News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

December 12, 2006

tips

Save your power cord with a loop-de-loop

Posted Dec. 12, ’06, 9:53 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Tips

Cable loopAs much as I love the industrial design of Apple’s power adapters (I’ve had an ode to them in mind for months now), they do occasionally leave something to be desired in the way of robustness. I went through two or three of the old “yo-yo” power adapters for my PowerBook G3 and iBook, and I’ve started to worry about the MagSafe connector on my new MacBook. Sure, you could rewrap and reinforce your connector, but what if you—like me—are so abysmal at arts and crafts type stuff that your seventh grade bird house resembled a surrealist painting?

For us DIY-impaired users, Mac OS X Hints reader tightlines submitted this simple solution for alleviating pressure on your power adapter’s connector.

Slide the cord keeper right up to the reinforcement at the male end, as seen in the image at right. Insert the plug into your Mac. About three inches from Mac, make a loop and double the cord back on itself and insert the doubled portion into the cord keeper to maintain the loop. This reinforces the connection to the computer, holding it at a 90 degree angle from computer. It also serves as a shock absorber, as the loop will release first before pulling the cord from the computer.
The picture above should make the process a little clearer. I’ve done this on my home MacBook setup, and it does look as though it helps. MacGyver (sigh) would be proud.


4 Comments

Jack said:

I do this with my MacBook Pro. I was scared the connector would come loose too often when I use the 'puter late at night on the floor with my dog loving to walk all over power cords. It works.

December 12, 2006 11:32 AM
Inkling Author Profile Page said:

This is a classic, "Why didn't I think of that?" idea,

He seems to be using a plastic cable tie, but a short rubber band wrapped a few times would be simpler. And if jerked on, it would slip off, absorbing force rather than transmitting it to the connector.

December 12, 2006 12:16 PM
Sean Coffee Author Profile Page said:

No, he's using the little cord holder thingy that comes standard on Apple power cords.

December 12, 2006 1:13 PM
Sean Coffee Author Profile Page said:

Which I guess is, in fact, a plastic cable tie, so I should just be quiet.

December 12, 2006 1:14 PM

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