Why is my MacBook Pro magnetized?

macbook magnet

19,396

Solution 1

The magnet in the clamshell activates a switch, in order to let the device know it should go to sleep.

This support article refers to the magnets in the clamshell: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2917

Solution 2

The magnet is used in conjunction with a device called a Hall effect sensor in order to detect whether the lid is closed. Devices containing magnets, including many smartphones, may trigger this sensor and cause the system to sleep.

I can't help but laugh at this line (source):

For best results, do not stack computers.

Solution 3

Depending on your model, the magnets are in different locations.

On the older style Aluminum MacBook Pros there are magnets to pull the latches down from above the monitor so it closes securely when you close the lid.

If you are using a Unibody MacBook Pro (current generation) then there are magnets around the display to help keep it closed and to trigger a switch to notify the computer to go to sleep.

19,396

Ether

I'm currently a developer doing "enterprisey" Perl for a network infrastructure provider. Not too shabby for a tortoiseshell tabby! Lately my best friend is: Mojolicious. (Previous favourites include Module::Metadata, Web::Simple, Plack::Request, Dist::Zilla, Sub::Exporter, Class::MOP and Test::Fatal.) When I'm bored I try to climb (and fall) up mountains, paddle kayaks and tour with my motorcycle. I can usually be found on irc.perl.org (most channels), and on freenode too. I'm 5th on Stack Overflow in the perl tag. I used to be 20th on Meta Stack Overflow; nowadays the user list is so hard to read I can't tell my ranking. Taiwan is a sovereign nation. Free Tibet. Remember Tienanmen Square.

Updated on September 17, 2022

Comments

Ether almost 2 years

I just tilted up my MacBook Pro to look at a piece of paper underneath it, and the lid touched a bottlecap on the table, clinging to it quite strongly. The whole top edge of the laptop (on the outside) is magnetized? What's this from?
- Mark Amery about 7 years
  
  Just had a similar surprise discovery; lifted my MacBook pro up from a cluttered desk and discovered half my loose change was stuck to it!
Jakub over 14 years

HA, I love the resolution: Do not stack the computers.
bwDraco over 10 years

Why was this post downvoted?
kinokijuf about 10 years

Upvoded for scientific reference
Gus about 3 years

+1 for explaining why there are multiple magnets all around the edges of the the display "lid" and the bottom. If it were just about sensing when the lid is closed, one magnet, paired with a sensor, would be sufficient.