Will purse's magnetic clasp damage my Macbook?

Question

Will purse's magnetic clasp damage my Macbook?

I just bought a big new purse thinking I could carry my Macbook in it. And I can, but when I put the laptop in, I realized that the purse's magnetic clasps will be on either side of the computer while it's in there...

The magnets are each about the size of a nickel, although twice as thick. I know magnets + electronics generally = bad, but I'm curious if this is still a very serious problem (I mean, the power cord does attach via magnets...) that would warrant my returning the purse and finding a more appropriate solution. OR if it's not really a big deal.

Anyone know?

Thanks in advance!
Kristan

13" aluminum Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 30, 2009 6:44 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 13, 2009 6:41 AM in response to kristanhoffman

The point is to make sure that the magnets are pretty weak, overall. You'll notice that the magnetic clasp on the lid is very weak, just enough to keep the lid down. If the magnets are too strong, and are placed too close to the Mac's hard drive (which is made of sensitive magnetic media) the magnets can possibly corrupt information on the drive, or wipe portions altogether.

Usually though, one would need a pretty strong magnet to achieve a wipe like that, so you're probably fine with the magnets on your purse. I just wanted to make sure that you knew that magnets are dangerous for computers, depending on strength, instead of taking Kappy's post at face value, which says that there is nothing in the machine that would be effected.

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Answer 2

Nov 13, 2009 10:37 AM in response to DomnizkyDesign

Thanks! That's what I'd suspected, but it's good to hear it confirmed. And hopefully any other girls trying to tote their Mac laptops around in their purses will have this for future reference. 🙂

(It's surprising to me that there's no official line about purse magnets considering how many netbooks and such MUST be crammed into purses daily...)

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Answer 3

Nov 10, 2009 11:51 AM in response to Kappy

Hmm, okay. Well, paranoid little me bought another purse anyway and returned the original one, and the new one has a zipper closure. The Macbook also fits better.

But there are still magnet closures on the OUTSIDE pockets of this new bag -- magnetic closures appear to be all the rage right now... -- so thanks for your answer! I can breathe a little easier.

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 30, 2009 7:14 PM in response to kristanhoffman

There really isn't anything in the computer the magnets would affect. After all it's magnets that keep the lid closed.

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