Redesigned MacBook Pro Power Adapter Coming?

MagSafe Prob's

So I took my MBP SR to the Apple Store to get fixed due to this issue. My Power Adpt would turn off right when the laptop was finished charging. But the big issue with me was the laptop would no longer receive power from the adaptor when the light turned off. Now what was really weird I have two Power Adaptors and my primary would turn off right away and my "Spare" would take about 5 minutes to turn off. So after going to the Apple store they said it was not my power adaptors at all and it was my Logic board. So after replacing my Logic board and MagSafe port and a crucial internal power cable my spare power adaptor works great. But Apple did end up replacing my main power adaptor because it was "dead/faulty". Overall Apple seems to care about our issues and is more than willing to take care of us. So if you have the same issue make sure to take your MBP to the Apple store with ALL UPDATES installed!!!! :)
 
Ja Di ksw said:
Why is Apple so bad at making power adaptors for their portables? I know of so many people who have had broken ones despite taking good care of them. One of my own started sparking(!), and the one they gave me to replace it with has to be rotated a certain way or the power will cut out. My girlfriend's is fraying right at the plug, and my friend's is breaking at the connection to the brick. The reviews of them on Apple's website are horrible.

Get with it, Apple!
Click to expand...
I have to concur, I have owned various Mac laptops--several iBooks, a Ti Powerbook and now a Macbook. Every single one of them has had problems with the power connectors--primarily at the end that plugs into the computer. I've had to buy several replacement power supplies and not only are poorly designed but they are way overpriced. You'd think for as much as Apple charges for them that they'd be of better quality.

And I hoped this quality problem would be improved with the new MagSafe adapters, but I was wrong!! After owning my new Macbook for only a few months, the cable immediately after the MagSafe connector started melting! I took the power supply into an Apple store and it was replaced under warranty. Utterly ridiculous, and I treat these pretty gingerly and I never yank out the connector by the cable.

Go take a look at the reviews for the MagSafe adapters on Apple's site.. The vast majority of the reviews are one star (the lowest rating you can give a product):

Apple 60W MagSafe Power Adapter for MacBook

Apple 85W MagSafe Power Adapter (for MacBook Pro)

Power Adapter - 65W (for iBook & PowerBook)


Sadly I can only infer that this is a nice profit center for Apple and because they haven't been sued over this issue yet (which is amazing in itself) they have little incentive to make power supplies that outlive their laptops.

..Al
 
I'm having this issue on my Powerbook G4, the adapter is fraying at the tip of the connector, I can see the black and white wires inside.
 
Doctor Q said:
Does Apple really have a worse track record than other computer vendors?
Click to expand...

Yes. Other vendors use less innovative plugs to connect to computers. Their tried and true methods work... Apple puts a bit too much into style with them. THe G4 Ibook adaptors were terrible b/c the center prong would breakoff (sometimes even in an ibook).

But the magsafe is great (it has prevented what broke off the prong one time on an ibook) so I don't really care.
 
I'm on my FOURTH MacBook Pro brick, because the MagSafe ends started fraying on all the other ones. All replaced under AppleCare without a fuss.

It's about time they redesign the stupid thing.
 
I think part of the issue is that they try to keep the cable too light/cheap which results in using too thin of a gauge of wire along with lack of secondary support. Using aluminum is also more prone to fatigue then copper. I'd much rather have a cable twice as thick as the current one and never have to worry about it having trouble later.


And I agree that this is a long standing issue. I have had to replace power adapter on a Powerbook pismo for same reason.. you could actually see it sparking through the clear outer insulation.. maybe that's also why they don't use clear power cables anymore. :p
 
interesting... i just got an email today from the Apple store that my adapter just shipped today... I order it about 2 weeks ago.
 
Jeeze, i didn't even realize that there was already one redesigned power adaptor. Mine's not fraying yet, but I would be all for a recall to get a smaller power brick.
 
longofest said:
I'm honestly surprised why a recall hasn't been issued for this yet. People are apt to debate whether or not people are being too tough on their cords or not, but the fact still remains that a short happened, and the built-in circuit breaker did not activate to prevent the plastic from melting and a fire hazard from forming.

At the very least, it seems to me like there is a problem with the circuit breaker, if not remaining issues with how the insulation is constructed.
Click to expand...

Because Apple is cheap and it borderline requires a lawsuit for them to do anything. Prove me wrong guys. How many defects from ibooks, to iMacs, to iPods has a lawsuit either been threatened or outright initiated for Apple to being a program to make things right.
Again Apple is the new Microsoft which is a pity.
 
Burning Cable

I also had mine fray and start smoking..!!

fortunately I was nearby and switched it off at the power.

This was after about 11 months use. Apple issued a replacement.

I am wondering whether this is caused by the flexibility that is around that area on the cable (the magnetic pullout can only add strain to this I imagine). I would think a redesign of that area of cable ought to sort it out. It's a wonder no ones house has burnt down.

I no longer leave my macbook plugged into the power source unattended.. so no longer going to sleep and letting it charge overnight.. not worth the risk.

Oh yeah, I also use the little plastic rib on the cable to help it maintain a straight line out of the computer in the expectation that this will reduce the strain and fraying in the future.. hmmm
 
I've had my MacBook Pro since January. No issues with my power adapter at all. No fraying at either end. I also didn't know there was a newer, smaller adapter. That would be nice.
 
So I went to the Apple Store in Irvine, CA today to replace my frayed MagSafe Adapter for my MacBook Pro. It was covered under warranty. My Genius Bar Work Confirmation says I got an Adapter 85W Item #: 661-4259 but the actual unit he gave me was 611-0463. Its definitely not the slim version. But does anyone know the difference between these two part numbers?
 
Do you need to return old one first?

I have a MagSafe that's fraying too on my MBP with AppleCare.

For those of you that have had it exchanged when you called AppleCare did you have to send the old MagSafe back first? In light of the new redesign coming I'd hate to send my old MagSafe back and be without one for several weeks. Hoping as an AppleCare purchaser that they send you out a new one right away as I don't live near any Apple Stores.

Thanks.
 
Question...?

hey i have noticed my adapter LED light not being accurate, cant say anything about fraying though...

but this happening, does this mean that they will issue people who have recently bought a new macbook pro with the new adapter?
 
I get big sparks every time I connect the magsafe to the MacBook and if I attach it to the laptop before plugging it in, I get the sparks as I get close to the outlet with the plug. Once it's plugged in, it seems to be fine

I am still in warranty and I don't know if I should let Apple know :confused:
 
I'm after a smaller spare charger but haven't got round to buying one yet. The huge brick that shipped with my MBP is an absolute joke for a portable computer. I've also noticed some oddities with the LED - sometimes it doesn't light up at all, sometimes it shows red instead of green etc. And I've read several horror stories on here about the chargers catching alight. Will definitely be shutting down and unplugging my MBP next time I leave my house for more than a day or so...
 
So far I have not had any issues with either of my powers supplies and hope I never do. The other day though I had set me MBP on a table at the coffee shop to get another coffee and when I set it down the cord near the mag safe connecter got twisted and stuck underneath. I think this may be the start to a lot of the issues people are having.:(
 
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