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

Works great until cord inevitably freys or melts.

Written by DM from Montgomery

Oct 1, 2009

I've just had a similar experience with my Mac Book Pro 15" power brick. After about 14 months of light use, the cord has melted and frayed at the point where it enters the power adapter body. This is one case where I wish Apple would forgo the sleek design in favor of a product that doesn't fail so potentially dangerously.

After realizing a new one was going to cost me $80, I attempted a simple repair by re-soldering and repairing the wire (having some electrical engineering knowledge) but to no avail as the power brick must have shorted itself out when the internal wire finally melted. If the product was $40, it would still be overly-expensive but tolerable as it's the only way to charge these laptops. However, $80 is flat-out outrageous for a product that has an obvious and documented (if the number of reviews here are any indication) flaw. If I had a bit more experience building switching power supplies, I might have attempted to build one myself but alas, I forced to pay the Apple tax and fork over more money to continue use of a $3000 product. Thanks Apple.

18 of 25 people found this useful

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

Why is Apple not listening? This thing MELTS!

Written by CL from Port Clinton

Oct 1, 2009

While the overall concept of the power adapter is very cool, it just winds up melting at the connection. Why hasn't apple changed this after reading all these reviews? Isn't that what these reviews are for? Listen to the customer! I need another one of these power supplies (mine has melted) and I am not going to pay 79 bucks to get another one that melts. Make a better one!

10 of 15 people found this useful

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

Love the design but very Very disappointing

Written by DB from Fresh Meadows

Sep 30, 2009

I guess mine was a lucky one to last for 14months. Hearing the adapter pop and start making a clicking sound??? I cannot charge my MBP anymore and I don"t want to spend about $80 every year for it. :[

8 of 12 people found this useful

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

Terrible Disservice to Users

Written by AE from Demarest

Sep 30, 2009

Love Apple. Have been a devoted customer for over 20 years. But this power adapter is a horrible solution to an important requirement. The cord easily frays and/or the adapter just doesn't work. And it is way too expensive to be so frequently replaced. I can not calculate how much I've spent on Apple products over the years. Invariably I'm thrilled with the design and rave to all. This is the only product that actually makes me mad at the company.

5 of 9 people found this useful

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

Nothing But Junk

Written by DP

Sep 30, 2009

This adapter looks great but functionally it's poorly designed. Mine is melty looking at the end. Need to make this right.

5 of 9 people found this useful

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

Almost caught on fire.

Written by SR from Edmonton

Sep 30, 2009

I hardly touched the power adapter and the only time the cord ever bent was to wind it around the adapter as shown in the product picture. After leaving it plugged into my laptop for 2 weeks, while the laptop was not in use and turned off, I could smell plastic burning in my room. Eventually I found a large brown and melted spot on the cord, if I wasn't home at the time it might have burnt my house down.

Horrible product, they should all be recalled. I am especially not thrilled about being charged such a ridiculous price for something that is clearly faulty. Currently looking so see if anyone makes a 3rd party device that can plug into that stupid proprietary socket.

9 of 13 people found this useful

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

If I could give it 0 stars, I would.

Written by CF from Washington

Sep 29, 2009

This is the worst apple product ever released that I have experienced in my close to 10 years of using apple laptops. It melts. The plastic covering tears, leaving exposed wires that often spark. It overheats and loses power until it cools again. It is overly expensive for a product that requires repetitive replacement. In short, it is an epic failure and sad indeed that we have to keep purchasing this as the only real replacement for our power cords.

9 of 13 people found this useful

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

Bloody awful!!

Written by AA from Bromborough

Sep 29, 2009

The first 85W power adapter i got with my MBP in june 2007 was great and lasted until july 2009, since then i'm now on my third, after buying a new power supply in in July 2009 and noticing that Apple had made them smaller, i noticed it also got incredibly hot (unlike the old one) then six weeks later it just stopped working so i took it back to the Apple store thinking it was just a faulty unit, now not even 6 weeks on the replacement has also stopped working. SORT IT OUT APPLE THIS IS PATHETIC

6 of 10 people found this useful

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

Questioning the poor design for Magsafe power cord

Written by CD from Shrewsbury

Sep 27, 2009

Ever try to plug the power cord into a power "well" found on many conference tables or office floors? I have and it doesn't fit. Ever plug the block into the wall outlet and have it fall out over and over again because it's too heavy? If Apple is so great at design, which they are, why can't they design a power cord with the power block more conveniently located for ease of use?

2 of 8 people found this useful

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

A real flop

Written by EG from Rye

Sep 27, 2009

We have 2 Macs in this house and in a period of 3 years, have replaced the adapters 4 times--- we have 2 work Dells in this house and have replaced the adapters ZERO times. Something wrong in this equation.

10 of 15 people found this useful

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

Love everything about it -- until it frayed

Written by PF from Stansbury Park

Sep 27, 2009

One of the most intuitive products ever developed, except for the wear down of the rubber surrounding the cable as it exits the adapter.

I consider myself a pretty cautious user with a bit of OCD when it comes to cable clutter, so I've been very careful, but have now worn out two cables! Expensive habit I have going here. I'm going to attempt to fix, but looking online it is not going to be pretty getting the case back together again.

Very disappointing Apple. I'm just glad I've caught the problem while the cable is a bit discolored and not after getting shocked or having it cause a fire.

There are only two kinds of adapters, those which have broken, those which will break. For all the smug reviewers who think it will never happen to them, I look forward to your future posting.

6 of 11 people found this useful

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

Hot, too hot, NO MELTDOWN

Written by JC from Spokane

Sep 26, 2009

Hello All.

I've had my MacBook Pro 17" for almost two years. I use this machine four to five hours a day, online, DVD, youtube (heats up my video processor like a game) etc.

The power adapter and magnetic connector get hot but never a meltdown. I always use the three prong, grounded extension and try to plug it into a surge protected device. But, frankly, I've used it in another country with foreign adapters and it has never melted down. When I can, I position it on glass, metal or something so it breathes but I often forget and find it on my bed under a blanket!

I'm buying a new one today because adapters eventually need replacing after so many hours of use. I'll write if, after testing it, I get any difference in usage.

Apple should be replacing the ones I've read about that melt; and they should find out why and where, so it doesn't happen to others. These computers are amazing! The magnetic connector is the best invention to prevent expensive hardware repairs that I've seen in a decade. Way to go Apple; now stand up for those users who got a meltdown...

JC

3 of 8 people found this useful

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

Replaced 3 times!

Written by JA from dolores

Sep 23, 2009

I have had my MacBook Pro for 2.5 years and I am replacing the charger for the 3rd time. I think they have both shorted out. I am not sure why this is, but at almost $100 each, it is becoming ridiculous

17 of 27 people found this useful

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

Works great and been reliable

Written by LH from Burnaby

Sep 23, 2009

I have an original MacBook Core Duo from 2006 and both the original power adapter and an 85W one I bought later as a backup/leave at home/work are both in perfect working order with no signs of the fraying or meltdowns mentioned in other reviews. I try to never stress the cables, I do use the cable storage ears but leave the cable where it exits the power block loose while I wrap the rest. I also don't pull the magsafe connector out but lift it free. Otherwise I don't take particular care, they live in the bottom of my backpack most between work and home and one or the other gets wrapped and unwrapped twice a day.

13 of 14 people found this useful

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

Works great!

Written by DR from Indio

Sep 21, 2009

So long as you don't Wind it tightly. It works fine. Don't use the built in cable wind, but instead make loops and use velcro ties to hold it. This will put less pressure on the ends, thus saving the life of the cord. Also, when you disconnect, lift the magnet area up, it comes of easier. If you just pull you will ruin the end.

I have had mine for 4-5 years, with no problems. Just about to replace it for the first time!

16 of 17 people found this useful

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

In 2 years, I've had to replace this twice

Written by KM from Boston

Sep 20, 2009

The point between the magnet and the cord comes undone and exposes wires. It's melted on me twice. I'm now on number 3. C'mon Mac! You can do better! This happens on my usb cords too for my iphone and ipod. Kind of obnoxious...

5 of 14 people found this useful

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

Fraying at ends (expose silver wires) after 3 months Iphone and Macbook

Written by CT

Sep 19, 2009

The power cord for my Macbook and Iphone frayed at the ends in just a few months. Big fan of apple products but this needs to be addressed...serious safety issue.

6 of 15 people found this useful

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

Works Good

Written by BB from Thunder Bay

Sep 18, 2009

I have had my AV adaptor since i first got my macbook pro 15 inch and it has been a year and i have had no problems.

13 of 17 people found this useful