MacBook Air - What's the big power cord for?

This is a question that is usually asked by people who are new to MacBook Air or Macintosh in general. When you buy a new MacBook Air it comes with two power cords, one that looks like this:

And there is also a bigger power cord that looks like this:

However when you look around the MacBook Air itself, you can't find a plug that fits the second power cord:

So what gives? Why did they include the big power cord you may ask yourself! It makes no sense! Here is what the big power cord is meant to be used for. On the first smaller power adapter, slide off the edge of the adapter itself like so:

You don't have to worry about breaking it, as long as you slide it horizontally and yes you do have to apply some force. With the corner piece completely off, you can now slide in the end of the second / bigger power cord like so:

That's it! Now what exactly does that get you, you may ask. Here is what you get:

A much longer power cord that is also a lot easier to plug into outlets where space is limited! So essentially you can think of it as an extension cord with a smaller foot print.

A lot of hard core Mac users may look at this post and think this should be common sense, but you will be surprised how many people at work and elsewhere at libraries and coffee shops have asked me this very question. From now on when they ask me this question I will be referring them to this blog post. Feel free to do the same if you are a Mac Pro.

Enjoy!

Pete Soheil
DigiOz Multimedia, Inc
www.digioz.com