A "fake" magsafe, with a difference...

[Fishrrman]

Take a look at this obviously fake replacement charger for the MacBook and MacBook Pro 13" models:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=apple_magsafe_60w-_-9SIA7AX2U17313-_-Product

I'm wondering if anyone reading this has actually tried one of these.

I realize there are many "fake magsafes" out there -- but these are "knockoff" products that are designed to "look like" an Apple product and fake-out the buyer.

However, the charger above IS NOT one of those. It makes no attempt to represent itself as being an Apple charger, it's using what looks to be a power block that is more "standardized", for lack of a better term. That is to say, something of a "generic" charger, but with the "connector end" cloned to fit a MacBook.

Take a look at the actual connector, as well. Of course, it's a fake, but whoever put together this charger actually thought enough to include a plastic "collar" where the cord meets the connector, to offer more protection against flexing and breakage than the actual, bona-fide Apple product does!

These don't seem to be available in the USA, but must be ordered from a Chinese source.

The price is right.
I might order one of these for my 5-year-old MBPro (even though the original magsafe is still fine), just to see if it works...

 

[Skoal]

It makes me nervous buying from newegg. While they have some great deals, I've been burned by cheap stuff a few times. I ordered a life proof case from them for $35. A steal by Lifeproof standards. When it arrived it looked authentic and I went over ever inch of it. Turns out the door covering the charge port wouldn't seat right. It was hard to snap the phone shut inside and there was no tether for the audio plug which is normally included on these cases. My guess is they bought them as seconds that didn't pass the Lifeproof QC.

 

[nws0291]

Not worth it. Who knows the quality of that and what standards they are built to. That thing starts a fire and your insurance company finds out you have an uphill battle. Even worse if it's a shared dwelling with multiple units.

 

[Dark Void]

Interesting, although I probably wouldn't waste your money even just to try it. It could be dangerous as stated or cause power issues with your MBP.

On a similar note, I despise Newegg lately. It has been crawling and navigating their site in general makes me want to die alone.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I don't recall my spare coming from Newegg, but it's been 3 years, so it's possible. Mine looks identical to the one in the picture, and I've enjoyed it more than the one that came with my Mac. The magnet is stronger, and it just feels better.

 

[TheIguana]

I don't understand how people spend well over $1000 on a computer and then completely cheap out on the one component that could easily fry it...

 

[bunnspecial]

I've had good luck with Powerbook chargers that probably came out of the same factory.

The one thing I will note on the Powerbook chargers I've bought is that they lack the "ring" LED on genuine chargers(for folks who have never used a Powerbook, the ring LED does the same thing as the smaller LEDs on MagSafe). It appears as though this one has LEDs at least, and it actually appears to be built a bit better than the PB chargers I've tried.

With that said, the price isn't that different from a genuine charger, and as said I don't know if I'd want to take a chance. With a Powerbook, if I fry a DC inboard it's not a huge deal(to me) as I probably have a replacement or at least can come up with one cheap. I use genuine chargers, although do keep these generics around to throw in my backpack since Apple doesn't make Powerbook chargers anymore and I want to avoid wear and tear on mine.

I'll also comment that I keep my eyes open at flea markets, as I've picked up a couple of used genuine MagSafes cheap($15 or less). My last one was an 85W "T" type for $10, and it worked perfectly. I prefer the "T" type to the "L" type, and have been hording them(I'm using that particular 85W T type at this very moment on the 15" mid-2012 I'm typing from).

 

[MacInTO]

I get mine on eBay for about $20-$30. They are genuine Apple products. I've not had any issues so far.