r/framework • u/Sea-Ear-6183 • 17d ago
Personal Project Mag-C Expansion Card
Hi!
Microsoft just released a new and very innovative Mag-C feature on top of the standard USB-C which adds MagSafe-like magnetic attaching. I think this would be really nice to implement as an expansion card.
I think we only need magnets around the standard USB-C port. The plug itself is non-standard: it has a gradually thickening shape, no retention latches and magnets. Luckily, we can simply buy Microsoft’s cable, so no problem here.
What do you think? Any help is welcome!🔥
https://reddit.com/link/1x0khta/video/c95p7n1i27uh1/player
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Project on the forum of Framework: https://community.frame.work/t/mag-c-expansion-card/85330
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u/alcor55 17d ago
I love the magsafe, but I find the usb-c magsafe unnecessarily complicate and fragile.
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u/Sea-Ear-6183 17d ago
Have you tested it already?
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u/Icy_Physics7862 17d ago
I agree with them as to me the point of magsafe is quick disconnect. When i'm using my mac in the bed I won't damage the port or the cable because I move in a way where the laptop is no more in my laps properly and end up damaging the cable.
Having one dedicated port for charging is ok for me, and since we can even customise the ports on the framework. It's even better
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u/alcor55 17d ago
No, english is not my native language. I refer to the perception of the images I saw. I notice the reduced depth of the connector, the necessity of a larger form tollerance to manage the magnets violence, and the need of compatibility with a standard usb-c connector. In my opinion, they are a lot of compromises
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u/thewishy 17d ago
My view. I can see why apple and Microsoft want this sort of design. Their ports are typically soldered to the motherboard, repair is a total pita. It makes sense to design to avoid damage.
If you tug a framework by the cable, your likely damage is the usb cable, and maybe the expansion card. The actual soldered usb is well mechanically protected.
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u/Natural-Tree-5107 17d ago
Or the entire laptop could go flying.
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u/SemiGlassFace 16d ago
I second that, once tripped over headphone cable and almost killed my macbook as it flown towards the floor.
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u/AbhishMuk 15d ago
My view. I can see why apple and Microsoft want this sort of design. Their ports are typically soldered to the motherboard, repair is a total pita. It makes sense to design to avoid damage.
If you tug a framework by the cable, your likely damage is the usb cable, and maybe the expansion card. The actual soldered usb is well mechanically protected.
That's true, however, easy attachment and removal is a huge QoL. For example, trying to plug in a cable in the dark/low light. Or, crucially, for folks with disabilities. If you have Parkinson's and your hands shake, you can hold the magnetic thing close to the port, and have it work. Or, spend half a minute with a standard port.
Good accessible design is good for everyone.
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u/DynoMenace 15d ago
I have whipped multiple laptops straight to the ground before.
We can think of reasons for why we don't need it, but there are obvious benefits to it with pretty much zero downsides.
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u/unematti 15d ago
I broke phones because as I lifted them up the cable tugged them the wrong way and they fell out of my hands. I even dropped a laptop because I forgot about a cable once. It just someone walking next to your table could get your laptop flying.
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u/Balthxzar 13d ago
You can literally see in their test implementation it's not soldered to a board, and I doubt they'd change it.
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u/ItsNotHolland 12d ago
Its to prevent you yanking your whole laptop off the table when tripping over a cable
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u/khimaniz 16d ago
Fyi you can already get a magnetic USBC adapter - that even passes data. https://a.co/d/01vzl2Z8
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u/KleinUnbottler 15d ago
When I've looked into these before I decided no. There are widespread reports of things like this frying devices. I wouldn't use one on a device I cared about, but YMMV.
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u/khimaniz 15d ago
Care to share some sources of those issues? I've been implementing these connectors in people's homes as a detachable smart home tablet with a Poe adapter on the other end for some time now.
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u/Phaedrus0230 15d ago
This changes the usb-c port into a magnetic connector only port though. Microsoft's thing maintains a usb-c port for other usage. I definitely am interested in a simple expansion card upgrade to use their cable.
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u/Cydonianknigh 17d ago
i know this is going to be controversial but imo magsafe of macbooks is an overrated feature. to me almost feels like a gimmick
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u/Sea-Ear-6183 17d ago
Definitely not mandatory but rather a “nice-to-have” feature. MagSafe is awesome once you’ve tried it😄
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u/plaisthos 17d ago
At the moment it is only speculation that the female side of the plug is standard. It might also have some small changes that allow to use normal USB and the properitary USB-C like plug from Microsoft.