Griffin’s $40 BreakSafe Power Cable Brings MagSafe to the 12-Inch MacBook Starting April 25

Thursday April 21, 2016 9:42 AM PDT by Joe Rossignol
Griffin Technology has announced that its BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable for the 12-inch Retina MacBook, including the new Early 2016 model introduced earlier this week, will start shipping on Monday, April 25.

Griffin-USB-C-BreakSafe-Cable
BreakSafe is a magnetic breakaway power cable for USB-C laptops such as the 12-inch MacBook which, unlike the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, does not feature Apple's proprietary MagSafe technology first introduced in 2006.

The cable, originally announced at CES 2016, has a quick-release magnetic connector that plugs into the 12-inch MacBook's USB-C port and safely disconnects from the rest of the cable when under stress or strain, such as tripping over the power cord.

BreakSafe's magnetic connector is 12.8mm deep, while the USB-C cable is six feet (1.8m) long. The cable, compatible with USB Power Delivery and rated up to 60 watts, is for charging power only and does not support data and video.

BreakSafe can be ordered now for $39.99 on Griffin's website ahead of April 25 shipping.

Related Roundup: MacBook
Tags: MagSafe, USB-C, Griffin, BreakSafe
Buyer's Guide: MacBook (Don't Buy)
38 comments


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RebelScum
40 months ago

I wouldn't want a little tumor sticking out of my $1500 new Macbook. In my 7 years owning Macbooks I've never tripped on a cable. Is USB-C really that strong of a connector that the cable wouldn't pop out?


Ahhh, MacRumors logic. "It has never happened to me, therefore it will never happen to anybody."
Rating: 10 Votes
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Keniutek
40 months ago

I wouldn't want a little tumor sticking out of my $1500 new Macbook. In my 7 years owning Macbooks I've never tripped on a cable. Is USB-C really that strong of a connector that the cable wouldn't pop out?

Lucky you. MagSafe saved me more than a "few" times from my kids and dogs ;).
Rating: 9 Votes
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SBlue1
40 months ago
This is what Apple should have included in first place. Adding 40 Bucks on top of the already expensive Mac is too much. :(
Rating: 5 Votes
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RightMACatU
40 months ago
The MB is turning into a German car with all the available accessories :D
I've already spent C$100 for the USB/Power/HDMI connector and that's it for me.
Rating: 5 Votes
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manu chao
40 months ago

Ahhh, MacRumors logic. "It has never happened to me, therefore it will never happen to anybody."

The MagSafe connector is also simply a nicer connector to plug in and unplug. Sometimes one can plug it in without even touching the cable (by putting the laptop close enough to the connector such that it plugs itself in).

More often than tripping over the cable, I picked up my laptop and instead of yanking out the cable in a way that might damage the cable at the MagSafe connector end, it disconnected gracefully.
Rating: 3 Votes
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goobot
40 months ago

I wouldn't want a little tumor sticking out of my $1500 new Macbook. In my 7 years owning Macbooks I've never tripped on a cable. Is USB-C really that strong of a connector that the cable wouldn't pop out?

What do you mean little Tumor? It's a wire that breaks in two when tugged on. The end doesn't stay in your computer.
Rating: 3 Votes
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justperry
40 months ago
Does this even make sense on a (Ultralight) macbook?
Rating: 2 Votes
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Rudy69
40 months ago
They need to figure out a way to make the connector shorter. I remember a kickstarter for something similar for phones had a really short connector. The current connector looks like it could get caught and damage the port.
Rating: 2 Votes
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goobot
40 months ago

From the website linked in the article:

The word CAN clearly means it's optional.
Rating: 2 Votes
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gsmornot
40 months ago
Don't sweat it guys, this thing won't be hanging from your Macbook all the time, it will stay connected to the $79 Multiport adapter. When you pull the adapter out, this will go with it.
Rating: 1 Votes
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