Apple AC adapters were designed poorly; any aftermarket alternatives?

ancilla · Nov 17, 2012, 08:25 AM

Sorry, but it's true.

Who at Apple thought it made sense to make a heavy AC adapter box that HANGS FROM THE WALL? It's like hanging a brick from a suction cup--it will inevitably fall off.

Mine constantly falls out, especially when I go somewhere where the outlet has relatively wide socket holes.

And don't get me started about how the Magsafe 2 always falls out (or how the Magsafe 1 had fraying issues that provoked a lawsuit...or how the secong Magsafe 1 constantly broke.

Is there a decent aftermarket alternative?

Thanks!

aristobrat · Nov 17, 2012, 08:32 AM

IIRC, Apple patented the MagSafe ends, so nobody else makes adapters with them.

Did yours not come with a cable that can snap on the end, to where the cable plugs into the wall, putting the adapter to where it'd lay on the floor?

old-wiz · Nov 17, 2012, 11:00 AM

The AC adapter has a separate CORD that can be plugged into the wall so that the power brick is NOT against the wall. No one else makes the adapters; Apple patents the connection. You can always use an extension cord too.

zzLZHzz · Nov 17, 2012, 12:02 PM

if you really need, you can follow hyperjuice method

westonm · Nov 17, 2012, 12:21 PM

I've only had them fall out of extremely worn sockets. And while perhaps not super convenient you can by a new one for 69 cents at any hardware store. It's cheaper than a new power adaptor anyway.

Mrbobb · Nov 17, 2012, 12:21 PM

I thought the on-wall design is quite ingenuous, it rids you of having to carry an extra cord, but OK in real life, worn AC jacks don't hold it properly. No choice right, so do the next best thing, pull out a metal file and "roughen" the blades in the hope that the increase friction does the job.

As fraying goes, ur right, it can be better. Meanwhile clean the cord with a damp clothe like once a week to rid it of oil and airborne chemicals, at the same time u doing the same to your palm rests, keyboard etc.

GGJstudios · Nov 17, 2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancilla

Sorry, but it's true.

No, it's not true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancilla

Who at Apple thought it made sense to make a heavy AC adapter box that HANGS FROM THE WALL? It's like hanging a brick from a suction cup--it will inevitably fall off.

I've never had one fall off in almost 5 years of using them. As already stated, you have the option of using the extension that comes with it, so you don't have to plug the "brick" directly into the wall.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancilla

Mine constantly falls out, especially when I go somewhere where the outlet has relatively wide socket holes.

That's the fault of the socket, not the adapter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancilla

Is there a decent aftermarket alternative?

I wouldn't trust or recommend any non-Apple battery or adapter, due to the number of problems reported with "knockoffs". Apple has not licensed its MagSafe adapter technology to any 3rd parties. There is no assurance that knockoff batteries or adapters have the same charging technology that Apple uses, involving the battery, the MagSafe adapter and the Mac's logic board.

The link below should answer most, if not all, of your battery/charging questions. If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you take the time to read it.

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ

ancilla · Nov 17, 2012, 01:25 PM

The issue with the separate cord that apple attaches is that it is stiff and inflexible, so it takes up a lot of space in a backpack.

Wish Apple would just hire competent engineers to design their AC adapters

GGJstudios · Nov 17, 2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancilla

Wish Apple would just hire competent engineers to design their AC adapters

They have more than competent engineers and designers, and they're designed quite well. You just have some problems with specific sockets. If they were poorly designed, everyone would be having the problems that you are. They're not.

drsox · Nov 17, 2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancilla

The issue with the separate cord that apple attaches is that it is stiff and inflexible, so it takes up a lot of space in a backpack.

Wish Apple would just hire competent engineers to design their AC adapters

You don't read posts then.

Mrbobb · Nov 17, 2012, 04:08 PM

No aftermarket, case closed.

flynz4 · Nov 17, 2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancilla

The issue with the separate cord that apple attaches is that it is stiff and inflexible, so it takes up a lot of space in a backpack.

Wish Apple would just hire competent engineers to design their AC adapters

Then buy a cheap flexible extension cord at any supermarket or hardware store. Believe it or not... you do not need the Apple cord... you can plug the assembly into any extension cord rather than the wall.

The ONLY time I've ever had problems with it staying in the wall is in older hotels... especially in the sockets that get used frequently.

/Jim

old-wiz · Nov 17, 2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flynz4

Then buy a cheap flexible extension cord at any supermarket or hardware store. Believe it or not... you do not need the Apple cord... you can plug the assembly into any extension cord rather than the wall.

The ONLY time I've ever had problems with it staying in the wall is in older hotels... especially in the sockets that get used frequently.

/Jim

I have a house from the 1950s, and there are a few sockets that are old and worn, and power bricks, be they Apple or anything else, fall out. I haven't had time to replace the sockets though.

To the OP: It seems that so many devices uses power bricks that stick into the wall sockets. If the apple socket falls out, so would lots of other power bricks. I have a few that I use for charging other devices, and I simply keep them in a surge protected power strip.

asting · Nov 17, 2012, 08:43 PM

Everyone claiming there are no aftermarket chargers is simply misinformed; there are tons of cheap 3rd party chargers. Fortunately I haven't had to resort to those yet.

skinny*k · Nov 18, 2012, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old-wiz

I have a house from the 1950s, and there are a few sockets that are old and worn... I haven't had time to replace the sockets though.

old-wiz, worn wall outlets aren't just inconvenient; they're dangerous! Don't take my word for this, ask your fire department. Please, take the time to replace them.

T5BRICK · Nov 17, 2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancilla

Mine constantly falls out, especially when I go somewhere where the outlet has relatively wide socket holes.

I've only ever run into this problem in really old houses with worn out electrical outlets. All of the plugs in my house support the A/C adapter just fine. If I go anywhere and I have problems, I have the extension cord coiled up in my backpack.

Quote:

Is there a decent aftermarket alternative?

Nope.

lindrelt · Nov 17, 2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ancilla

And don't get me started about how the Magsafe 2 always falls out (or how the Magsafe 1 had fraying issues that provoked a lawsuit...

You are stressing yourself out... maybe Apple products aren't for you.

crazyxzer0 · Nov 17, 2012, 04:51 PM

you can always use a printer power cable to plug into the apple "box" adapter. I use an old PS2 cable whenever I'm in a pitch and I didn't bring my apple cord.

Nov 17, 2012, 08:25 AM	#1
ancilla macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2011	Apple AC adapters were designed poorly; any aftermarket alternatives? Sorry, but it's true. Who at Apple thought it made sense to make a heavy AC adapter box that HANGS FROM THE WALL? It's like hanging a brick from a suction cup--it will inevitably fall off. Mine constantly falls out, especially when I go somewhere where the outlet has relatively wide socket holes. And don't get me started about how the Magsafe 2 always falls out (or how the Magsafe 1 had fraying issues that provoked a lawsuit...or how the secong Magsafe 1 constantly broke. Is there a decent aftermarket alternative? Thanks!
	1

Nov 17, 2012, 04:51 PM	#18
crazyxzer0 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2008	you can always use a printer power cable to plug into the apple "box" adapter. I use an old PS2 cable whenever I'm in a pitch and I didn't bring my apple cord. __________________ iPhone4S Verizon \| iPad (3rd Gen) \| Macbook Air 13"(Mid 12)
	0

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Nov 17, 2012, 08:32 AM	#2
aristobrat macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Oct 2005	IIRC, Apple patented the MagSafe ends, so nobody else makes adapters with them. Did yours not come with a cable that can snap on the end, to where the cable plugs into the wall, putting the adapter to where it'd lay on the floor?
	0

Nov 17, 2012, 11:00 AM	#3
old-wiz macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Suburban Boston Ma	The AC adapter has a separate CORD that can be plugged into the wall so that the power brick is NOT against the wall. No one else makes the adapters; Apple patents the connection. You can always use an extension cord too.
	0

Nov 17, 2012, 12:02 PM	#4
zzLZHzz macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012	if you really need, you can follow hyperjuice method
	0

Nov 17, 2012, 12:21 PM	#5
westonm macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007	I've only had them fall out of extremely worn sockets. And while perhaps not super convenient you can by a new one for 69 cents at any hardware store. It's cheaper than a new power adaptor anyway.
	0

Nov 17, 2012, 12:21 PM	#6
Mrbobb macrumors 68030 Join Date: Aug 2012	I thought the on-wall design is quite ingenuous, it rids you of having to carry an extra cord, but OK in real life, worn AC jacks don't hold it properly. No choice right, so do the next best thing, pull out a metal file and "roughen" the blades in the hope that the increase friction does the job. As fraying goes, ur right, it can be better. Meanwhile clean the cord with a damp clothe like once a week to rid it of oil and airborne chemicals, at the same time u doing the same to your palm rests, keyboard etc.
	1

Nov 17, 2012, 01:25 PM	#8
ancilla Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2011	The issue with the separate cord that apple attaches is that it is stiff and inflexible, so it takes up a lot of space in a backpack. Wish Apple would just hire competent engineers to design their AC adapters
	1

Nov 17, 2012, 04:08 PM	#11
Mrbobb macrumors 68030 Join Date: Aug 2012	No aftermarket, case closed.
	0

Nov 17, 2012, 08:43 PM	#14
asting macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2012	Everyone claiming there are no aftermarket chargers is simply misinformed; there are tons of cheap 3rd party chargers. Fortunately I haven't had to resort to those yet.
	0