Customer Reviews and Ratings

1.5 out of 5 stars

Based on 966 reviews

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Upset

    • Written by from Riverside

    22 of 23 people found this useful

    So i know that I have had this charger for almost 3 years but I feel like a charger shouldn't tear or break and now I have to spend 80 bucks to get another one. I guess Apple should figure out a way to better design their chargers, and maybe use a different material to wrap the wires in the charger. I know that Apple is all about how things look but maybe they should start also thinking about the quality in the materials they use.

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Overheating

    • Written by

    24 of 30 people found this useful

    I wonder if anyone else is having trouble with their 85W MagSafe Power Adapter overheating? Sometimes it doesn't get hot at all while charging, but most of the time it gets so hot I am afraid it will start a fire.

    It charges my MacBook Pro just fine, but I'm afraid to keep it plugged in.

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Cord frays about the 18months in.

    • Written by from Columbus

    15 of 16 people found this useful

    You would think cord damage would be something of a non-issue when the cord easily detaches. However, due to the way it is designed, the cable bends severely right at the connector. This is due to the sharp change from stiff hard plastic to the soft rubberized cable; there's nothing to restrict the curve which imparts compression and tension forces, which, over time,will cause compromise in the sheathing. You would think that people as smart as apple would realize that semi-stiff rubber/plastic sheathing over the first inch or two of the cable to inhibit the degree of the curve and offer a more gradual and resistant to this issue.

    Was this useful? Cord frays about the 18months in.

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Longevity?

    • Written by from Warner Robins

    12 of 12 people found this useful

    I didn't buy this as a seperate item, I'm just reviewing the one that came with my late fall 2011 mbp.

    The cord is fraying near the connector. I taped it up real ghetto like with electrical tape, and a week later the split just started again above the tape. so idk. It is clear that these won't hold up too well in the long term, and I don't know what the average life expectancy is of power adapters. I got a year and a half out of mine, now I must buy another. I'm not real happy about that. What would make me happy is if the DC out cord was interchangeable, just like the AC in. Then I could just buy a much cheaper cord to replace, instead a whole new adapter.

    3 stars for the ingenuity of the mag connector, knocking 2 off for the short lifespan.

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Good but lacks durability

    • Written by from Chantilly

    15 of 18 people found this useful

    The Apple 85w Megsafe power adapter looks good, better than many other chargers from other companies that are bulky. One thing i did not like about this power adapter is the the wires that wear and tear after only 11 months of constant usage. I am always on the move, so every time i have to fold the cable and wire of the adapter around the adapter's body in order to make it fit my bag-pack, but having been using it for 11 months only, i noticed a tear in the wire that connects to the charging port on the MBP. I was disappointed after using it for only a short while that it began to wear out a bit by bit. I hope that Apple ensures that their cables are more durable than only one year of use, because i noticed that the durability aspect of the cables and power adapters are lacking more emphasis. Other than that, everything is great :)

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Excited yet cautious

    • Written by from Houston

    12 of 14 people found this useful

    Just received my swanky, sleek power cord. Looks great, but am feeling cautious as to how long it will last. Why won't Apple make a cord that stands up to the basics of wear and tear such as other less durable laptops? I love my Macbook Pro but would love it even more if I did not have to look forward to replacing an essential power cord every 2 years.

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Too Short a Life Span

    • Written by from Crawfordville

    12 of 14 people found this useful

    This charger is relatively small, attractive, and gets the job done. I like the magnetic plug - it has prevented many accidents where my laptop would have been dropped. But I can give it no more than 3 stars because its life span is about 1 year if you're lucky. The end that you plug into the computer is made of a flimsy rubbery plastic material that frays and comes apart after even gentle use. My laptop does very little traveling - it usually just sits at my desk or couch - but after just 9 months I was having to reinforce the adapter with electrical tape so that the wires weren't exposed. This is a huge problem with this power adapter, and I'm surprised that Apple hasn't come out with an improvement yet. I won't be paying 79.00 for Apple's, especially when I know it won't be lasting long anyway.

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Yes for older MacBook Pro's

    • Written by from Jerome

    9 of 10 people found this useful

    I have a 15" MacBook Pro 4,1 (early 2008), my original MagSafe Power Adapter lasted almost exactly 4 years of light use, meaning a couple hours a day, 3 or 4 days a week. I was concerned because one of the reviewers said this new MagSafe Power Adapter would not work with the older non unibody MacBook Pro, that is not correct. I just received my new MagSafe Power Adapter model A1343 and it plugs in just like the old one and is less obtrusive because of the "L" shape.

    Was this useful? Yes for older MacBook Pro's

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Good idea but it still needs work

    • Written by from carmel

    15 of 22 people found this useful

    I love the magnetic attachment, finally a way to plug your computer in without having to worry about warping the power connection and having to replace it. This cord does have one MAJOR drawback, the point where the cord from the computer attaches to the transformer frays in less than a year, if you use the clips attached to it to wrap up the cord when storing then it will last maybe 6 months. I have owned my MBP for less then a year and I am already on my second power cord. I like that it doesn't cost as much as the battery (which should last longer if you ask me) but spending $80 every six months is a waste of money, you have no choice unless you want to void your warranty by fixing yourself or buying an off brand power cord.
    MAKE SURE when storing or using you bend the cord at the transformer as little as possible to make it last longer, and never wrap it with the attached clips!

    Was this useful? Good idea but it still needs work

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Design still kind of flawed

    • Written by from Escondido

    11 of 14 people found this useful

    I am on my third of these. The first one frayed where the cord entered the Magsafe connector. The second started failing a couple days ago, again a problem with the cord. It would only work in certain positions, again likely where the cord enters the Magsafe. Hopefully the third time's the charm with one of these.

    The flaw is the angle of the adapter. Having it flush with the computer is great for desktop use, not so much for laptop use.

    Was this useful? Design still kind of flawed

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    When it works, it works and when it don't -- jiggle it, it might!

    • Written by from LAMPASAS

    11 of 15 people found this useful

    This is my second 'L' adapter which I really like but this iteration has ended up with the same problem - no voltage at the pins! I can easily measure it on the old style adapter but can't can't even get a bump on the needle on this one. So it's that time...

    Yep, after reading the reviews I am going to tear into mine-- just the 'L' adapter end and fix it myself. I think I'm ready to roll the dice and take the chance believing that my formidible re-engineering and re-fabricating skills are up to it.

    If it wasn't 60 miles to the Apple Store, I might not risk it but time is money! Not to mention diesel is money too.

    Wish me luck and look for me on all the morning shows when I'm heralded as a true American hero!

    Or alternately, slinking into the Apple Store, tucked tail and coughing up the $79.00 for a new one. I'll probably wear a pair of the Groucho Marx glasses avec nose and bushy eye brows just to protect my dignity.

    Wish me luck.

    Was this useful? When it works, it works and when it don't -- jiggle it, it might!

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    I can't keep buying chargers and batteries

    • Written by from Wellington

    7 of 8 people found this useful

    The battery lasted 2years. The charger went sometime after then the new one it's been a year and it started sparking and browning then stripped away at the laptop area and around the block. Hopefully they cover this.

    Was this useful? I can't keep buying chargers and batteries

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    I find a weak connection over time.

    • Written by from New York

    7 of 8 people found this useful

    Suddenly warning me- reserve battery. Computer was on sleep it just ran down plugged in! Had since January- just started. Very temperamental,sometime perfect other times nothing. Apple-please do exchange-but we must receive perfect one in return. Sounds like problem never resolved from what I read here.

    Was this useful? I find a weak connection over time.

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Pretty Good.

    • Written by from Camden

    6 of 7 people found this useful

    I can't give the product more than three stars because it has started to get finicky here over the last couple of months. I purchased my MBP 17" last year and have had the original cord this long. It is still in good shape, but sometimes when attaching it to the MBP it doesn't connect to charge, and other times it is not readable until it is unattached and reattach. Other times I can wiggle it around and it will be recognized. I feel that this shouldn't be an issue, and it's happening more frequently. There isn't anything obstructing it from connecting properly, so that is not an issue and they are both clean. I just feel that this is too soon for it to be going downhill and possibly having to be replaced so soon.

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Battery Drop an Reboot time

    • Written by from Germantown

    5 of 5 people found this useful

    I recently purchase this to replace my frayed and broken charger. I have learned that it works fine as long as you never disconnect it. Every time my power cable is removed form the Mac I have to remove the battery and reinstall for the adapter to work again. I learned this the hard way. By taking the charge back to Apple store and telling them it defective. They plugged it into the new MAc there. It worked fine. I went home and tried but it failed. I took my Mac in and the removed the battery and resinstalled it. Then said this is a problem with the old Macbooks. Mine is a 15" Mac book Pro purchased about 2 yrs ago. I feel there should be a compatible product offered to work with my machine. I was able to twist my ground wire back together on the old adapter. It works fine with no issue. Connect, disconnect, then reconnect. Work every time, however on the new one drop battery and reboot every time the I disconnect the cable. What a pain.

    Was this useful? Battery Drop an Reboot time

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Tradeoffs

    • Written by from Falls Church

    5 of 5 people found this useful

    I have a late 2008 15" unibody macbook pro with a 2.4 Ghz processor (MacBookPro5,1, or MB470LL/A).
    This model originally came with a white magsafe adaptor so I was concerned about whether this new silver adaptor would work.

    1) The sales assistant at the Apple Store said it would work.

    2) It appears to work just fine with this computer.

    3) The Q&A forums on this site have both yes and no answers, possibly some folks have communication problems or aren't thinking very hard. I don't think this is a satisfactory way for Apple to provide product information. Any person can answer any question with whatever they THINK is the right answer. On the internet, lots of people are thrilled to share their opinion as fact.

    4) Apple: it's called a product compatibility matrix combined with a solid model number system. Knock it off with the secrets and guessing games!

    As for the product itself, the connection is sleeker since the power cable runs straight back, parallel to the side of the computer. This is nice. On the other hand, the cable has a rougher surface texture and is much less flexible. Maybe the old cable was fraying a lot, but now I am concerned about wrapping this new one for travel because it is so stiff.

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    The DURABILITY in my opinion, should be better.

    • Written by

    5 of 6 people found this useful

    I have two thoughts about the adapter. I like and dislike it. The adapter part of the charger is tearing yet the big power cord/extension part is fine. When I bought my MacBook Pro and all of the things that came with it about a year ago now, I really expected it to last a very long time. Now I can say that I played a part in the tearing of the product but nothing too major. Minor steps on the cord or constantly rolling the cord up may be the issue because I am a college student who is not stationary, I use my computer just about everywhere and my charger comes along with me. This product is not inexpensive, $80 is a nice chunk of change for a computer charger. I am not complaining about the price but the quality and durability of this charger should be a lot better, especially considering the fact that it is an Apple product.

    Was this useful? The DURABILITY in my opinion, should be better.

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Doesn't fit with Incase hard shell

    • Written by from Saint-Hubert

    8 of 14 people found this useful

    The older generation MagSafe Power Adapter I had been using for a year stopped working recently. I went to the Apple Store and it was replaced free of charge. However, I was quite disappointed to notice that it is not compatible with the Incase hard shell I bought (at the same store) for my MacBook Pro last year. When plugged facing backward, the MagSafe sticks out due to the shell. When plugged with the cord facing towards me, the MagSafe connector blocks the Ethernet and Firewire connection as well as a USB port.

    Was this useful? Doesn't fit with Incase hard shell

    Flag as inappropriate

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Don't be fooled

    • Written by from Cambridge

    2 of 3 people found this useful

    Don't be fooled by the flexible wire, if you wrap and unwrap the thin cord every time you use it it's going to weaken and break, according to all these reviews, and according to my gut feeling when I first saw it. Throw the whole cord in the bag without wrapping it up and it will last you much longer. The magnetic attachment however, is truly awesome.

  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Good adapter but magnet breaks easily

    • Written by from Houston

    2 of 4 people found this useful

    I've read a lot of negative reviews in which people complain of the wire fraying. I've never had that happen to mine (it's the L shape), but the magnetic piece did break after less than a year. I fixed it with superglue but a few months later it broke again. I can't justify the expense (I don't want to replace parts that aren't broken), so I'm using a strong rubber band to hold the power cord onto the magnetic piece. It's not the greatest solution but it's proven workable.

    Was this useful? Good adapter but magnet breaks easily

    Flag as inappropriate