Quick and simple way to prevent laptop power cords fraying

As a MacBook owner, I've grown accustom to the fact that it won't be long before the cable on the power cord starts to fray, and once that's happened, it's only a matter of time before I'm giving Apple another $80 for a charger.

See also: Every day carry (EDC) pocket tools and gadgets

Well, prevention is better than cure, so I've been taking steps to prevent the problem from happening, rather than dealing with it once it's started. And don't worry, this isn't specific to the MacBook - this will work on all brands of laptop power cords.

This also works for smartphone or laptop power cables. I know, because I've tested this on the weakest of the weak charger cables - the Apple Lightning cable.

I've been experimenting with a number of techniques over the past few months, and the best one I've come up with needs only two things: a pack of Sugru and a couple of small cable ties.

Not heard of Sugru? It's a mouldable adhesive made of polysiloxane (silicone caulk) and talc. It sets into a durable, waterproof silicone rubber in about 24 hours, and it's stable between -50°C (-58°F) to +180°C (356°F).

Here's what I do:

Here's how to prevent laptop power cords from fraying (gallery)

See also:

• Here's how to make rechargeable batteries last for years
• How to jump the queue and download Android 7.0 Nougat now
• Here's why the headphone jack will be almost extinct in a decade
• New iPads are coming, claims report, but "revolutionary" new iPads won't come until 2018