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

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

Customer Reviews and Ratings

1.5 out of 5 stars

Based on 1117 reviews

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  • 2.0 out of 5 stars

    Better, but still not good engineering

    • Written by from Bowie

    I thought the magnetic connection would solve the problem with my previous Powerbook cord fraying. It didn't. 18 months, and I'm having to wiggle the cord around to get power. Of course, Apple will sell me another one for $79, when my problem is that $1 worth of wire broke.

    Here's an idea: why not make the portion of the cable that attaches to the transformer detachable? Then when the connector frays, as it inevitably will, you could buy a $10 cord instead of paying $79 for the whole power adapter. But I guess that would eliminate a big source of profit for Apple.

    3604 of 4012 people found this useful

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  • 2.0 out of 5 stars

    Yes for Unibody, No for older MBP's

    • Written by from Whitby

    Own Early 2008 MBP and Late 2009 MBP.
    Works on the unibody, does not on my early 2008.
    The port on the new MacBooks are smaller and more shallow, this charger reflects this change and will not make contact with older ports found on non-unibody.
    Buyer beware, save yourself the hassle and find an 'I" MagSafe charger if you have a non-unibody.

    1235 of 1631 people found this useful

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  • 3.0 out of 5 stars

    Not compatible with older Macbook Pros

    • Written by from City of Westminster

    The MagSafe connector on this power adaptor does not fit older models of MacBook Pro. This newer connector is marginally smaller and does not fit snugly into the socket on the computer. I bought two of these at the Apple Store, Regent Street which didn't work, and I was eventually advised to buy the older part number MA938B for my January 2008 MBP. Check before you buy!

    399 of 461 people found this useful

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  • 2.0 out of 5 stars

    They kinda fixed teh second most important problem...wow great job

    • Written by from København N

    While its fine and dandy that they changed one end of the cord, its the other end that is most likely to malfunction. I love my macs no doubt about it - but the magsafe adapters make me hate apple. The magsafe is such an expensive devise and at the same time the cord is so prone to braking off where it is connected to the charger. And then you cant just buy a new cord...you HAVE to buy a whole new charger...this is both very bad for the consumer and also for the environment. I really hope apple will soon realise that this way of milking costumers is not viable in the 21th century.

    So I beg you Apple: please fix the real problem and make a magsafe with a detachable cord.

    312 of 332 people found this useful

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  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Finally a great charger!

    • Written by from WASHINGTON

    I had the old macbook pro (2009) that came with the old charger. I've never had problems with the charger at all other then if I were to use it on my lap then the charger would be disconnected from the computer. With this charger that is no longer the case.

    I now have the new macbook pro and it came with the new charger and there isn't anything bad i can say about it so far. If you're looking for a charger that will work with the macbook and macbook pro this is the best choice. Somehow the charger can regulate down the amount of charge it's putting through to the computer so it's able to be used for both models. The overall look of this charger is pretty amazing. Before having a cheap looking white plug going into a all aluminum macbook looked stupid. With the new aluminum magsafe plug it looks a lot better when plugged in.

    Overall i think this is a great upgrade for anyone looking for a new charger and for anyone who has had problems with the old model.

    813 of 1393 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Dear Apple

    • Written by from Lawrence

    Dear Apple - stop being stupid. For such a great engineering company, why can't you get the obvious things fixed. These cords fray at the connector. ALL of them do. Sometimes at the power brick, sometimes at the Mac end. Then I have to go spend 80 bucks for another adapter - when all I really need is the cord. So do the right thing, and put a MagSafe connector on BOTH ends of the cord, and a MagSafe jack on the side of the power brick just like the one on the side of the computer. Then, I could (1) disconnect the cord completely from the adapter when it's in my bag, and not have to worry about the cord getting bent and broken where it connects to the power brick, (2) could have my choice of cord lenghts - maybe a short one for my desk and a long one when I travel, and (3) I could replace JUST THE CORD if it got damaged or worn, for something like 5 or 6 bucks instead of 80. What do you think? Would it be so hard to do?

    207 of 213 people found this useful

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  • 5.0 out of 5 stars

    Fully compatible with older MacBook Pros

    • Written by from Cambridge

    It works fine, and fits exactly the MagSafe power port on my late-2007 15-inch MacBook Pro, even though the computer was originally supplied with a "T" style MagSafe connector. Buy with confidence.

    179 of 217 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Designed to be expensive

    • Written by from Rowley

    Every powerbook adapter I've ever owned has eventually frayed around the power tip where it connects to the computer. But you can't just replace the cord from the power brick to the computer, you have to replace the entire power supply, even though there's absolutely nothing wrong with the power supply itself. A new cord would cost $5.00. A new power supply costs $75.00

    This is an incredibly wasteful and stupid design and makes a mockery of Apple's claims to be environmentally conscious.

    C'mon, Apple, make the cords replaceable.

    138 of 140 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Why won't Apple fix these awful power cords?

    • Written by from Dallas

    Well, the answer is clear. They are horribly overpriced at $80 and they break every 8 months or so. Clearly a goldmine for Apple.

    In the past 3 years, I've had one break near the magnetic end and one near the wall plug end. A third just mysteriously quit working, though it looks brand new. I am very careful with these cords, but it makes no difference.

    Also, they get dangerously hot.

    I had just talked my mom into switching from PC to Mac, but honestly now I might talk her back into a PC.

    I know these complaints are not new. Several reviews say the same thing. So when is Apple going to fix the problem? Or at least come up with a "Buy 3 Cords Get 1 Free" deal?

    132 of 150 people found this useful

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  • 2.0 out of 5 stars

    Design improvement required

    • Written by from Portland

    I like the magnet and angle design of the plug. Very cool. I realize the cable needs to be pliant otherwise it would come unplugged every time you fidget with the MBP in your lap. I get it, however, this cable is extremely thin. It's vulnerable. I'm not surprised other people have experienced problems with the cable. My kitten chewed through my cable last night and he's just a tiny little punk, not a big punk like my other cat. I realize it's not Apple's fault about the cat, however, this unit is in perfect working order save for a bite mark on the cable. This is where we need a design upgrade. The cable should plug into the base with a snug connection, that way we can purchase a replacement cable instead of the whole unit in case something happens to only the cable. The current design is like forcing us to throw the baby out with the bathwater. We should be able to keep the adapter and simply replace the cable. From there, it would be nice if we could buy different types of cables, a thicker cable, a different color perhaps. If it were affordable, I would just order a few of them to have on hand in case something happens. Apple, please consider this. It's wasteful and harmful to the environment to have to chuck the whole unit into a landfill just because of a frayed cable.

    117 of 129 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    How can the power supply be such a bad product?

    • Written by from Atlanta

    I've had my MacBook Pro for about a year and I've already had 2 power supplies fail on me. One failed in that it no longer charges and the other failed in that it's wire unraveled from the base of the power supply. What's more, even when new, the wire wrapping mechanism is woefully substandard compared to the power supply that came with my prior computer, a Dell laptop. I had the Dell for 2.5+ years and never had one problem with the power supply. Plus the Dell cord wrapping mechanism made my Dell power supply a joy to use whereas I hate, hate, hate having to pack and unpack the Mac's power supply, especially when I need to carry the longer cord which simply Apple doesn't provide a wire wrapping mechanism for.

    Okay Apple, you can pour R&D into the iPad and iPhone 4.0 but you just pay no attention to the details like the power supply. Come on, pay a little attention so we can have a better day-to-day user experience with the thing. If it were a better product I wouldn't mind paying an extra $79 for a spare, especially if it didn't die after 6-9 months.

    115 of 135 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Poorly designed power supply

    • Written by from Irving

    The power supply has a poorly designed strain relief that allows the wire to break apart at the base of the power supply. I have had my mac laptop for a little over a year, and the power supply is already shot. What is worse is that it seems the wire wrapping mechanism is designed to cause this particular problem. This should not happen, especially because I take very good care of my electronics. I had a clunky old Dell laptop for work for over three years and this problem never occurred with the dell power supply. Unfortunately I need to buy another one of these because I need to use my laptop.

    I have been a fan of Apple products for over a decade. They offer the best computing experience money can buy. Given how well the laptops are designed, this should NEVER happen.

    92 of 97 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Come On APPLE

    • Written by from Colbert

    You make a superior computer by far - but why can't you seem to figure out the power cord situation? It doesn't fray at the computer end - it frays at the POWER END right where it comes out of the power box! And it does it within a year of use. I've NEVER had one fray at the other end. I KNOW you can get this right but until you do, you should provide FREE replacements for these substandard power cords. I wouldn't mind paying shipping cost but 79.99 plus tax for something that should last as long as the computer? Come on!

    85 of 87 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Buyers Beware

    • Written by from Etiwanda

    We love Apple products but buyer beware: if you are going to buy a macbook pro know that your power cord is likely going to fray because of the way they designed the product. You will then have to fork out $80 to get a new one or buy a knock off that could damage your computer. I am so frustrated with Apple. I paid a premium to get a mac over a pc and then instead of saying thank you by cutting me a break on a power cord they slam me there too.

    78 of 80 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Apple's biggest MAC failure

    • Written by from Alexandria

    The adapter failed after one use. I purchased it after ignoring the plethora of bad reviews hoping it would solve the problem of the original power cord on my 2008 MacBook Pro falling apart in the first year of use. There are countless discussion threads on this problem on numerous websites. Apple needs to stand behind their entire product - you purchase the entire MacBook Pro with the expectation that the laptop and accessories (especially the power cord) will withstand normal wear and tear over at least a several year period.

    83 of 93 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    DO NOT BUY IF YOU HAVE EARLY (2008) Macbook pro

    • Written by from dallas

    So I bought this new charger and was excited because it looked sturdier than the last one ( the wires on my old charger were all frayed). After two days the charger stopped working. I went back to the apple store exchanged it and got another new charger. It also stopped working after two days. After searching around on the internet and seeing that many others are having this problem I found the only way to get my charger to work is to take the battery out press the reset button and restart my computer. I have to do this everytime to get my charger to work =( Please fix this apple!!!

    75 of 82 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Terrible! Read your reviews, Apple!

    • Written by from North Myrtle Beach

    Dear Apple, I've been a loyal customer for years and have had problems with the same thing over and over again... Your power cords. My iPhone cords have broken at the connecting point as well as my MacBook Pro 2010 power cord. At the connecting point at the power block where the plastic piece goes into the block, the cord has frayed and actually caused a fire. Now I'm being forced to buy another $80 replacement cord simply due to failure of the build? This is not the way to treat your customers. Change your cord design please! I never had an issue with my pc and trust me, I abused the thing. I've babied my cords and apple products due to the price that I paid for them, but being a college student, I have to pack up and carry it around quite often. Several times a day. We didn't pay a leg for the computer just to have our fingers chopped off for a cord. This is disgraceful. Please, please make these things more durable. I don't even have enough money to replace it so now I'm stuck using computers on campus (an hour away from home).

    Please read your reviews. I've not had another problem but this $80 monster (FOR A CORD?!) is hurting you. Your replacement cords have 1-2 stars out of 5. Does this make you happy?

    72 of 77 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Biggest piece of feces ever

    • Written by from Boone

    3rd one in a year just gave way. Same problem as everyone else. Seriously Apple, don't you make enough money already that you don't hose your customers by making them buy a new charger every couple of months. You make me sick for doing this to people!

    66 of 67 people found this useful

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  • 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Don't bother if you're on an older Mac

    • Written by from Mouth of Wilson

    I have a 2007/2008 15 inch mac book pro which uses a slightly different looking power adapter. After it frayed like everyone's seems to in a few years, i ordered this replacement. The older reviews warned that this new design may not work well with older laptops but the sales department assured me that it would and that actually no design changes had been made.

    It worked for about a week then stopped charging and the little lite doesn't come on any more. Frustrated that apple didn't know their own product I called support and spent almost an hour on the phone by the time they transferred me to sales. They still dont believe that the slight design change stops them from working and to top it off dont supply the older charger anymore. Ahhh....

    There are going to be 10's of thousands of people with this very same problem so you better buy one on the black market before they're all gone. The ended the phone call saying they of course wouldn't support the warranty of the charger if I go buy a used one.

    Really wish apple would get a grip on this issue and stop wasting everyones time.

    76 of 89 people found this useful

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  • 2.0 out of 5 stars

    Needs design tweak

    • Written by from Auke Bay

    Here I am a year after purchasing my laptop and having to replace the power adapter. I love the magnetic feature but it the end that connects to the block that I have issues with. Currently I have duct tape around it so as to prevent a fire/exposure of inner wires. Why can't this end be attached in a different way that would eliminate / reduce wear? Apple is good about our environment in the design of its hardware, it's time to make this simple change saving our landfills from an abundance of these power adapters.

    65 of 68 people found this useful

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