Why I Defend My $40 Cable Paperweight
▼ Summary
– The author is reviewing the Native Union Weighter, a $40 cable management device they describe as a “paperweight” for holding cables on a table.
– The Weighter is praised for its premium feel, with a silicone base that grips surfaces and an aluminum top, effectively keeping cables like a MagSafe connector in place.
– It solves a personal annoyance by preventing the need to repeatedly bend down to retrieve a fallen laptop cable from the floor.
– The author criticizes its high price and some design elements, like the branding, and states they would not purchase it for themselves.
– They conclude that while the product works well, cheaper alternatives like adhesive clips or mouldable glue could be a more practical solution.
Finding a simple, elegant solution for cable clutter can feel like an impossible task, especially when working from a shared space like a kitchen table. While countless cheap plastic clips exist, they often look unsightly or require permanent adhesive. This is the niche a premium accessory like the Native Union Weighter attempts to fill, offering a designed object that manages cords while blending into a modern home.
For about a week, this three-cable paperweight has lived on my kitchen table, which doubles as my daily workspace. Its primary job is to keep my MacBook’s MagSafe connector from sliding onto the floor, sparing me the daily ritual of bending down to retrieve it. The alternative of using a generic adhesive clip felt wrong for a nice piece of furniture, which is how I ended up defending a $40 block of aluminum and silicone.
The build quality is immediately apparent. It has a substantial heft at 170 grams, and the materials feel carefully chosen. A soft, jagged silicone base grips the table surface securely without leaving marks, while the rigid aluminum top has a pleasing, slightly textured finish. Three slots easily accommodate cables, and the gaps are cleverly sized: cords slide through effortlessly, but the larger USB-C or MagSafe connectors catch perfectly to keep everything in place.
My only functional critique is that I wish it were even heavier. A stronger tug on a cable can sometimes shift the entire unit, requiring a minor realignment with the edge of the table. It’s a small annoyance, akin to compulsively straightening silverware at a restaurant, a habit I freely admit to having.
Aesthetically, it’s a clean, minimalist object, though I could do without the engraved “Native Union” logo and the “Paris” inscription, which feels like a transparent attempt to justify a luxury price tag. It raises the question of when a functional tool crosses over into a fashion accessory.
Ultimately, while I appreciate its design and utility, I would not purchase the $39.99 Weighter for myself. The value proposition is hard to justify when a bit of mouldable glue could create a custom holder for a fraction of the cost. However, as a gift for someone who values discreet, well-made desk accessories, it makes perfect sense. It solves a genuine problem with style, even if that style comes with a significant premium.
(Source: The Verge)
