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

Tips to prolong the adapter life

Written by LS from Kirkland

Oct 30, 2009

I've had my MacBookPro since March 2006 and have used it almost daily as a student then as a professional. I have not had to change my adapter until now. It is wise to not allow your computer to be plugged in continually after it is charged, as to prolong the life of the battery (my battery lasted 3 years with cycling and my boyfriend's lasted 1.5 years without cycling) and it also prevents the base of the laptop and adapter from becoming so hot.

I have primarily used the grounded 3-prong cord and lifted the mag connection at the base (I don't pull it by the cord). It is true that the bulky adapter cannot plug into certain outlets well and may block the other outlets so I got used to using the 3-prong cord in the beginning. After use, I wrapped the cord around the ears of the adapter and secured it for transit. Recently I got lazy (past month) and I gathered the cords and put them into a large sleeve in my laptop bag a few times. Needless to say, my cord burned, frayed and became a hazard to use. Yes, Mac should revamp the adapter. Until then, use the 3-prong, let your battery cycle, lift the mag at the base, and wrap the cord around the ears. These should help you get the most mileage out the adapter and battery. Good luck!

7 of 10 people found this useful

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

Way too hot !

Written by SL from fort lee

Oct 18, 2009

I love the look and size of this unit, but because the power supply is encased in a plastic air tight casing it gets very hot, especially if the laptop is running graphics and the power supply is not in a well ventilated area.

I highly recommend Apple make this a vented unit, with possibly a aluminum casing.
I once fell asleep with the power supply on a pillow on the coach and when I woke up the unit was so hot I could barely touch it.

11 of 12 people found this useful

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

Fryed cord

Written by EP from Newport

Oct 16, 2009

I have had this for a few years, but the cord has completely fryed at the mag end. I thought i left it under the cpu, wich is extremely hot. But for none other then the cord has completely fell apart.

8 of 8 people found this useful

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

Works well, but not a quality product.

Written by CS from Hattiesburg

Sep 10, 2009

I love all of my Apple products, and am a very big fan of the company. I just purchased my first replacement adapter for my MacBook Pro after one year of ownership, not because my adapter quit working, but because the rubber around the cable that connects the MagSafe cord to the adapter is coming out of its connection... It's just sliding out for some reason. I can see the wires that are underneath the protective covering, and thought I should probably purchase a replacement before I electrocute myself. I've never had this happen to my PC charger, and this is something about which Apple should be quite embarrassed. They make superior products, but some "accessories" are quite sub-par in quality.

19 of 41 people found this useful

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

Warming

Written by DS from Mount Laurel

Sep 2, 2009

The adapter itself occasionally gets very warm to the touch when I am gaming or watching movies with it in place. It has not interrupted service and I have not noticed any melting of any part, but I am aware of the potential when it's in use. When the computer is plugged in and charging, and not in use, it does not seem to get warm.

11 of 35 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)

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)

meltdown for me too

Written by KH from ASPEN

May 4, 2009

melting powercord and smell of plastic and I can see the frayed wires... this really should not be happening!!! Ordered a new one so I guess I will see

21 of 103 people found this useful

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

Warning...warning...take action

Written by SG from Kaneohe

Apr 16, 2009

My power cord (MacBook Pro) started to fail after 18 months of use. It started melting around the power connection to the computer. I thought I was extremely careful while using it, but it is time to get a new one. Luckily, it has given me warning signs and I can buy one before the current one finally fails to function. Some people have claimed in their reviews that if you take care of it, it will not melt. I will have to disagree. If it gets too hot, it will melt. This hasn't sent me running away from my MAC, but maybe the APPLE techs can focus some of their attention on correcting this problem instead of just inventing new things for us to buy and play with. I'm glad I came across everyones comments, because I learned:
1. Several people have had this problem.
2. The Apple store doesn't always keep this item in stock.
3. Just go ahead and order by mail for $79
4. Expect it to happen again until the cord is improved.

9 of 71 people found this useful

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

A good product bogged by a simple design flaw

Written by SC from White Pigeon

Mar 13, 2009

In the first weeks of having my computer I had 2 opinions of this adapter: the magnetic connection is a genius design. And within 2 weeks I knew the thinner length of cord would be a problem.

For the reviewer who stated these issues are from 'mistreatment', obviously you have never moved your MacBook. This is a *laptop* cord- the manufacturer must expect this cord to be wrapped up for transit and design it accordingly.

It's the common sense side of engineering/product design- and as an engineer and designer, the flaw is quite obvious. I only travel with mine occasionally, and have always, always left quite a large loop where the smaller section of cord comes out because it is such an obvous weak spot. For some it may be an abuse issue, but I suspect many of these reviews are not. I was lucky to have had my MacBook Pro for over 2 years before I had to replace this adapter- had it traveled with me I'm sure it would have happened much sooner. It is simply unrealistic to expect users to have their cords stretched perfectly straight in all conditions- and all it takes is a small curve over time to cause it to wear, the coating to crack and the cord to fray.

Worse, the fix is relatively simple- the ends of that portion of cord need to be supported. I am not upset that I needed to replace a computer component, but the design could be MUCH better- and that level of design is, I think, what their loyal users have come to expect.

31 of 57 people found this useful

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

MagSafe Power Adapter is great, the cable sleeve is not.

Written by MH from Herrliberg

Jan 12, 2009

The design of the first (larger) Power Adapter had a bigger flaw, but I guess the newer one still has it: After longer use the cable near the MagSafe connector will break, first the outer conductors (shield), then the inner ones. The reason is the sharp bend of the cable near the MagSafe connector. A better tapered plastic sleeve would help. What a pity that a breaking cable can ruin the nice adapter.
The symptoms are not charging (depending on the position of the cable) first, then the conductors getting hot up to melting the isolation.
I just had to repair myself one of them, as the Apple store declined to replace it after two years of use. Fortunately only the outer conductors were broken yet.
Procedure:
1 remove the additional sleeve at the connector to get to the shield wires there
2 remove some of the outer isolation of the cable to get to the shield there
3 solder a stranded wire to connect the shields again
4 finish it off with shrink tube with melting adhesive inside.
Not nice looking (the tube is black) but it works.
You do need some experience with soldering. (I am an MSEE.)

45 of 52 people found this useful

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

Much of the same...but

Written by JC from Bristow

Dec 24, 2008

I have now had to replace my third MegaSafe charger in 15 months. I love my MAC, but if you are going to buy one you HAVE TO BY THE PROTECTION PLAN. When the charger goes out I make a ten minute call and they send a new one out to me in a few days. I am not sure what other people are doing though to get the wire to expose. I currently own three chargers and have never had that problem.

7 of 8 people found this useful

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

mag adapter...hot

Written by FC from COLLEGE STATION

Dec 12, 2008

my adapter worked fine. I just started to notice that it was hot when I pulled the adapter away from my MacBook Pro. Now the wire as it inserts into the magnet part is frayed. The company, however was great and is replacing it. As far as customer service they've been great. I had a battery melt in the back about 4 months ago and replaced it free in 48 hours.

12 of 12 people found this useful

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

some good, some bad

Written by CK from VIRGINIA BEACH

Nov 30, 2008

I have a 60W for my MacBook that I've had for over a year, other than becoming way too hot most of the time, no problems so far (knock knock). My wife's brand new (2 mos at the time) MacBook Pro has the 85W and it failed, and became a fire hazard to her office at the same time. Before that even, at times it would fail to charge or operate her machine at all. Of course, this was immediately after opening her own business and her first Mac experience after I convinced her switch.

11 of 14 people found this useful

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

Getting Your money Back

Written by RR from Kingston

Nov 20, 2008

Hey everyone,
the cord on my power adapter also melted and I just bought a new one from the apple store. If you take in the melted cable, they will refund the money back, because according to the workers, it is "impossible" for them to melt. So lo and behold, if you show it to them, they'll reimburse you. So yea, it's a pain to get a new one every time it melts, but hey, they'll give it to you for free!

29 of 32 people found this useful

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

Scared to continue using it.

Written by TL from Lafayette

Nov 3, 2008

The charger that came with the computer worked for about 7 months. I noticed that it was using the battery while plugged in, and the indicator light was off. I went to adjust the plug in the wall and the white block burned my fingers very badly, almost like touching a hot pan.

I let it cool off for an hour and tried it again and it still works, but reading reviews and seeing other reports makes me nervous about continuing to use it. I don't know if it just got really hot or if it shorted out. I can't find information from Apple about this, only personal reviews.

8 of 14 people found this useful

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

Mine too...

Written by JG from MAKAWAO

Oct 12, 2008

My 85W MagSafe Power Adapter has split where the wire connects to the power source. I admit I haven't been an angel with it, but I have also been aware and careful in its transportation. Based on all the other reviews, I'd say it's time to add a bit of good old Mac quality to this particular part of the otherwise excellent MacBook Pro experience! (And give me a free replacement while yer at it!)

19 of 19 people found this useful

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

Longevity an issue... Apple service, Genuis!

Written by WW from Saint Paul

Oct 8, 2008

Like many of the other posters, my original macbook pro adapter started having issues in the wire, close to where it connects to the laptop, it wouldn't continue to deliver power.

Since my laptop is long out of warranty I figured I would be shelling out $80 for a new one, but decided to take into the Genuis bar for the heck of it. They gave me a new adapter at no cost, once again affirming that Apple creates a great customer experience.

26 of 31 people found this useful