Two advantages for me: It's nice that you don't break the connector if you trip over the cable or put the laptop down on a soft surface, and it's nice being able to charge while still using both USB-C ports (although I guess 3x USB-C would also solve that).

I don't really see any downside to a proprietary connector if you also have the option to charge over USB-C as well.

I wonder how people would feel about:

MagSafe + 2 USB C, all on the left

vs

3 USB C, 2 on one side and 1 on the other

I don't care much about MagSafe, but it is sometimes annoying to have to plug everything on the left. If given the option, I might pick the extra USB (which could also be used for data/monitor/etc. when not being used for charging, of course.

MagSafe’s great because nobody in your house will run off with your cable to charge their phone or tablet or Switch controller or whatever.

Every time that happens buy two more cables. It will stop happening.

It's less stress on a frequently used port. I've got an early M1 MacBook Air where the USB-C port I always used for charging is starting to get flaky, presumably because it's been used so much and because of the weight of the cord + dongle hanging off the side of the machine.

Replacement port for M1 Air can be bought for around $10 off Amazon and installation take like 10 minutes for total newbie like me. All you need is right screwdriver.

Just look for a2337 usb-c port replacement.

Says the person who has apparently never had a dog or a kid get tangled in the power cable and destroyed the port, or pulled the laptop off the table.

I charge my M2 air with a usb-c cable.

Soooo, continue to charge the M5 Air with a USB-C cable? What's your objection here?

The day I tripped over the cord and smashed my netbook I suddenly appreciated MagSafe a lot more.

I can't understand why they ever moved away from it.

Magsafe on laptops is so much better than any other option: zero force "insertion", convenient breakaway if tripped over causing no damage to either side. Magsafe is fantastic.

If only we could get a MagSafe data cable! I'd kill for a MagSafe equivalent of a thunderbolt dock

It's a big selling point for the slice of laptop buyers that are replacing a machine they just broke by tripping over the power cord.

I just never run a power cord where it can be tripped over.

They brought it back because it's a fantastic feature for clumsy people like me.

My wife does, too, but only because the dog ate the magsafe.