Anyone ever tried any of the other (non-Mac) options? I need a replacement and am suspicious that the off brands may not be as durable.
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Knock off power adapter
- Thread starter Slicksleek
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For?
I bought a $40 magsafe adapter for my wife's MBA recently off ebay. Externally, it's hard to tell if it's a knock-off or if it's rejected Apple stock. I mean it looks exactly like the one that came with her computer, except that the plastic casing doesn't fit flush at one seam. Works fine. Hope it's a reject rather than a copy.
I bought a $40 magsafe adapter for my wife's MBA recently off ebay. Externally, it's hard to tell if it's a knock-off or if it's rejected Apple stock. I mean it looks exactly like the one that came with her computer, except that the plastic casing doesn't fit flush at one seam. Works fine. Hope it's a reject rather than a copy.
Sorry, I thought I was in the Macbook Pro forum when I posted. I've found some that definitely look the same, but I figured they were all knock offs. Original lasted a long time, but got frayed where it meets the extension adapter. I may give it a crack and see it what happens. I just hate to drop $100 for a damn power cord.
I wouldn't trust or recommend any non-Apple battery or adapter, due to the number of problems reported with "knockoffs". Also, 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. To me, it's not worth risking your $2000 Mac to save a few dollars on a replacement battery or adapter, but the choice is yours.
Battery Service and RecyclingApple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters
The link below should answer most, if not all, of your battery/charging questions, including tips for maximizing battery performance. If you havent already done so, I highly recommend you take the time to read it. 
We've purchased some off brand MagSafe chargers at work before simply because they're much cheaper, about 1/5 the price. TBH I don't think the off brands are worth it. Cheap materials/build quality, they haven't lasted very long, and some even made some strange noises while plugged in and charging.. stick to official Apple chargers.
I don't know... I usually buy the cheapest thing I can find (whether it's clothes, electronics, laser toner, whatever...), but when it's for a computer that costs 1500-2000+, this is the exception, I'll pay for the "real deal."
--rob
--rob
This
or spend a few dollars and buy this to fix your old one.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=sugru
or spend a few dollars and buy this to fix your old one.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=sugru
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
THIS IS A GAAAAAME CHANGER WOW for real though, this is great! People are saying "dropping a few dollars is ok" but I'm sorry, I'm not in the position to drop 75$ on a power cord. There's no way in heck that Apple uses that amount of time/substrate to justify the price aside from a needless markup. (Correct me if I'm wrong, I just really want to know how they justify setting that price point so high, aside from just knowing people need them.)
This plastic stuff looks great! Have you used it, and does it work well?
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They justify their price point
By using the best components and insulating them well, this means they won't burn your house down and $75 is a small price to pay for that.... The knock offs really are very badly and often dangerously made.
Yes the Sugru is very good insulates perfectly and for splits and fraying (and many other uses) is a fantastic product.
By using the best components and insulating them well, this means they won't burn your house down and $75 is a small price to pay for that.... The knock offs really are very badly and often dangerously made.
Yes the Sugru is very good insulates perfectly and for splits and fraying (and many other uses) is a fantastic product.
Here
Get a bulk packaged OEM adapter and save a little cash. It's an actual Apple product. Other World Computing
Don't work for 'em, just a satisfied customer. They carry the other sizes, too, by the way.
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Also, if you have a spare adapter on hand, and leave it in one place, you won't wind up your adapters so much and you'll incur much less damage to them.
Get a bulk packaged OEM adapter and save a little cash. It's an actual Apple product. Other World Computing
Don't work for 'em, just a satisfied customer. They carry the other sizes, too, by the way.
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Also, if you have a spare adapter on hand, and leave it in one place, you won't wind up your adapters so much and you'll incur much less damage to them.
Idk if it's a small price to pay, but it is nice to know that it's safer than the alternatives. Still, it's at least a $40 markup. I could swing $30 or even $40 for a charger but $75 is just outrageous.
Thanks for the advice, though! I *almost* got one of the off brand chargers but as others have said, I just can't risk the possible home/computer damage from them.
All companies charge $60+ for their laptop chargers. Not sure how you get a $40 markup. Don't believe me? Here's Dell's adapter website:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...pplies&category_id=7682&redirect=1&redirect=2
I pulled up an old D380 which hasn't been made in years and they still want 69.99 for the charger.
Quality power supplies are expensive..... These aren't 5V USB chargers for gosh sakes!
I'll admit I'm hardly knowledgable about what it takes to make an adapter, but check this out:http://www.righto.com/2012/05/apple-iphone-charger-teardown-quality.html
It explains why it may be a liiiittle bit more expensive but the profit margin is still pretty redonkulous. Either way, I gotta' buy what I gotta' buy. Also it's an old article so there's that. His post about a knockoff charger is pretty horrifying too!