Home

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

Apple needs to figure this out

Written by CE from Los Angeles

Aug 7, 2009

I don't understand how Apple can make such amazing products but can't figure out how to make a power cord that lasts for more than a year! And that's if you're lucky! I'm beginning to feel as if they do it intentionally just to make more money. I can safely say though, after having the issues with both my Ibook adapter and my MacBook Adapter if this continues to happen my next computer will again be a PC. For the price you pay for a laptop, their power cords are simply too expensive to be continuously buying them, for the price I've paid in Power adapters between my two laptops I could have bought a brand new PC! Apple needs to listen to it's consumers and fix this issue!

62 of 126 people found this useful

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

So FRUSTRATED!!!

Written by KK from Iowa City

Aug 5, 2009

I just purchased a new power cord a year ago and now I have to replace that, too. This makes three cords for a four-year old computer. Not only that but I have to replace the battery yearly, and yes, I am careful to calibrate it and limit energy consumption.

Come on, Apple. The deplorable state of accessories and products really speaks volumes. The fact that I have to replace a power cord every year is ridiculous. Quit making such junk!

50 of 113 people found this useful

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

Amazingly terrible

Written by LR from Omak

Aug 5, 2009

Bought my MacBook 3 years ago. I'm on my 4th power cord. Granted, I do take the cord between work and home, but its a laptop cord, right? Isn't it supposed to be portable?

43 of 103 people found this useful

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

Worthless

Written by MH from Phoenix

Aug 1, 2009

If I could buy an equivalent to this product from another brand I would. What a piece of junk! It looks really nice when it comes out of the box but it seems they spend more money on the packaging than in the manufacturing. I bought my second one after 1 year!and it's already falling apart, the plastic connection between the part that plugs into the computer and the cable has separated and the cable is exposed and now unraveling. And I hardly use my computer!
I hope apple considers investing some money in quality control and manufacturing, it really makes me wonder how much the pay the people in china that make these adapters
for whooping $80 I expected much better quality. What a rip off!

31 of 93 people found this useful

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

2 Years and going

Written by ML

Jul 31, 2009

I have had my 17" MacBook Pro for 2 years. I bought it in August of 2007.

I have also bought dozens of MAC's over the years for my Printing, Graphic Design, Web Site Design Development and Hosting company.

Before that I was a large Mainframe Computer Operator and Computer Science major since 1980. I have used computers of all types, shapes and sizes.

First of all, When I first bought my MacBook Pro I searched for any issues that others might be experiencing. The number one problem was(and is) the power cord. I discovered this early, and had only wrapped the cord around the brick 2 or 3 times.

I move my computer a couple of times every day. In and out of my backpack. To store the power cord in my backpack I never leave the extension connected to the brick. I make a 6" loop and wrap the extension and put it in the backpack. I then do the same with the Brick/cord. 6" loops and drop it in my back pack.

I do not over load my backpack or crush the power cord with other things on top of it. I have not had any issues with my power cord.

I have owned everything Mac since my SE/30. By far this is the best Apple Product I have ever owned(I don't have an iPod or iPhone).

I still feel this is the baddest(and I mean that in a good way) laptop on the planet. If you do your due diligence on anything you buy you should not have any surprises and can prepare for any potential challenges.

From what I hear there is a newer designed power cord on the market. If you use your local Mac Dealer/Store and build a relationship with them, any issues you are faced with will be taken care of in short order.

63 of 81 people found this useful

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

Am I just lucky?

Written by SS from Indianapolis

Jul 29, 2009

To me, the MagSafe has been a great adapter. I'm going to get a second one though so I don't have to be handling it too often. Does that mean I am fairly solicitous of the thing? Maybe so. I guess after decades of using electric teaching equipment I learned that the cord is always fairly delicate - second only to the bulb if it has one! Treating the cord gently just "goes with the territory." No crimps. No pulling on the wire. No winding it too tight. And thanks to the magnetic connector - no accidental disconnection by my active dog has broken a wire!

73 of 78 people found this useful

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

FIFTH power cord in 4 years

Written by TT from Langdon

Jul 28, 2009

Absolutely HORRIBLE product. Apple, for making such great computers, please please please improve on the power cords....this is costing me a FORTUNE!!!

29 of 94 people found this useful

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

great adapter

Written by BR from Mountain Lakes

Jul 26, 2009

This is a great adapter and charges my computer fully in 2.5 hours. The MagSafe is a great tool for when your laptop sitting on a table.

74 of 81 people found this useful

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

Yes I'm a bad parent

Written by AD from Halifax

Jul 23, 2009

Ok so our toddler has twice grabbed the Magsafe and stuck it in her mouth. Both times it would still power the computer but not recharge the battery. About a month after the first time, it miraculously started working again, unfortunately she's done it again and the same problem is back. While I'm very glad it doesn't electrocute her, I'm a little disappointed baby spittle is enough to fry the thing and cost me 100$. After 25 years of only ever owning Mac I think the software is better than ever and the hardware quality (pre aluminum anyway) seems to have gone downhill...

13 of 103 people found this useful

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

So far so good

Written by AH from Ringgold

Jul 23, 2009

I have had my power cord for two years. I pack it up and take it home everyday of work. I've never had it fray or melt. I know I don't use the storage horns, instead I roll up my cord. That might be why it has lasted fine. But overall, the magnet feature has definitely saved my Macbook Pro from falling off the desk.

77 of 83 people found this useful

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

Not Reliable

Written by BB from Rigby

Jul 22, 2009

I have bought 3 of these chargers and they all stopped working. They don't have any damage they just don't work. Please Fix it... It's such a good Idea...

17 of 92 people found this useful

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

Garbage

Written by MW from Macungie

Jul 22, 2009

Nice Design, doesn't hold up at all, using my Mac Book Pro as my primary computer the charger is on it alot after a year of solid use it had become so brittle and so hot that when I got up to move the laptop and pulled the mag lock off it split, I had to cut open the cable and resplice it awaiting a new one.

10 of 81 people found this useful

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

Good design, poor reliability

Written by TL from Tuscaloosa

Jul 20, 2009

My wife and I have owned three MacBooks (two Pros and an Air) each using Magsafe power adapters (the Air uses a smaller, lower powered version). I'm sure that the magsafe connector has saved each from being pitched onto a hard floor from a table on at least one occasion -- so far so great.

In general, the power bricks are well-designed. You get a power-cord or direct plug attachment (the latter being more portable), and I leave the cord on my desk so I can just snap on the adapter without crawling around. The real problem is that the cables aren't well made and the power supply itself seems to be unreliable.

Our first adapter's cable frayed just next to the connector. This is a common problem and of course it's impossible to fix or replace, so we ended up buying a replacement. Just two days ago another of our adapters simply stopped working (the LED indicating it's working doesn't light up -- it appears to power the MacBook but not recharge its [new] battery). I googled the problem and discovered it's not uncommon either.

So ... that's another one down the gurgler.

14 of 87 people found this useful

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

My Solution to Melting Charger Land

Written by AA from Freehold

Jul 20, 2009

First of all, I understand all of your concerns. My charger has lasted me close to 2 years now and nothing has gone wrong. What I do is I take the extender (long cable provided with the charger) and use that instead of the foldable metal tabs. Then I keep the charger on my table to keep clean. As a side effect the charger gets air to keep cool even after charging for hours on end. Lastly, you CAN wrap the wire around the tabs they give you, just be gentle and kind of slow. It keeps everything neat AND it keep the charger from over heating and melting down. Truthfully, I was extremely shocked at how all of your chargers melted down. Maybe it is just my room. I don't know. Just follow what I did and tell me if it made a difference! Enjoy!

80 of 86 people found this useful

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

caught fire

Written by SJ from Oakland

Jul 17, 2009

add mine to the list...looked down and the cable was on fire-it had cracked open near the strain relief...

13 of 89 people found this useful

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

A complete piece o' garbage

Written by LR from Hatfield

Jul 16, 2009

My laptop is literally not even a week old and the adapter already doesn't work. Can't wait to try and get it replaced.

12 of 93 people found this useful

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

Handling an egg

Written by MG from Worcester

Jul 15, 2009

From the extreme reviews for this device, usually "great"... or "it s-cks", it's clear that there is a great deal of variability in its manufacturing process or quality control. Since an oil field worker can use it daily in harsh environments for 2 years without a problem, and I gently use it for 2 days without ever wrapping the cord and yet find a rip in the outer cord sheathing, I can say it's not always the user's fault. The quality of the plastic and the durability of the strain reliefs need to be improved. However, because so many people have reoccurring problems, I wonder if this can always be attributed to bad luck with an iffy product or if indelicate handling plays a role.
There are a few mentions in the reviews on how to take care of the cord and magnetic connector. Any electrical cord will eventually fail if it is frequently stressed at the same points. So instead of wrapping tightly around the provided plastic horns, wrap it in a circle and use Velcro, a twist tie, or whatever to constrain it. Alternatively, don't make the tight bends always in the same place; spread out the stress. And especially try not to put any stress on either ends of the cord where they are most prone to breaking. When removing the magnetic terminal, grab on the solid part, never the wire, and pull up or down to release the magnetic grip, not straight out. But whatever you do, treat the cord as if it were an egg. It may be hard boiled and can withstand a lot of punishment, or it could be thin shelled and prone to fracture. However, even a delicate egg can be tossed at length and caught without breaking if handled correctly. I'll write back in 6 months and see if I've got (fried) egg on my face.

17 of 88 people found this useful

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

This is # 3 and I hope not counting....

Written by MD from Henderson

Jul 14, 2009

If you asked me about Mac’s 18 mo. ago I would have told you that there is noting like a PC and now, an iMac, iPhone and a BookPro later as far as I'm concerned PC can just not exist. However I am very disappointed in in the design of the power adapter for the BookPro. The first one (original) lasted me about 12 mo., the second about 45 days and the current (# 3) is on day 4. As I learned to appreciate the absolutely outstanding design and functionality behind apple this apparent design flaw has me stumped. If the power adapter for the iPhone was discovered to be defective and replaced immediately, why is there still nothing being done about the BookPro and from the looks of all of the review here I am not the only one with this problem. I will be calling tech support tomorrow to see what I can do about replacing these not so cheep parts hopefully at no charge. Also I hope that the new BookPro’s are using a new generation power adapters because that would be my #1 reason not to upgrade to the new 15” BookPro which I have been itching to buy. Outside of this issue Apple is still the greatest creation of all times, however its little cracks in the foundation like this, that can bring down even the greatest tower ever build.

16 of 89 people found this useful