Redesigned MacBook Pro Power Adapter Coming?

MacRumors · Oct 9, 2007, 06:36 PM

Apple has reportedly halted shipments of its MacBook Pro MagSafe power adapter according to AppleInsider.

Quote:

Several people familiar with the matter say the Cupertino-based firm began pulling inventory of the 85W power supplies from its retail stores a few weeks ago. Those same people say Apple also discontinued shipments to third party retailers ahead of "redesigned" models that are expected to ship sometime later this month of early next.

The site notes that several issues have been reported regarding Apple's power supplies. Indeed, our forums have been active regarding the issues, the most serious of which appears to be related to fraying of the wire at the base and near the MagSafe connector. Another more minor issue is related to the LED light not accurately displaying the charging status.

It should be noted that AppleInsider is very clear that the redesign appears to be intended for the MacBook Pro adapter, despite the issues being reported in both the 85W and 60W versions.

This would make the second time the MacBook Pro power adapter has been re-designed. Earlier this summer Apple released a smaller version of the adapter.

Article Link

dizastor · Oct 9, 2007, 06:43 PM

no love for the regular macbook

I had my adapter replaced under warranty due to premature fraying.

longofest · Oct 9, 2007, 06:48 PM

I'm honestly surprised why a recall hasn't been issued for this yet. People are apt to debate whether or not people are being too tough on their cords or not, but the fact still remains that a short happened, and the built-in circuit breaker did not activate to prevent the plastic from melting and a fire hazard from forming.

At the very least, it seems to me like there is a problem with the circuit breaker, if not remaining issues with how the insulation is constructed.

Ja Di ksw · Oct 9, 2007, 06:49 PM

Why is Apple so bad at making power adaptors for their portables? I know of so many people who have had broken ones despite taking good care of them. One of my own started sparking(!), and the one they gave me to replace it with has to be rotated a certain way or the power will cut out. My girlfriend's is fraying right at the plug, and my friend's is breaking at the connection to the brick. The reviews of them on Apple's website are horrible.

Get with it, Apple!

MattG · Oct 9, 2007, 06:50 PM

Yep...I ordered one almost a week ago -- said 2-3 weeks backorder. I just wanted a spare, but maybe they'll recall all of them so I can get my original one replaced. Right now it's working fine, but it does worry me when I read stories about frayed wires and whatever.

NewSc2 · Oct 9, 2007, 06:50 PM

I haven't seen any issues with mine or any of my friends' Macbooks or Macbook Pros (gotta be at least a dozen total). It's shown the wrong LED light a couple times, but that's a couple out of a few hundred times I'd looked at it.

irun5k · Oct 9, 2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewSc2

I haven't seen any issues with mine or any of my friends' Macbooks or Macbook Pros (gotta be at least a dozen total). It's shown the wrong LED light a couple times, but that's a couple out of a few hundred times I'd looked at it.

No problem with the adapter on my Macbook either. I don't dispute that others are having legitimate problems though- which leads me to think it isn't a design problem but a manufacturing/quality control problem?

Doctor Q · Oct 9, 2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ja Di ksw

Why is Apple so bad at making power adaptors for their portables?

Does Apple really have a worse track record than other computer vendors?

MLeepson · Oct 9, 2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

Does Apple really have a worse track record than other computer vendors?

This is one thing that Apple is not good at. I complained about my PB G4 adapters. (I have 3, each one is burnt and melted and one sparks) I know have to go to the store for them to look at it because what I said over the phone wasn't good enough.

It's ridiculous.

michaelrjohnson · Oct 9, 2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

Does Apple really have a worse track record than other computer vendors?

...took the words right out of my mouth.

burn808 · Oct 9, 2007, 07:22 PM

Unbelievable. Only just bought the latest version because the old version was too big.Must admit that I haven't had any problems with either but those pics are really worrying - no house fires please....

Digital Skunk · Oct 9, 2007, 07:22 PM

Why not a redesigned MacBook Pro?

Come on Apple give me something to spend my money on!

flopticalcube · Oct 9, 2007, 07:25 PM

Keep trying Apple. Maybe this time you'll get it right.

Mgkwho · Oct 9, 2007, 07:37 PM

Yeah, I noticed the LED light not working for me all the time either. Earlier this year the cord almost frayed. Maybe this time I'll get the newly designed "smaller" version.

-=|Mgkwho

joshwest · Oct 9, 2007, 07:59 PM

yeah my new mbp 2.4 was a missng its adapter i called to see if they would send one out and it been 3 weeks. they said they wouldnt be sent out for 4-5 weeks so hopefully soon ill get a new one.

puuukeey · Oct 9, 2007, 08:03 PM

will they ever get it right? I've had so many of these things go on me...

Koodauw · Oct 9, 2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshwest

yeah my new mbp 2.4 was a missng its adapter i called to see if they would send one out and it been 3 weeks. they said they wouldnt be sent out for 4-5 weeks so hopefully soon ill get a new one.

How can you use a laptop without that? I would be incredibly po'ed if I had to wait that long for the adapter.

corywoolf · Oct 9, 2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizastor

no love for the regular macbook

I had my adapter replaced under warranty due to premature fraying.

What does this fraying look like? I think my adapter has been frayed for over a year now. Anyone have a pic?

kvasir · Oct 9, 2007, 08:23 PM

My MBP power adapter frayed near the MagSafe port a while back. It was fine for a while and started to look brown and I started to smell something burning. Got up a few seconds later to get something out of the oven and the whole thing had melted and had exposed the wiring.

Took it to the Apple store and the genius said "Sorry, can't do anything about it. You can buy a new one." I told him how this could have set fire to my apartment and how it literally just sits around on a desk and hardly ever gets moved. After a few minutes of bickering about how I had AppleCare and how this is a safety hazard, he went to the back and got me a new power adapter. It's "the last one I'm getting" were his words.

Glad to see it's a little more widespread. My new one hasn't given me trouble, but if there is a recall, I'll welcome a new one!

Mac Fly (film) · Oct 9, 2007, 08:23 PM

Nice to see this, but about damn time.

Stang68 · Oct 9, 2007, 08:34 PM

I bought my MBP in June but havent had any problems with my power adaptor. The only problem is that it is HUGE compared to the new "smaller" ones. You guys think they will do a recall and I will be able to get a new one?

ginoledesma · Oct 9, 2007, 08:43 PM

The fraying isn't unique to the MagSafe adapters, though. The adapters during the iBook G3/G4 era were prone to that also. At least there were cheaper alternatives to consider (e.g. MacAlly).

The MagSafe adapters have been the most defect-prone, though. The first round it was about melting strips, as well as "buzzing" it generated when plugged in.

At least they're doing something to correct this. But I think a recall will only be issued if this has gotten critical mass.

Eidorian · Oct 9, 2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flopticalcube

Keep trying Apple. Maybe this time you'll get it right.

Haha, oh wow.

Maybe we do complain a bit much about Apple. Then again we do want them to ship the best products. Maybe they should listen to us a bit more often.

flopticalcube · Oct 9, 2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eidorian

Maybe we do complain a bit much about Apple.

If we don't, who will?

Billy Boo Bob · Oct 9, 2007, 09:05 PM

Anyone know how to tell what adapters they're on about? My sister just brought home a shiny new hi-rez MBP 17 and it has an adapter in it... But I don't know if it's different or not since I've never seen an "old" one.

She has an A1222 model number.

Oct 9, 2007, 06:43 PM	#2
dizastor macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Los Angeles	no love for the regular macbook I had my adapter replaced under warranty due to premature fraying. __________________ ejc on Twitter

Oct 9, 2007, 06:49 PM	#4
Ja Di ksw macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2003	Why is Apple so bad at making power adaptors for their portables? I know of so many people who have had broken ones despite taking good care of them. One of my own started sparking(!), and the one they gave me to replace it with has to be rotated a certain way or the power will cut out. My girlfriend's is fraying right at the plug, and my friend's is breaking at the connection to the brick. The reviews of them on Apple's website are horrible. Get with it, Apple! __________________ Fetch Daddy's blue fright wig! I must be handsome when I unleash my rage.

Oct 9, 2007, 06:50 PM	#5
MattG macrumors 68030 Join Date: May 2003	Yep...I ordered one almost a week ago -- said 2-3 weeks backorder. I just wanted a spare, but maybe they'll recall all of them so I can get my original one replaced. Right now it's working fine, but it does worry me when I read stories about frayed wires and whatever. Attached Thumbnails

Oct 9, 2007, 06:50 PM	#6
NewSc2 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA	I haven't seen any issues with mine or any of my friends' Macbooks or Macbook Pros (gotta be at least a dozen total). It's shown the wrong LED light a couple times, but that's a couple out of a few hundred times I'd looked at it. __________________ Mac Pro + 30" ACD, 15" MBP, iPhone 3GS Logic & Ableton user Canon 40D + 17-55 f/2.8 IS

Oct 9, 2007, 07:22 PM	#11
burn808 macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2007	Another redesign?? Unbelievable. Only just bought the latest version because the old version was too big.Must admit that I haven't had any problems with either but those pics are really worrying - no house fires please....

Oct 9, 2007, 06:48 PM	#3
longofest Demi-God (Editor) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Falls Church, VA	I'm honestly surprised why a recall hasn't been issued for this yet. People are apt to debate whether or not people are being too tough on their cords or not, but the fact still remains that a short happened, and the built-in circuit breaker did not activate to prevent the plastic from melting and a fire hazard from forming. At the very least, it seems to me like there is a problem with the circuit breaker, if not remaining issues with how the insulation is constructed.

Oct 9, 2007, 07:22 PM	#12
Digital Skunk macrumors 68040 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Primarily in my Head	Why not a redesigned MacBook Pro? Come on Apple give me something to spend my money on! __________________ What do I have?, stuff that I actually use for work! Some old, some new, all effective.

Oct 9, 2007, 07:25 PM	#13
flopticalcube macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2006	Keep trying Apple. Maybe this time you'll get it right. __________________ iThink therefore iAm.

Oct 9, 2007, 07:37 PM	#14
Mgkwho macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cleveland (Home) Chicago (School)	Yeah, I noticed the LED light not working for me all the time either. Earlier this year the cord almost frayed. Maybe this time I'll get the newly designed "smaller" version. -=\|Mgkwho __________________ MacBook Pro 17"

Oct 9, 2007, 07:59 PM	#15
joshwest macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2005	yeah my new mbp 2.4 was a missng its adapter i called to see if they would send one out and it been 3 weeks. they said they wouldnt be sent out for 4-5 weeks so hopefully soon ill get a new one. __________________ iMac 27" 2.8 i7 8GB 2TB 15" MacBook Pro Uni 2.8 .tunes. iPod Classic 160G & iPhone 3GS 32GB

Oct 9, 2007, 08:03 PM	#16
puuukeey macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: tristate area	will they ever get it right? I've had so many of these things go on me...

Oct 9, 2007, 08:23 PM	#19
kvasir macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2007	My MBP power adapter frayed near the MagSafe port a while back. It was fine for a while and started to look brown and I started to smell something burning. Got up a few seconds later to get something out of the oven and the whole thing had melted and had exposed the wiring. Took it to the Apple store and the genius said "Sorry, can't do anything about it. You can buy a new one." I told him how this could have set fire to my apartment and how it literally just sits around on a desk and hardly ever gets moved. After a few minutes of bickering about how I had AppleCare and how this is a safety hazard, he went to the back and got me a new power adapter. It's "the last one I'm getting" were his words. Glad to see it's a little more widespread. My new one hasn't given me trouble, but if there is a recall, I'll welcome a new one! Attached Thumbnails

Oct 9, 2007, 08:23 PM	#20
Mac Fly (film) macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ireland	Nice to see this, but about damn time. __________________ Mac touch FTW!

Oct 9, 2007, 08:34 PM	#21
Stang68 macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA	I bought my MBP in June but havent had any problems with my power adaptor. The only problem is that it is HUGE compared to the new "smaller" ones. You guys think they will do a recall and I will be able to get a new one? __________________ 15" Uni-Body MBP, 4GB iPod Nano, 16GB iPod Touch 2G Blackberry Tour 9630

Oct 9, 2007, 08:43 PM	#22
ginoledesma macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philippines	The fraying isn't unique to the MagSafe adapters, though. The adapters during the iBook G3/G4 era were prone to that also. At least there were cheaper alternatives to consider (e.g. MacAlly). The MagSafe adapters have been the most defect-prone, though. The first round it was about melting strips, as well as "buzzing" it generated when plugged in. At least they're doing something to correct this. But I think a recall will only be issued if this has gotten critical mass.

Oct 9, 2007, 09:05 PM	#25
Billy Boo Bob macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Dark Side Of The Moon	How to tell... Anyone know how to tell what adapters they're on about? My sister just brought home a shiny new hi-rez MBP 17 and it has an adapter in it... But I don't know if it's different or not since I've never seen an "old" one. She has an A1222 model number.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode