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

Unit Broken

Written by JL from Norwalk

Nov 13, 2009

Well I had it for my MacBook and after about 1 year the unit broke. My dad had one for about 2 years and his is fine. Even after he got black ink all over it... I think it's a problem with the newer power adapters... I bought a 60 Watt one now. I hope it works better. But if apple would fix this problem it would be really good. It has a nice design and plan and yeah...

4 of 5 people found this useful

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

Eh

Written by MO from Pearland

Oct 28, 2009

This is my 3rd charger!!! I will admit, the 1st one, I drop a few good times, then I dropped it on a wooden floor and it gave out a few days later, but my 2nd one, I took pretty good care of, and it didn't even last me as long as my first one! The 2nd one broke in less than a year! I misplaced my receipt so I couldn't even do the stupid warranty. I'm definitely putting the receipt for this current one in a good place... and I'm hoping if it gives out, it does so before the 1 year warranty is up, so I get a new replacement! But I'll still treat it like a new born baby, because these things are EXPENSIVE! I'm a broke college student! I almost cried when I had to dish out that 80 bucks, but I need this computer. MACs are awesome, their power adapters, not so much. Oh yeah, college students, there is a 10% discount on these when you go to the store, take advantage!

7 of 7 people found this useful

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

Design something better!!

Written by CC from Franktown

Oct 10, 2009

I am on my third power cord in 3 years because the two outside prongs keep frying. At least come up with something that replaces just the magnetic top part that you could splice into the existing wiring.

5 of 6 people found this useful

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

Love/Hate with my Mac

Written by RS from Philadelphia

Oct 5, 2009

I just got Mac Book last year, and we've already had to replace one charger because of the flimsy chord that broke. I love my Mac, but still. Now my charger has a burning plastic smell every time i use it. It also creates a loud buzzing noise, like a bad television signal. Mostly, I'm concerned about the burning. The adapter get's really hot. So hot, that it's hard for me to hold it even after ten full minutes of inactivity. I find the condition worsens one hundred percent if the computer and charger (apadpter, chord, whatever.) are on at the same time. At first, it just happened a few time, but now it is occurring almost every single time I use my charger. I am hoping that my computer warranty includes the charger, because this is the second time I have had a problem.

Also, I have problems with the software. It often freezes up, leaving me to erase all of my hard work (I am student) by using the force quit option. It especially bothers me when I am trying to use the Force Quit option and that too is not working. I really wish that Apple would focus more on these little things, because these are the reasons that most people can not warm up to Macs so easily.

I love the warranties that they have for the Macs. They cover most things, wether they be their fault or not. Last year my mother broke the screen on our Mac, and within two weeks time we were able to replace the screen and keep all of the data that was previously stored on it.

Overall, I love the fast-quality of the Mac and the user friendly outlook. At first I had some issues, but I can now easily navigate through the many features it incorporates. If it weren't for these few difficulties that were listed above, I would give it five stars. Ma really needs to work on the small things, and the big picture will be even better!

2 of 7 people found this useful

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

Cool at first

Written by KC from San Francisco

Oct 2, 2009

I too have a MacBook Pro and the magnetic adapter was pretty cool at first. Now it has pulled apart. I don't know if the plastic has actually melted but the magnetic hold is so strong that from about 18 months of pulling on the cord to disconnect has pulled off the protective plastic and now cords are exposed. Magnetic hold is cool at first, but now it is a pain. With the new charger I have to make sure I gently tilt the charger to disconnect it, gently, without any pulling.

12 of 19 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)

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)

Bad cord

Written by JW from Seneca

Sep 14, 2009

The cord is separating from the magnetic tip now it says not charging half the time I plug it in. It is BS that a replacement costs so freakin much! Just because I bought an apple doesn't mean I'm made of money!

16 of 33 people found this useful

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

Good design but questionable quality...

Written by CH from Henderson

Aug 31, 2009

On the design side, I love this thing. The magnet has even saved me twice from sending my machine flying. So there's that.

That said, I'm on my third adapter for my Oct. 2008 MacBook Pro. Oddly, I never had an issue with the one on my original MacBook, but the ones on the Pro haven't been that great to me.

The Apple Store replaced them without a hitch so, in kudos to Apple on that. (I'm here writing this review because I was looking up the price as I probably have to purchase another one tomorrow since I left my nearly brand new adapter out of town. Bleh.)

17 of 45 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)

More power cord issues

Written by JM from Banff

Jun 29, 2009

Looks like I have had the same issue. The cable fried itself where it joins to the adapter box. I do like the fact that you can switch the length of cable, that is quite handy. And I have had my MacBook Pro for three years... but this is a fairly well known, consistent issue. Too bad. Other than this i've been happy with Apple products. Strange that they haven't fixed or recalled this product, seems to me to be a safety concern.

22 of 106 people found this useful

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

Power Adaptor is troublesome and a safety hazard.

Written by AS

Jun 18, 2009

Well, this is the second adaptor I have had to buy and this last one was so hot it melted the surge protector I had it plugged in. Its a neat design, unfortunately it has two major flaws, they are a safety hazard and do not last long. Its starting to get a little spendy trying to keep my MacBook working. $80.00 is alot of money to me right now, as I was let go from my job a couple of weeks ago. I agree with the other reviews, something needs to be fixed or changed with these adaptors or Apple should replace them at no cost due to the design flaw.

32 of 115 people found this useful

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

onto number 3+

Written by TA from Montgomery

Jun 9, 2009

it charges the computer just fine; and its a lot easier to replace than most computer PSA's.

however; ive caught 3 on fire already.

Apple replaced 1 under warranty, and ive bought 1 replacement. Its part of business, I guess. (the last 2 burned at opposite ends... so i spliced them into one massive long power supply, hence the 3+ title)

yes something needs to be reworked or recalled; but until then, im going to continue buying new ones with ease nationwide.

46 of 135 people found this useful

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

Starting to go ....

Written by MH from WATERLOO

Jun 7, 2009

Mine was fine for 2.5 years, but its now starting to get hot where the cord meets the brick, and battery flickers from charging to discharging.

(So to all you smug people who say "no problem with mine" ... your time will come!)

26 of 108 people found this useful

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

I'll join the rest in the rant of "TOTAL MELTDOWN"

Written by JF from fall river

Jun 6, 2009

I bought my Macbook in the spring of '06 and I guess I can consider myself lucky that it just now melted and malfunctioned at the base of the brick??? It actually sparked at me today before it completely burnt out (I had previously taped the wire a certain way to maintain the connection!) I do love my Macbook dearly but I find it a little ridiculous that there are so many people clearly not happy with these chargers and Apple still has not addressed the issue AND now I have to spend another $100 or not use my machine at all. Come on Apple!

39 of 122 people found this useful

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

Meltdown

Written by CM from Southfield

Jun 3, 2009

I Have taken good care of my macbook pro, and had no problems until now that the junction of the MagSafe tip and the cord to the main power unit has begun to melt and fray. I have no way of recharging the unit!!!!!

35 of 119 people found this useful