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Should I still use this macbook charger?! (pics)

W

windowlicker567

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 10, 2012
3
0
Hi,
Just noticed that this has happened
tumblr_ma5p89UHuD1r6pmq8o1_1280.jpg


It still seems to charger as normal. I've had the charger for about 2 years (so I guess its not under warranty). I also don't really fancy spending £45 on a new charger unless it really is a hazard :eek:

Thanks in advance
 
Last edited by a moderator:
windowlicker567 said:
It still seems to charger as normal. I've had the charger for about 2 years (so I guess its not under warranty). I also don't really fancy spending £45 on a new charger unless it really is a hazard :eek:
Click to expand...
If it was mine, I'd replace it.
 
I went the electrical tape route for a couple of years. It works fine like that. You could go for a cheap knockoff too, but you'll have really horrible hissing sound due to the voltage differences with headphones.
 
Macman45 said:
Ask yourself a very simple question: What happens if those wires fray under the tape and then meet?

Then buy a new one instead of buying a new Mac. It's cheaper in the long run!
Click to expand...

Ask yourself a very simple question: What happens if those wires fray under the shielding in the new cable and then meet?
 
electric tape like the others or get a oem replacement from third party. For example:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/replacement-60w-power-supply-ac-adapter-for-apple-macbook-34973?item=2

I bought one to leave in my bag when I am on the go and bought one to replace my original charger.


windowlicker567 said:
Hi,
Just noticed that this has happened
tumblr_ma5p89UHuD1r6pmq8o1_1280.jpg


It still seems to charger as normal. I've had the charger for about 2 years (so I guess its not under warranty). I also don't really fancy spending £45 on a new charger unless it really is a hazard :eek:

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
 
Apple has a special program with chargers in which they replace and damaged or dysfunctional chargers at no cost, regardless if your mac is in warranty or not. My cord was coming apart near the power brick, I took it in and they replaced it. Same with my wife's macbook power cord that was shorting. Both of ours we're 2008 macbooks and they replaced them at no cost a couple months ago.

Schedule an appointment at the mac store and they should replace it.
 
s-o-teric said:
Apple has a special program with chargers in which they replace and damaged or dysfunctional chargers at no cost, regardless if your mac is in warranty or not. My cord was coming apart near the power brick, I took it in and they replaced it. Same with my wife's macbook power cord that was shorting. Both of ours we're 2008 macbooks and they replaced them at no cost a couple months ago.

Schedule an appointment at the mac store and they should replace it.
Click to expand...

I've never heard of that? Are you sure that this is an actual program that all apple stores follow or were you just lucky? If so, I have one of the older style 85w magsafe chargers that has a pretty hasty repair job on the cable. Obviously though, i'd rather not book an appointment, travel all the way to the store, and then get told that they won't replace it...

-----------------

Hold on, just found apples support page with this info on at http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1713

"Whether your product is in or out of warranty, you can take your adapter to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Retail Store for evaluation and replacement if necessary. Pending the results of the evaluation, you may or may not be eligible for a replacement adapter free of charge. Signs of accidental damage would negate any coverage. Be sure to bring in the computer used with the adapter; it is required to process potential adapter replacements."

I think OP's picture looks a bit to accidental, than a fray caused by a manufacturing defect.
 
Thanks for your replies, Ill give apple a call anyway but for now here is my crappy repair! Duck tape ftw.
tumblr_magyhsFUcw1r6pmq8o1_500.jpg
 
dubels said:
Do yourself a favor and use heat shrink. You can use a blowdryer to shrink it and it will be perfectly fine.
Click to expand...
At the very least get some white electrical tape.

For what it's worth, the power cord for my G4 PowerBook has a bit of white electrical tape on it where the outer insulation cracked near the plug. It continues to work just fine.
 
Zedsdead185 said:
I think OP's picture looks a bit to accidental, than a fray caused by a manufacturing defect.
Click to expand...

My girlfriend and I have had the same thing happen to three cords so far, and my current one is showing the sheathing separating from the wire itself. We've found that they like to call this accidental damage, even though it seems to be a very common problem (I just noticed my iPod cable is doing the same thing...) The associate I last talked to said that some of their products (cables) are more fragile than others (macbook pros) and need to be handled with more care (like... not bending them?)
 
csthom said:
My girlfriend and I have had the same thing happen to three cords so far, and my current one is showing the sheathing separating from the wire itself. We've found that they like to call this accidental damage, even though it seems to be a very common problem (I just noticed my iPod cable is doing the same thing...) The associate I last talked to said that some of their products (cables) are more fragile than others (macbook pros) and need to be handled with more care (like... not bending them?)
Click to expand...

I have never had any cable fray on me and I still have a charger from a 2006 MacBook Pro along with dock connects from ever further back. So, yes, it is accidental damage, the cables should not be bent at extreme angles and should be treated with care. Just like you should not be throwing your MacBook Pro around you should not bend the cable at 90º angles.
 
I have exact issue with the cord, but I just got back from apple store, they refused to replace it under applecare even I had replaced it 3 times under applecare.. The manager said tech looked at it and it is not normal wear and tear usual.. I went WTF? I had it replace 3 times almost same issue.. Any advice? I do not want to pay $80 for something I already have applecare.. I am kinda pissed that they wont even do for long time apple users.
 
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