Reviews for Apple 85W MagSafe Power Adaptor (for 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro)

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.

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 :)

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.