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

I really hope Apple considers designing a more durable charger. I only gave this one star because I had to. Since 2007 I have had two different macbooks, and at least 6 chargers. There are 925 ratings on this product with a total of 1.5 stars, which is seriously embarrassing for a company that makes many good products. Long story short, these are extremely expensive and do not last at all.

28 of 29 people found this useful

We're becoming a disposable society. Forget about quality, build it cheap, make money and you have captive customers. Just went on-line to order my third charge after the first two frayed. Terrible design and I'm surprised that this product still has not been redesigned. Very disappointing.

27 of 27 people found this useful

Bottom line: an $80 power cord should last longer than two years. I am very careful with my computer equipment because I can't afford to buy replacements every other year. There is no visible damage or sign of strain anywhere on the adapter, but it has simply stopped working.
If so many people are having the same problem, then clearly there is some flaw in the design/manufacturing. It's time for Apple to address this.

27 of 27 people found this useful

The magnetic DC connector does not protect the wires from being kinked as it says in the description. I am on my second adapter in the last year because the newly designed magnetic end fits in a way that actually makes the wire kink and eventually break. The previously designed magnetic end that fit perpendicular to the computer did much more to protect the wires than this one. I wonder if they tested it?

29 of 31 people found this useful

This adapter has an unfortunate design flaw. The skinny cord is prone to fraying or developing shorts near the MagSafe connector. Because this connector is permanently affixed to the transformer brick, you must replace the entire unit when the cord fails. I understand that these cords do fail—this is probably an unavoidable consequence of winding and unwinding. But it seems incredibly wasteful that you have to junk the entire adapter when the cord does fail. And they're so expensive to replace.

28 of 29 people found this useful

This is the worst nightmare.
I got a Mac Book Pro in April 2008. The laptop is in perfect shape, however the power adaptor broke down. I got a new one (not cheap!) and I was informed Apple only offer the new L shape model, which doesn't work properly.
If I connect the adaptor when the laptop is turned off, it will charge. Subsequently, if I turn on the laptop, it still charges.
HOWEVER, if i disconnect the adaptor -while the Mac is on- and try to connect it again, it won;t charge. Everytime I need to re-charge, I need to turn off the computer.
IT TAKES AWAY THE NOTION OF A LAPTOP, I am stuck now with a desk computer that needs to be plugged.
I changed twice the power adaptor, took it to a genius bar, and nothing has happened. The latest is that they will try to change something inside the laptop. They were very patronizing. As, obviously, the mac is not under guarantee anymore, they said they wouldn't charge for that, suggesting they were being really nice, when the case is that they could not find anything wrong with the computer.
Apple manufactured a new design because the last one was quite bad, but they didn't properly tested it in order to work with the new models and the old ones.
All this sounds like if I hate Apple, when I actually love it, and that's why I am so angry. I do love the products, the brand , the quality. This is not the only product I've got. But I have to say I am absolutely disappointed on the company not taking action on this, and offering compensation to those affected. It is outrageous that they suggest to buy a second hand old-model from Amazon or something.
Just trying not to be horrible, I have to say the people I've dealt with have been quite nice and genuinely worried, but it is the company who should respond to this!
I've lost two entire days on this, and looks I will have to lose more time, but I will definitely post what happens after they take my laptop in, good or bad.

34 of 41 people found this useful

How it's possible a $79 adaptor won't last a year?
I am who take care of my stuff like crazy. This charger is terrible!
The quality of the wire doesn't last enough and cords fray at the connector.
It happens to some apple headphones too.
you can close your eyes on $20 headphone, but $80 adaptor? noway.
Dear Apple please do something about this obvious shame.

28 of 30 people found this useful

In the last ten years I've owned 2 apple laptops and six chargers! I really feel something should be done about the poor quality of the chargers.

27 of 28 people found this useful

After 2 years of low use my 2010 MacBook Pro charger died. The reason of why my charger went bad is in the cable that goes out of the DC box to the computer. It seems that the cable inside got loose so as a result I am getting in-and-out charging from the computer which is not good on the battery and need to readjust the cable in order to have a steady charge. Worst yet is that Apple charges $79 USD for this charger and the lifespan of it is too short and there's no generic replacement. Apple needs to make these chargers more rugged even if they have to sacrifice on aesthetics.

26 of 26 people found this useful