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Doesn't Apple's PB Power Supply Suck?

kjwebb said:
One crazy thing about my iBooks power adapter is that the plug that connects straight onto the power adapter, it has no earth, just the standard Australian (as I am Australian) / \ type plug.

The extension lead has an earth with and the
/ \
.|

Plug style (I did the text illiustrations for those who don't know what the Australian power plugs look like).

Interesting that Apple only added the earth on the extension lead.

BTW. The sparking sound doesn't always exist when I plug the adapter in, it usually happens when the iBook is on.
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The earth plug on the actual 'brick' is there- remove the plug that goes to the wall, ground is hooked up to the metal 'button' part of the brick that the plug connects to.

ajmbc
 
Celeron said:
I'm not sure what your issues are with your power supply but I have none of the problems you mention. To speak to your first suggestion, my power supply came with an extra cord that easily swaps out with the wall plug transforming the power supply into the design you seem to want. Its plugs into the wall like any cord, the power supply ends up in the middle. No hanging from the wall problems, no sparking, none of that.
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Yup, I forgot about this cord. Thanks for pointing it out. Unfortunately, I think I may have put all those extra cables in storage and so I won't be able to get them until I fly back to Chicago in August.

Celeron said:
I have never had any problems with the wall mount plug and it falling out of the wall or the prongs becoming loose and exacerbating the problem. In fact I've often used the power supply completely upside down it hasn't fallen out.
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Maybe it's just mine. I might take it to an Apple store and show the guys there. It's not so much a question of it falling out. Rather, it just becomes loose and loses contact.

Celeron said:
No sparking problems here either. Have you tried plugging it in before you have it connected to the PB? I've never heard nor seen a spark from my power supply.
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Yup. I don't think it made any difference.

Celeron said:
Do you have old outlets in your house?
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Nope, the house was built two years ago.

Celeron said:
Sorry if I seem a little heavy handed here, but the suggestions you are making are already in existence. I'll take a picture of my power supply tonight so you can see the extension cable.
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No problem. Thanks for taking the time to help.
 
i too have the sparking problem. I have Applecare so I have had a new power plug sent to me 4 times so far. All spark on any number of plug types, etc. I am concerned for both the longevity of the laptop and the firehazard. I have seen on the Apple boards that sparking is a major problem.

I have seen a number of G4 iBooks that spark as well. its quick on all of them, but you can see it. So, now I plug it into a powerstrip that is off, and use the button to energize. No sparks, but an extra step and not conduscive to travel.
 
what revision is your powerbook? i own a Rev C 12" and the power supply is perfect. I was actually impressed with the build quality, slim form factor, and extend-a-cable functionality. it never comes loose from the wall, no sparking, and works 100% so far (without using the extended cabling). I live in Chicago, I could pick up the cable for you if you really need it?

sorry to hear about your problems id send it back.
 
If it's just a spark as you plug it in or pull the plug out, its nothing to be worried about. That happens on a lot of things when you plug them in. If you're really worried about computer damage just plug the wall end in before the computer end.
 
BrianKonarsMac said:
what revision is your powerbook? i own a Rev C 12" and the power supply is perfect. I was actually impressed with the build quality, slim form factor, and extend-a-cable functionality. it never comes loose from the wall, no sparking, and works 100% so far (without using the extended cabling). I live in Chicago, I could pick up the cable for you if you really need it?

sorry to hear about your problems id send it back.
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Mine's a Rev B...I bought it about a month before the C's came out. ;) I really appreciate the gesture Brian, and I would take you upon that if I was going to do much traveling with the 'book while in Charlotte. But it's really no problem. My set up in my room is working pretty well and I'll probably go the Apple Store this weekend and try to get my power supply replaced. I have AppleCare, so it should be no hassle. Thanks again, though! I'm always impressed by the generosity of the people on these boards.

JonBoy: Thanks for the link! I'll check it out...Glad...or maybe not glad, to see that I'm not alone.
 
kjwebb said:
One crazy thing about my iBooks power adapter is that the plug that connects straight onto the power adapter, it has no earth, just the standard Australian (as I am Australian) / \ type plug.

The extension lead has an earth with and the
/ \
.|
BTW. The sparking sound doesn't always exist when I plug the adapter in, it usually happens when the iBook is on.
Click to expand...

First, the power-brick is easily the best designed adapter around, it is small and relatively light. It has the cool light at the end that shows either green or orange depending on whether it's charging or not. Apple gives you an extra piece which I used to wrap behind my desk so I don't have to hunt for it. And then they create the adapter kit, so not only can you use your iBook, Powerbook or iPod overseas you can see the absolutely monsterous plugs that the Aussies have to deal with. That thing looks like something is trying to eat my iPod's powerbrick. ;)
The sparking thing is omnimous, but also harmless and you can get rid of it by plugging the adapter to the wall and then plugging in the computer.
Also, to keep the ends from straining against the weight of the brick can't you just flip the adapter around so that the largest section rests against the wall? This is what I also do.
 
Sparking is normal for any electrical plug that has a poor connection. The two prongs on the "brick" are made to plug into a power strip that sits on the ground. For wall hanging plugs, use the supplied cord with the power brick. This will stop the sparking.
 
It's kind of funny to read this rant. Whenever people ask me why I like using Macs one of the reasons I give is their great design work. The example I usually give is the Powerbook power adapter. It's truly a thing of wonder to me. The compactness, the built-in hooks for storing the cable, the removable plug design, it's all good....
 
Even after I read the whole rant . . . .

I still believe the ibook/pbook adaptor to be the best designed one on the market. No one else has put anywhere near the consideration into the details on powerbrick design that apple has. I can't really think of any other company that provides the option of two ways to plug the brick in, a means to wrap the cord (and secure it), sleek looks and a nice size, and that nifty charge / charging light. Pretty much everything else on the market is a big black brick with two absurdly heavy cords coming out of it.

About the problems with sparking, I have yet to see those, but am in the practice of plugging in the adaptor first, and then the ibook. (and I don't use the cord regularly as I carry my laptop around everyday.)

For those that do have problems: sorry. However, I still think its a brilliant design. . . .
 
nobody is really disputing the fact that the apple power adapters are a brilliant design. I mean, they look fantastic. however, it must be said. the reliability and build quality leaves a lot to be desired.
 
mkrishnan said:
iChan, I signed your petition. Thanks for making the effort. Although I have not yet had a PS failure, I wouldn't mind seeing an improvement....
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thanks for signing the petition. every little helps.
 
NO Problems with mine whatsoever, actually i love the powerbook powersupply, i leave the long cable plugged in at home and just wrap up the cable along the hinges and plug in the mini power adapter and travel with it, when i come back in the evening, i just unplug the mini, snap in the long cable and there instant power, it really is convenient. SOrry about your trouble, just take it back to apple and ask/demand a new one.


themadchemist said:
Hey all. I'm here to complain about Apple, the industry leader in industrial design.

Apple's had some of the most innovative, utilitarian designs ever seen in the arena of personal computing.

However, has anyone seen a Powerbook power supply? Of course you have, and if you're like me, you've wept.

It's bulky in all the wrong places. When you plug it in, it sags under its own weight. Every time I plug it in, it sparks. In the past, I've also had mixed results with various outlets. I have to plug it in a couple of times, jiggle it around, and whatnot to get it to actually transmit the current to my Powerbook. And often, it will eventually spontaneously stop charging. Usually, it ends up losing the contact, begins sparking, and then stops carrying the current.

"Fortunately," the sparking is usually not visible, but rather that loud and foreboding sparking noise. It still doesn't make me feel too comfortable, of course.

Now, my power supply won't even charge the Powerbook if simply plugged into a wall. It can only make a loose contact. Therefore, I have plugged into the wall and jammed it tightly between the wall and a big amplifier I have, just to force it to stay in place. This has been quite successful, but it kind of defeats the purpose of having a mobile device. I'm planning to go to the Apple Store and getting them to replace it. It might be that mine is more defective than most, but I can't help thinking that this is chiefly the result of some critical design flaws.

1) As I alluded to above, the region near the plug is too heavy. Apple should have just put a plug there followed by wire that led to the heavier component. This way, the plug wouldn't sag as a result of the weight of the other component. If you'll notice, almost every other power supply is made in this fashion. All it requires is a simple translocation.

2) Taking my suggestion in one would fix this other problem, but it too is a flaw. That the plug swivels so that it can be returned to a position "within" the square when not being used seems ok, but it actually complicates matters. After regular use, that joint becomes loose. This only exacerbates the problem of losing contact under heavy weight.

Has anyone else had problems? Does anyone know of third-party makers of compatible power supplies? Apple has this proprietary input that precludes using any old equal-voltage power supply.

Plus, I kind of wanted to rant.
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would you guys rather want this?

L930906.jpg
 
7on said:
would you guys rather want this?
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Come now...if we held Apple to the standards of the PC world, we could've all bought Dells. :p

Seriously, the power supply was one of the things I adored when I first got my iBook. Like I said in my previous post, I signed iChan's petition but I have not had this issue myself. I think its a lovely design, and hands-down the best idea in power brick design I've seen on a notebook. OTOH, this issue with fraying cords at one or both ends does not seem to be so isolated. Others have complained about it in other threads. I think Apple is a big enough boy to take the criticism and improve the PS. At least I'd hope so. And that's what I'd like to see. I don't think they deserve to be berated too much -- there's worse out there, but that isn't an excuse.

I routinely buy on good design concept over build quality....but that doesn't mean I'm blind to issues of build quality.
 
7on said:
Personally I thing his house wiring is at fault.
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Agreed, having so many fail in one place in such a short amount of time is highly suspicious.

I've had one running for almost two and a half years without a problem, and have a few friends with elderly power bricks that work perfectly. I think Apple finally got the design right with the white square power supply.
 
7on said:
Personally I thing his house wiring is at fault.
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no, it is most certainly not... I have a Fellowes surge protector and and it is always plugged into it...

also, the two chargers didn't break in the same place. One was in boarding school and the other at home... the third is about to die it seems and it is also at home...
 
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