Make your MacBook trip-proof again with the Bolt-S magnetic USB-C cable
It really hurts when you lose something near and dear to your heart.
I’m, of course, talking about MagSafe, Apple’s proprietary magnetic charging connector that has saved untold numbers of MacBooks from crashing into the ground after an accidental trip. What else would I be talking about?
Maybe MagSafe will return in the future or perhaps wireless charging will become a thing for laptops, but I’m not holding my breath. That’s why it’s so great to see Vinpok’s PokMag Bolt-S magnetic USB-C cable come in and fill the void.
Apple killed MagSafe on the MacBook in 2015 when it went with a single USB-C port, and it removed the connector completely from all its laptops with the redesigned MacBook Pros last year.
USB-C is definitely more versatile it can be plugged in any orientation and does triple duty handling power, data, and display output but it could destroy your laptop when you trip over the cable (which you most definitely will).
Virtually no charging compromise
This part goes right into your MacBook’s USB-C port and barely juts out.
Image: RAYMOND WONG/MASHABLE
The Bolt-S isn’t the first attempt at bringing the MagSafe back to MacBooks. Griffin’s BreakSafe has been around for a few years and there are a bunch of magnetic USB-C cables from lesser-known companies.
What sets the Bolt-S apart, though, is its support for the new 15-inch MacBook Pro’s 87-watt power supply. Vinpok says the cable can achieve a maximum current range of 4.3 amps, which is about the same power throughout as using a regular non-magnetic USB-C cable with the 87-watt supply. This means the Bolt-S charges at the 15-inch MBP’s full potential.
In my tests with a friend’s 15-inch MBP, the Bolt-S cable charged it up nearly as fast as the laptop’s included power cable and supply. I also used the magnetic cable to charge up my personal 2015 12-inch MacBook and it charged equally as fast as the normal USB-C cable.
The Bolt-S is also way smaller than other magnetic USB-C cables. If you look at Griffin’s BreakSafe, you’ve got a large chunk that sticks out of the MacBook, which makes it virtually impossible to place in your bag without potentially snapping it in half. The magnetic contacts on the Bolt-S are also stronger than those on the BreakSafe.
Image: RAYMOND WONG/MASHABLE
Image: RAYMOND WONG/MASHABLE
If your device has Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging capabilities, then the Bolt-S gets even better. It charges as fast as your power adapter allows, and Quick Charge gets you from zero to 80 percent in 35 minutes with a compatible power adapter. Otherwise, you’ll see regular slow charging if you use a non-QC3.0 adapter. Womp, womp.
I’ve been using the 6.6-foot-long magnetic cable with my MacBook for about a week, and it’s like Apple never removed the MagSafe at all. My 2015 MacBook only has a single USB-C port so I did need to remove the Bolt-S a few times to plug in dongles. Newer MacBook Pros with two or four USB-C ports are more convenient. You could easily leave the magnetic plug connected and never take it off.
If there’s only one thing that could be improved on the Bolt-S, it’s the magnetic orientation. It has five tiny little contacts (two on top and three on top) inside of its plug. The trapezoid-shaped contacts in the cable portion of the Bolt-S must be properly oriented so that they align with the magnetic contact that’s plugged into your MacBook’s USB-C port. It’s not reversible like with MagSafe and not a deal-breaker at all, but something I hope to see improved in future versions.
Like Apple never killed MagSafe at all
There’s no going back after using the Bolt-S.
Image: RAYMOND WONG/MASHABLE
MagSafe was the best, most underrated feature on MacBooks, and now that it’s gone I really miss it. Thankfully, the Bolt-S exists and it’s affordable, too. The cable’s currently being sold on Indiegogo for a special discounted price of $24 (retail price is $50) with delivery in October. There’s also a 5-pack for a discounted $115 (from $250) and a 10-pack discounted at $215 (from $500).
I know, I know, crowdfunding campaigns suck (I’ve had my share of issues with Kickstarters), but the campaign’s already surpassed its $10,000 goal with over $67,000 in funding collected so far as of this writing. The two sample Bolt-S cables that I’ve been testing are as close to what final units will look like (they even came in shrink-wrapped packaging) if that helps with your decision.
At $24 a cable, the Bolt-S is a small insurance that’ll keep your MacBook safe from accidental damage. It’s not a replacement for AppleCare, but it’ll almost definitely save you from needing to make trips to the Apple Store to get it repaired. There’s really no going back, and I’ve already put my money where my mouth is with a 5-pack order for all my USB-C devices.
Vinpok Bolt-S magnetic USB-C cable
The Good
Super small compared to other magnetic USB-C cables Charges nearly as fast with Apple’s own USB-C cable using 87-watt adapter 6.6-foot length Comes with carry case
The Bad
Magnetic plug only works in one direction
The Bottom Line
The Vinpok Bolt-S is the best USB-C charging cable for MacBook owners.
Read more: http://mashable.com/2017/08/07/vinpok-bolt-s-magnetic-usb-c-cable-macbook-pro-review/
Posted by dj0pium- Posted in DJ News
Aug, 08, 2017
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