Here’s how to get a MagSafe charging connector on your Windows laptop

MagSafe is one of my favorite features on Apple devices. It is very convenient to run the charging cable to the laptop and disconnect it whenever you want.

But if you’re using a Windows computer, you don’t have to miss out on convenience. There are magnetic USB-C connectors and even HDMI to bring the convenience of MagSafe to almost any device you own.

Magnetic USB-C connectors are a good alternative to MagSafe

You can find magnetic USB-C connectors for just $13 on Amazon. These connectors divide the USB-C plug into two parts: the connector and the housing. They snap together magnetically and the connector stays plugged into the USB-C port when you disconnect the cable.

They also come in different shapes and sizes. For example, you can choose between rectangular or straight connectors. I chose angled connectors because I prefer my cables to run the length of my laptop instead of sticking straight out the sides. With USB-C becoming a universal connector, these adapters can add magnetic capabilities to any USB-C device.

In addition to making connecting the cable extremely easy, these connectors can help reduce wear and tear on your USB-C ports by not having to plug and unplug the cable every time you want to disconnect a peripheral or charger.

The connectors I use support 40Gb/s data transfer and 140W power. I use one to charge my HP Omen Transcend 14 laptop which uses 140W via USB-C PD (Power Delivery) while the other plugs into my USB-C hub (buying a USB-C hub can be a nightmare in itself) that handles all my peripherals, memory cards and ethernet connections.

Charging and data transfer speeds were unaffected in my testing. The connectors also have a metal housing to help with heat dissipation. You just need to make sure you get a connector that matches the specs you need.

You’re not limited to USB-C

The good thing about using third-party products is that they are often tailored to different standards. You can easily find similar magnetic cables for micro USB, iOS devices, and even HDMI and DisplayPort cables. There are even magnetic USB-C to 3.5mm adapters available on Amazon, albeit at a steep price.

Keep in mind that your best chance of finding a magnetic adapter for a particular connector depends on its popularity. Magnetic USB-C connectors are plentiful, which means you’ll get a better price.

Other connectors, such as micro USB, HDMI or the aforementioned USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter, can cost as much as $20. Although they offer a lot of convenience, this price may be too high for a simple connector.

Tips for buying a magnetic USB-C connector

As with anything technical, these magnetic connectors also have a few drawbacks. First, don’t expect their magnetic strength to be as good as Apple’s MagSafe connectors. They have pretty good magnets and you won’t have any trouble snapping the cables into place. However, I will not take the laptop with the cable connected through these connectors.

Second, they leave the actual USB-C connector plugged into your laptop. It’s not a problem for me, but it might be for you because the port can’t be used for anything else until you squeeze the connector.

This is easier said than done as there is little room to hold the joint when pulling out. It takes a while to get used to, but eventually you’ll be able to get them out by squeezing your fingernails between the port and the connector. Be careful while doing this.

Finally, just because it’s a connector and not a cable doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about USB-C specs. For example, if you use the power-only connector on a Thunderbolt 4 port, you won’t be able to use any of its data transfer or display capabilities.

This is where one of the biggest problems with these adapters comes into play: they aren’t necessarily compatible with the USB specification, and there have been reports of users damaging their devices just because they yanked the cable in the wrong direction. I haven’t had any problems using them and haven’t taken any special precautions, but a warning post on the USB-C Hardware subreddit goes into more depth about these potential issues.

Generally speaking, it will be best to look for connectors with a 24-pin connection that supports up to 240 W of power and 40 Gbps data transfer. These connectors are the most common and sell in the $15 to $20 price range. There are also 140W and lower connectors available for around the same price, so be sure to check the connector specifications before purchasing.

So if you hate plugging/unplugging cables every time you need to move your laptop, or want a solution that won’t rip your laptop out if someone trips over your charging cable, these magnetic adapters are a great way to add MagSafe-like functionality. to any USB-C device.