Power port in rear

Is it just me or is it a real PITA to plug in when you have the screen open? Even when it is closed, it's a bit tricky. I wish they would have put the power port on the side.

 

I see what you mean, but the rear is still a better place to have it for the following reason: Powerful machines that will be run plugged in the vast majority of the time should have their power leads as inconspicuous as possible. If they weren't, people would really hate the ugly distraction and tabletop clutter of having a big power cord jutting out the side of their machine.

You have undoubtedly noticed that they have the LED ring on the power plug; that's a very good design specifically intended to make it easier for you to find the power plug when you need to lean over for connecting/disconnecting. You wouldn't need that if the cord was on the side, but I would hate having a thick cord coming out the side of my machine, and there would be the additional problem that, besides whatever obtrusiveness it caused, people would want to bend it at a sharp angle to lead it away off the table, and that would put lots of strain on both the cord and the plug, and that is very bad for longevity of the system.

No, the rear-located power plug is exactly the right place, Tommy. You would not like it on the side if it was. But I think a stronger and tighter power plug design could be better than what they are using now.

 

Disappointing for me were the speakers, cause they get covered when i type and sound get wobbly.

 

You made some very good points. Perhaps if it were just a bit easier to get to then, it wouldn't be such an issue for me. I agree, it does seem to be a little on the loose side.

Too bad Apple won't allow anyone to use the MagSafe style power plug/port.

 

Well, to that end, they could simply move it toward one of the sides of the machine but leave it on the rear panel. Several lower-end Dells are set up that way, whereas the Alien has the plug virtually centered on the rear fan panel.

I think they should be using a significantly tighter plug though, because as you say, it seems a little loose. Several people have had bad BIOS flashes and I can't help but wonder of loose power plugs might have caused it by "bouncing" the power supply if they bumped the table.

I would not consider it "too bad" that Apple won't let others use their (silly, proprietary) plug designs. I think Apple can keep their lousy, under-performing, and radically overpriced stuff, and all of their proprietary plugs and other ridiculousness. Aliens are light years ahead of any and all Apples, and if they need a different power plug, the electronics industry and IEEE have hundreds of excellent options already established.

 

I like the rear port, but I wish it were like my HDX 9000, on the corner in the back.

 

I definitely wouldn't want it on the sides. I kinda like it centered on the back, yes it is a bit harder to find the hole (lol) but when it's on a corner it could mess up the cooling and it usually ends up bent over at a sharp able in some weird fashion with my cable management. I like it right where it is.

 

Ach, at least it's not as bad as the m11x


We have it somewhere offset near the CPU/GPU cooling vent, and without some extra touchy-feely, you cannot easily distinguish between the charging port and the similarly sized, and spaced, cooler vents

 

Majority rules...where it is at now it fine.

 

The thing i was a little dissapointed was that there was no bass speaker like there was in my m1710.

Great sound from my old machine. Sound is o.k with the r2.

...and oh yes i agree power port at back of laptop is far better than at side.


Proberly a suggestion though. i wish that the power cable from the m17 was 90 degree bend.. Less stressfull for cable as i use it on my lap most of the time

I know that i went through about 4 power adaptors with my old laptop.

This ones o.k proberly due to the fact its has a thicker cable. Will see how long this one lasts before replacing.

 

They do get hot too...I could probably fry an eye on mine. LOL

 

Have to admit that the current position is great but sometimes i like to flip the laptop over just to check on my fans/grills etc. and there's no way with all the USBs/Ethernet HDMI connected and power plug behind that's why i voted right side but i guess i get adapted pretty fast with any position except front lol so it doesn't really matter.