MacBook Charger Teardown Highlights Dangers of Counterfeit Adapters

[steve62388]

No no no!

Such deals are a surefire way to get counterfeits. There are no great deals on originals. Retail margins are too low. If its even 20% off, be very suspicious.

If it says "bulk packaging" (and it does!), stay the hell away. Apple doesn't sell them in bulk. But counterfeiters want to avoid the expensive trouble of faking the packaging. But some still do, so everything other than big retailers is kinda risky.

I personally don't mind cheaper 3rd party alternatives. But if the manufacturer tries to deceive or is too ashamed to put their own name on the box, I don't trust them with my life.

That was my thought too. I have read a number of articles about charger problems and when they have bothered to mention it they have all told me that Apple does not supply bulk packaged products.
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It's just plain wrong to call every charger that isn't OEM "counterfeit". I mean, seriously, if you replace your car stereo with an aftermarket model, is that a "counterfeit" car stereo? If you upgrade your RAM with a brand that Apple doesn't use, is that "counterfeit" RAM? You are undermining the entire 3rd party market, and in fact the very concept of competition, by framing the conversation in this way, and that's not good for the industry. I realize that people have a degree of love for Apple that blinds them to common sense, but if you think about it for two seconds, it's dumb to hand over $80 to Apple out of fear and simply because that's what they want you to do.

The only time a charger is actually counterfeit is if it claims to be an Apple-brand charger, which quality 3rd party chargers do not do. And most of the crappy ones don't either.

There are LOTS of good 3rd party chargers out there. I buy hundreds a month for my business, and the defect rate is very close to Apple's. Sure, if you buy the cheapest one you can find on eBay, chances are it's going to have a high failure rate. But if you have relationships in China with quality manufacturers, or at the very least deal with suppliers who care enough to buy quality parts, then you'll be in good shape.

The only chargers I have ever seen for sale are clearly masquerading as Apple chargers trying to fool unwitting buyers. I'm guessing they exist but I have never seen a black one for example. This is why they are considered counterfeit.

The worry is that in every tear down I have seen the counterfeiters take short cuts with safety and these chargers would not pass safety standards. Given you know that and still take the risk with your business I wonder if you could be prosecuted or sued in the event of a fire or death?
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I wouldn't consider $80 to be in the realm of rich people, especially when the computer costs well over $1,000. If the thought of possibly needing to replace the charger for 80 bucks at some point is daunting, you probably shouldn't be spending the cash on a Mac.

It's not about the $80 (a lot more expensive in the UK, BTW), it's that Apple has chosen to produce something with such an obvious design flaw. You may never have had a problem with fraying, but countless bad reviews, complaints all over the internet (us talking about it now, yet again) and third party products to fix it shows that there is a problem.

Apple uses the same rubber on iPhone cables and they suffer the same fate. I have long used third party iPhone cables and they are far superior to Apple's. I just would like to see an equivalent MFI program for MacBook chargers so I can take my business elsewhere with confidence that I'm not going to get electrocuted.
[doublepost=1458583407][/doublepost]

Manufacturers of counterfeit Apple products often go to great lengths to make their knock-offs look genuine, which brings the added risk of concealing potentially dangerous flaws in substituted electrical components.

In the past we've covered the efforts manufacturers go to when counterfeiting iPhone and iPad chargers, courtesy of product teardowns on Ken Shirrif's technology blog. Now, a new post on Shirrif's site offers a detailed teardown and analysis of the differences between a counterfeit MacBook charger and a genuine unit, providing a great example of how cosmetic similarities can hide major safety defects.

A counterfeit MagSafe 45W charger (left) and a genuine 60W charger (right).​

Shirrif notes that counterfeit chargers he's examined in the past have usually had external flaws that give them away, but that this latest MacBook charger knock-off almost had him fooled, too.
Only when Shirrif cracks open the charger are the differences laid bare. A real Apple charger is packed full of complex circuitry, but the counterfeit contains a fairly low density board that uses a simpler power supply with a dangerously small isolation gap between the AC input and the low-voltage output.

Shirrif also identifies a distinct lack of insulation tape between the two voltages on the circuit board, a metal grounding pin not connected to anything, and a fluctuating power output. See his post for the full comparison.

Three years ago, a Chinese woman was electrocuted by a counterfeit charger while charging her iPhone, highlighting the significant dangers these products pose to consumers. Users who suspect they have a counterfeit charger can take part in Apple's third-party charger takeback program to safely dispose of the adapters.

Article Link: MacBook Charger Teardown Highlights Dangers of Counterfeit Adapters

Hey MacRumors,

That takeback program you link to in the article applies to iPhone chargers.

And it expired in 2013.

 

[Doc C]

And so is building an adapter that is so complicated that you want to charge $80. Engineers Gone Wild.

Several analyses have suggested that the OEM adapters (for iPhone/iPad as well as for laptops) have a much more stable and effective voltage regulator, thus (from my understanding) being less likely to cause damage to the device's electronics.

And before someone suggests that I am an apple fanboy, the last report I saw suggested that the Samsung adapter was the best of the ones tested, with Apples ranking ahead of only the counterfeits, and not the Samsung, HP, or other major manufacturer. The conclusion of the report was not that Apple's adapters are bad, but that the others are simply that good. I can't recall price comparisons at present, but from what I recall, the units tested all came in at about a similar price range (though I think Apple's was the priciest by a small amount).

I will try to locate the link and edit this post to include it.

 

[Zen5656]

Several analyses have suggested that the OEM adapters (for iPhone/iPad as well as for laptops) have a much more stable and effective voltage regulator, thus (from my understanding) being less likely to cause damage to the device's electronics.

And before someone suggests that I am an apple fanboy, the last report I saw suggested that the Samsung adapter was the best of the ones tested, with Apples ranking ahead of only the counterfeits, and not the Samsung, HP, or other major manufacturer. The conclusion of the report was not that Apple's adapters are bad, but that the others are simply that good. I can't recall price comparisons at present, but from what I recall, the units tested all came in at about a similar price range (though I think Apple's was the priciest by a small amount).

I will try to locate the link and edit this post to include it.

yes please

 

[Hackcrew42]

What do you people do to your chargers? Seriously?

I've only had one magsafe charger go bad in the history of my using them, back in 2007. Even then it was a known defect at the time; the springs that push the pins out failed. The cable itself was fine.

I've had my current chargers ever since then, and never has one broken since. I also see people who go through lightning cables like water; they break all the time for them, whereas I still have my original lightning cables going back to my iPhone 5 three years ago.

I suspect most people are really rough with their chargers. I treat my stuff with care. Maybe ya'll should too?

-I think there are definitely people out there who use and abuse their cables a lot but there are definitely ways to go through cables faster than 5 years. Are you moving your computer around a lot from place to place, having to plug into really poorly placed outlets, etc. I usually am able to make 1 MagSafe charger work for the life of each MacBook Pro I buy (~5 years before I upgrade) but there are times I've had to purchase another. Some people plug in their charger and never move it, or only move it around their house. But if you take it with you often and fold it up and put it in a bag like I do, no matter how careful you are it does tire out the rubber much quicker, sometimes beyond its ability.

 

[kolax]

1, I don't understand people going cheap
2, apple care covers replacements
3, the new rMB charger with USB-c solves most the issues as you just replace the cable.

Points 1 and 2 - not everyone can afford it.

Point 3 - not really, as there are dangerous cheap USB-C chargers out there too.

 

[Gav2k]

Points 1 and 2 - not everyone can afford it.

Point 3 - not really, as there are dangerous cheap USB-C chargers out there too.

If your going to spend on a decent machine then don't cheap out on power adapters it's not rocket science.

 

[Max(IT)]

You should have complainers on this forums read this kind of articles, especially when they complain about Apple 's prices on accessories.

 

[kolax]

If your going to spend on a decent machine then don't cheap out on power adapters it's not rocket science.

It was more a general comment about cheap power adapters regardless of how expensive the device is, given the iPhone electrocution was mentioned in the OP.

 

[ajsahi9211]

Manufacturers of counterfeit Apple products often go to great lengths to make their knock-offs look genuine, which brings the added risk of concealing potentially dangerous flaws in substituted electrical components.

In the past we've covered the efforts manufacturers go to when counterfeiting iPhone and iPad chargers, courtesy of product teardowns on Ken Shirrif's technology blog. Now, a new post on Shirrif's site offers a detailed teardown and analysis of the differences between a counterfeit MacBook charger and a genuine unit, providing a great example of how cosmetic similarities can hide major safety defects.

A counterfeit MagSafe 45W charger (left) and a genuine 60W charger (right).​

Shirrif notes that counterfeit chargers he's examined in the past have usually had external flaws that give them away, but that this latest MacBook charger knock-off almost had him fooled, too.
Only when Shirrif cracks open the charger are the differences laid bare. A real Apple charger is packed full of complex circuitry, but the counterfeit contains a fairly low density board that uses a simpler power supply with a dangerously small isolation gap between the AC input and the low-voltage output.

Shirrif also identifies a distinct lack of insulation tape between the two voltages on the circuit board, a metal grounding pin not connected to anything, and a fluctuating power output. See his post for the full comparison.

Three years ago, a Chinese woman was electrocuted by a counterfeit charger while charging her iPhone, highlighting the significant dangers these products pose to consumers. Users who suspect they have a counterfeit charger can take part in Apple's third-party charger takeback program to safely dispose of the adapters.

Article Link: MacBook Charger Teardown Highlights Dangers of Counterfeit Adapters

amazing
[doublepost=1458735916][/doublepost]amazing as apple is my favorite company ant it will grow up and up with variety of technology hope this invention get high rank.

 

[DoctorTech]

Apple's version looks vastly superior compared to the knockoff but the problem is, they are just as faulty. I've personally replaced 4 power adapters in the last 3 years. Consider me unlucky, but I never had to replace any power cords on any other laptops I've owned. I didn't mind it so much until the Applecare ran out, then you have to pay retail for replacements. I love the design of the magsafe (having small children), but it definitely needs improvement on reliability.

I've been fortunate, between me and my family we have 4 MacBooks (2 from 2011 and 2 from 2013) and all are still using their original chargers.

 

[MrAverigeUser]

Aside from heating up enormously, the ORIGINAL charger is UNRELIABLE.
Not due to the transformation-Unit itself, but the low voltage cables.

It is a shame that these low-voltage cables are NOT EXCHANGEABLE, as some others here stated already.
These low-voltage cables of the Macbook/Pro/air chargers are bad design:

the outer isolation is not as resistant as it HAS TO BE - and the ridiculous coaxial-type of cable is not well done:Coaxial cables are NORMALLY more stiff. This is so for a good reason: If you bent the cable, (even if you do in a very appropriate way) the enormous forces on the outer copper-fibres will rupture.

Another dangerous problem is the FACT, that the outer isolation is mostly NOT correctly used as a protection against pull-forces as demanded by European law: The outer isolation has to be fixed itself in the housing to prevent pull-forces on the copper fibres itselfs - but it has sorted out of the charger housing in most of the chargers I use.

This is clearly a case of "form over function"-madness á la Jony Ive…. and bean-counting unrespectfull "controllers" on the cost-side.

So the landfilling with many millions of electronic/electric apple-garbage will go on - a crime to environment and at high costs for the customers.

BTW same for the (luckily exchangeable) low-voltage cables for all IOS-devices: they are made in the same bad design and rupture as well soon.

I replaced most of them by WELL_DONE and RELIABLE THIRD PARTY CABLES by Belkin and Lindy. They last forever, are even a bit cheaper, because Belkin and Lindy (and shurely some other 3rd party products) engineers and designers use their brain correctly when designing cables.

As for "apple chargers are safe" : Why then they had some recall campaigns of several types of chargers? Even the overpriced apple-chargers are sometimes dangerous...

 

[deeddawg]

If your going to spend on a decent machine then don't cheap out on power adapters it's not rocket science.

Wait, what? You mean I shouldn't put $60 tires on my $80,000 BMW and head for the twisty mountain roads??

 

[Gav2k]

Wait, what? You mean I shouldn't put $60 tires on my $80,000 BMW and head for the twisty mountain roads??

$30 remoulds would be better. That said if you can get run flats for that price that's a bargain lol

 

[Doc C]

...

It is a shame that these low-voltage cables are NOT EXCHANGEABLE, as some others here stated already.
These low-voltage cables of the Macbook/Pro/air chargers are bad design:

the outer isolation is not as resistant as it HAS TO BE - and the ridiculous coaxial-type of cable is not well done:Coaxial cables are NORMALLY more stiff. This is so for a good reason: If you bent the cable, (even if you do in a very appropriate way) the enormous forces on the outer copper-fibres will rupture.

(snip...)

BTW same for the (luckily exchangeable) low-voltage cables for all IOS-devices: they are made in the same bad design and rupture as well soon.

...

No question that this is true of the Apple design.

I am curious - how many people have been able to exchange the 30-pin or Lightning cables? I have tried taking them back in and have repeatedly been told that they will just throw it out (not even recycle), and then get directed to the overpriced cables on the shelf...

I have taken to ordering bunches of 10 of the Amazon cables (I forget the name off-hand) as they are about the same quality but much less expensive. And they come in black.
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yes please

In response to the request for links to info regarding counterfeit and off-brand chargers, I wasn't able to find the original article(s) I recall, however I was able to find these:

Counterfeit Macbook charger teardown: convincing outside but dangerous inside

A dozen USB chargers in the lab: Apple is very good, but not quite the best

Tiny, cheap, and dangerous: Inside a (fake) iPhone charger

Apple iPhone charger teardown: quality in a tiny expensive package

Hope the links work and that the information is useful - please let me know if the information is incorrect or suspect in any way as this is outside of my field of expertise, and so I have to rely on others to guide me.

 

[Gav2k]

No question that this is true of the Apple design.

I am curious - how many people have been able to exchange the 30-pin or Lightning cables? I have tried taking them back in and have repeatedly been told that they will just throw it out (not even recycle), and then get directed to the overpriced cables on the shelf...

I have taken to ordering bunches of 10 of the Amazon cables (I forget the name off-hand) as they are about the same quality but much less expensive. And they come in black.
[doublepost=1458851874][/doublepost]

In response to the request for links to info regarding counterfeit and off-brand chargers, I wasn't able to find the original article(s) I recall, however I was able to find these:

Counterfeit Macbook charger teardown: convincing outside but dangerous inside

A dozen USB chargers in the lab: Apple is very good, but not quite the best

Tiny, cheap, and dangerous: Inside a (fake) iPhone charger

Apple iPhone charger teardown: quality in a tiny expensive package

Hope the links work and that the information is useful - please let me know if the information is incorrect or suspect in any way as this is outside of my field of expertise, and so I have to rely on others to guide me.

Re 30 pin and lightning cables I've only had one of each replaced (ones I use in car) as usually I use docks to charge but anyway... Having apple care on the device always helps.

 

[MrAverigeUser]

In our family there are now THREE original apple-MBP-chargers with defective low-voltage-parts:
two of the crappy cables are broken and one mac"safe" connector doesn´t work any more…

As for the ones that did not yet fail: I reinforced the critical parts with strong gaffer tape - perhaps they will last longer and fail later than the others...
So - normally I´d have to pay an impressing 270 EURO (3 new 85W chargers) for apple´s design flaws… but I bought some replacement low-voltage cables and will repair them for 30 Euro all together - instead of participating landfilling with apple´s crappy chargers because they behave like little childs and refuse to design the chargers with exchangeable low-voltage-cables.

Luckily the cables are broken some centimeters out from the charger - so I have not even to crack the glued housing but only cut the old cable and solder the replacement-cable.

it´s nevertheless a shame apple doesn´t change the design although there is evidence about the bad design with its embarrassing consequences for the customers...

 

[gnasher729]

1, I don't understand people going cheap
2, apple care covers replacements
3, the new rMB charger with USB-c solves most the issues as you just replace the cable.

That would be my complaint, that it is impossible (for someone not trained to do it) to replace the cables on the Apple charger.
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If you have money for a ~ 1000+ $ Macbook then 80 bucks shouldn't be problem for you

Well, that argument is nonsense. I want value for money. If I'm willing to pay $1,000 for a Macbook that doesn't mean I'm willing to be $1,080 for a MacBook with a replacement charger.
[doublepost=1458905803][/doublepost]

Spend $1000 upwards for a computer but too miserable to get a secondary backup AC Adapter - sounds like people don' care about their safety or the safety of their system.

When I'm paying $1,000 for a laptop there should be no need to pay for a second AC adapter.

 

[gnasher729]

And so is building an adapter that is so complicated that you want to charge $80. Engineers Gone Wild.

If you read the article, "engineers gone wild" make sure the Apple charger delivers its 15 volts only when it's plugged into a Mac, not when it isn't connected yet. The charger examined delivered 15 volts all the time, for example when you touch it with your fingers.

 

[Marx55]

Apple whatever is good; even great (like the Mac), but 2 to 3 times overpriced. As an example, just look prices of RAM and SSD on Apple Store and the very same make/model from manufacturer or sites like Amazon. Not fair, Apple.

 

[CarlJ]

If you read the article, "engineers gone wild" make sure the Apple charger delivers its 15 volts only when it's plugged into a Mac, not when it isn't connected yet. The charger examined delivered 15 volts all the time, for example when you touch it with your fingers.

Indeed. Is Apple gear high priced? Well, sure, it has a very healthy (for Apple) profit margin. They use some of that profit to fund R&D, software development (everyone else is using off-the-shelf software from Google or Microsoft), and good support. I have had a number of very pleasant experiences with Apple Support, things like them cheerfully replacing an iPad with a cracked screen (entirely my fault) several months after my AppleCare on it expired, just because they're nice (no arm twisting on my part, I went in and said, "I cracked the screen yesterday, my fault, and my AppleCare ran out a couple months ago - I'm here to find out what my options are.")

People see the thing that Apple makes that's really carefully engineered, and expensive, and then they see a cheap knockoff of it that _looks_ the same, from some mystery company, and they buy the cheap one and smugly pat themselves on the back for "saving" money.

I recall some engineers from an asian manufacturing company looked at the design for one of the Apple MacBook Pros, which has like 60 screws securing the keyboard (making it incredibly solid to type on). And the engineers said, with an air of superiority, "if you sent us this design to manufacture, we would redesign it to only use 12 screws." And Apple's response, without missing a beat was, "And that is exactly why you will never manufacture anything for us."

 

[ArmCortexA8]

If you are paying thousands for a computer you should always have a backup AC adapter in the event one dies. Never rely just on one.

 

[laszlo182]

Well, that argument is nonsense. I want value for money. If I'm willing to pay $1,000 for a Macbook that doesn't mean I'm willing to be $1,080 for a MacBook with a replacement charger.

That sounds like you think 1000 for a notebook is a value for money. 80 for a charger is same overpriced tag as 1000 is for a notebook.
[doublepost=1459418922][/doublepost]

Apple has around $200 billion in cash. Charging less than $79 for their chargers shouldn't be a problem for them.

Shouldn't, actually wouldn't. But if you could, why wouln't you? People are gonna buy it anyway => more $ in cash!

 

[rgraf]

Have you tried macbookadapters.com ? They advertise genuine adapters. I bought one from them to commute. Works fine. Had it for several years now. Paid half the price.

No no no!

Such deals are a surefire way to get counterfeits. There are no great deals on originals. Retail margins are too low. If its even 20% off, be very suspicious.

If it says "bulk packaging" (and it does!), stay the hell away. Apple doesn't sell them in bulk. But counterfeiters want to avoid the expensive trouble of faking the packaging. But some still do, so everything other than big retailers is kinda risky.

I personally don't mind cheaper 3rd party alternatives. But if the manufacturer tries to deceive or is too ashamed to put their own name on the box, I don't trust them with my life.

 

[steve62388]

Have you tried macbookadapters.com ? They advertise genuine adapters. I bought one from them to commute. Works fine. Had it for several years now. Paid half the price.

They're not genuine, Apple don't sell their power adapters onto other companies (although I wish they would). It looks like the owner of your macbookadapters site has already done a runner.

 

[rgraf]

They're not genuine, Apple don't sell their power adapters onto other companies (although I wish they would). It looks like the owner of your macbookadapters site has already done a runner.

Where did you get this information? They're still up and running, and still claiming genuine Apple.