s MagSafe adapters are one of the slickest things about Apple’s current notebook line. They showcase what Apple does best: little design decisions that change your life for the better in small, almost unnoticeable ways.

As cool as the MagSafe adapters are, they’re not without their occasional problems. For a long time, I was fastidious about putting on the little plastic cap that covers the adapter, but I’ve pretty much given it up at this point. But should you be as careless as me and discover that your MagSafe adapter has gotten a little grungy, or is perhaps not functioning correctly, Apple’s got some tips on how to remedy that.

To clean the DC plug on either the computer or the power adapter, remove debris gently with a cotton swab or a soft bristle toothbrush which provides the strength, flexibility and precision to do this job. Be careful not to get any cotton fibers stuck in the pin receptacle.
I also didn’t know that the pins in the adapter plug actually move in and out; makes sense, when I think about the design though. What’s nice is that the magnets mean the pins should realign themselves if there’s a problem, so you should try unplugging and replugging the adapter into the notebook.

Apple also notes you shouldn’t stick your credit card or other magnetic devices too close to the MagSafe. Always a good tip; let’s try to avoid the inevitable “Apple erased my credit card data!!!” story on Digg, shall we?


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