Macbook Pro 87 watt charger fake?

[robotica]

Hello


I have picked up a second power supply for my MacBook Pro 13" 2020. It was a 87 watt model from 2016. I know this will work fine with my 13" and it will only take the power it needs.


Problem is, when I got into system information and click power and scroll down (when this second hand 87w PSU is connected) it does not show the manufacturer as apple, there is also no serial number. (please see attached pic)


As I am only recently back into macs after a couple of years away, I am not sure how long apple has been displaying the serial number in the power section but I am guessing its ever since these USB C chargers have launched.


Can someone with a 2016 model of charger check what it looks like when they charge in system information?


What are your thoughts on this? The thing looks 100% real. All the spelling is correct and the correct shade. metal grounding pin looks authentic. I know this can all be faked and don't want to risk it if it is. Would rather return this and pay for one from apple directly but not if other apple chargers say the same thing.



Thanks for your help.

edit: using the original usb c charging cable that came with my 2020 MBP.

 

[Jar Jar Abrams]

You didn’t mention where you bought it from, if it was through amazon ie a third party but fulfilled by amazon then there’s a 99% chance it’s fake, always check on the seller info and see what else the 16 year old amazon affiliate is selling, if he’s selling canon camera batteries and tea towels then yeah its fake and is what is trending at China’s dhgate and aliexpress wholesale, amazon warehouses store millions of chinese (COVID-19) counterfeit goods for third parties and fulfills (ships) on their behalf, if you buy anything on amazon make sure it‘s sold by amazon.

 

[robotica]

It was bought from a ebay seller who was was selling a lot of refurbished stuff. He had several of these and all the feedback is positive, on these and for everything else he’s selling. mainly refurbished electronics. It’s clearly been used in the past.

 

[matram]

The charger cable may limit charging to 60W if it is not certified for higher load. Have you tried anothe cable?

 

[robotica]

I have tried 3 other cables and they all charge at 60w. I am not expecting it to charge any faster using the 87w one.
The main thing I am interested in is the serial number and manufacturer.
On my other 2 chargers this shows as apple charger and shows the serial number and manufacturer no matter what cable I am using. The chargers which show the serial numbers are 2019 and 2020 chargers, the 87w one is 2016.

The 61w charger that came with it shows its a 61w. Attached screenshot to show the difference (serial number masked)

I am leaning towards this is probably a counterfeit charger sadly, unless someone knows something I don’t.

Cheers

 

[matram]

Plugging in the 87W charger from my 16” into my 15” 2016 running Big Sur it shows only 60W charging. The system report is in swedish so I doubt it will help you much.

 

[robotica]

Plugging in the 87W charger from my 16” into my 15” 2016 running Big Sur it shows only 60W charging. The system report is in swedish so I doubt it will help you much.

What does it say under the manufacturer? Thanks 😊

 

[matram]

Nothing, in Big Sur there are only three entries in the system report under the AC charger info: Connected, Wattage and Charging. I have tried three different chargers, two Apple originals and one Satechi and there is no change in the amount of information displayed only the wattage.

 

[Audit13]

Nothing, in Big Sur there are only three entries in the system report under the AC charger info: Connected, Wattage and Charging. I have tried three different chargers, two Apple originals and one Satechi and there is no change in the amount of information displayed only the wattage.

Could it be that Big Sur is in beta at the moment?

I don't have a newer MacBook to test my theory.

 

[matram]

Could it be that Big Sur is in beta at the moment?

I don't have a newer MacBook to test my theory.

Could be, my two newer Macbooks, a 16” and an Air running Catalina both show the full detail with Apple as the manufacturer. But it looks peculiar to strip this informationout out of Big Sur if they intend to reintroduce it later?

 

[Audit13]

Could be, my two newer Macbooks, a 16” and an Air running Catalina both show the full detail with Apple as the manufacturer. But it looks peculiar to strip this informationout out of Big Sur if they intend to reintroduce it later?

Maybe they are tweaking the code so that it will run on ARM and x86?

 

[robotica]

its quite frustrating that there is no easy way to check on the apple website if the serial number matches an authentic one. I suppose it might be easy to decipher apples serial number system and generate false positives.
I wonder if they would be able to tell at an apple store?



 

[robotica]

Just a quick update. I have returned the suspect charger.