Family reference

Mac power connectors

Browse the documented Mac power connector forms while keeping identification separate from implementation-specific capability.

3 forms 3 engineering profiles 1 related comparisons

Recognition & reference

Browse the forms

Read as a table ↓

Recognition illustrations are not to scale or fabrication drawings. The label-led symbols below, where present, are not interface geometry. Read the illustration limits in each exact reference; equal image boxes do not establish equal physical sizes.

P356 / Mac power / Connector form

Apple original wired MagSafe — L-style and T-style

The L versus T cable-exit style does not by itself tell you adapter wattage or compatibility with a specific Mac model.

Shape label: magnetic-contact-strip
Common aliases: MagSafe 1, Original MagSafe, MagSafe L-style, MagSafe T-style
Reference depth: Engineering profile →

Read reference ↗Compare →

P357 / Mac power / Connector form

Apple wired MagSafe 2 laptop power connector

Mac compatibility depends on the exact laptop and power adapter, not on the presence of magnets or a similar row of contacts.

Shape label: magnetic-contact-strip
Common aliases: MagSafe 2, MagSafe2, MacBook Air MagSafe 2, MagSafe 2 T connector
Reference depth: Engineering profile →

Read reference ↗Compare →

P364 / Mac power / Connector form

Apple wired MagSafe 3 laptop power connector

Read the Mac generation and complete charging path. Original MagSafe and MagSafe 2 adapters are not MagSafe 3 chargers.

Shape label: magnetic-contact-strip
Common aliases: MagSafe 3, USB-C to MagSafe 3, MacBook MagSafe 3 cable, wired MagSafe 3
Reference depth: Engineering profile →

Read reference ↗Compare →

Reference table3 connector forms · names, shape labels & reference depth

An alternate overview of the same facts shown in the cards. On narrow screens, scroll the table horizontally or read the cards above. Alias lists retain the existing first four entries; the full record has further detail. This is not a dimension, pinout or compatibility table.

Connector forms in the Mac power family
Connector form	Shape	Common aliases	Engineering
Apple original wired MagSafe — L-style and T-style	magnetic-contact-strip	MagSafe 1, Original MagSafe, MagSafe L-style, MagSafe T-style	Engineering profile →
Apple wired MagSafe 2 laptop power connector	magnetic-contact-strip	MagSafe 2, MagSafe2, MacBook Air MagSafe 2, MagSafe 2 T connector	Engineering profile →
Apple wired MagSafe 3 laptop power connector	magnetic-contact-strip	MagSafe 3, USB-C to MagSafe 3, MacBook MagSafe 3 cable, wired MagSafe 3	Engineering profile →

Tell them apart

Useful Mac power comparisons

Related pages may include forms from another family. They explain distinctions, not permission to connect.

Original MagSafe vs MagSafe 2Apple distinguishes original L-style/T-style wired MagSafe from MagSafe 2. An Apple MagSafe-to-MagSafe-2 converter is documented in one direction; neither works with MagSafe 3.

Before choosing a reference

Mac power names and terminology

Resolve abbreviations, informal names and legacy labels without treating an alias as an additional connector identity.

Open Mac power terminology and aliases →

Continue with the evidence

From the form to the task.

A family name is a starting point. Use the exact record and device documentation before choosing cables or planning a connection.

Still identifying?Use the visual Finder →Working through a connection?Choose the task, without prefilled answers →