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

Meltdown after 9 months

Written by JT from Grosse Pointe Park

Aug 11, 2007

I am and have been very protective of all parts of my MacBook Pro, but recently the junction of the MagSafe tip and the cord to the main power unit has begun to melt and fray. This has rendered my MacBook Pro nearly unusable, as I have no way to charge it.

I hope this unit has been redesigned to safely carry the 85w of power without destroying the unit.

2482 of 3247 people found this useful

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

You are losing us....

Written by CC from Clarksville

Oct 28, 2007

I have been a mac user for 20 years. I have converted countless others. I can't do it anymore. First, the Macbook Pro gets too hot too touch and whines like crazy, then the battery bulges and stops working entirely, now the magsafe power adapter melts. I cannot run my computer and will have to wait one to two weeks to get a replacement. I am furious. The iPod and iPhone have done something to Apple. I have never experienced such poor customer service or product design. And what will you do to help a person who has spent an average of $3,000 a year for the last 20 years on Apple products? I am still waiting for that answer.

210 of 254 people found this useful

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

holding on by a thread

Written by EK from Winthrop

Dec 2, 2007

I am typing this review with only one hand. The reason for this is that my other hand must constantly hold the wire into the magsafe connector or else the connection will fail and my computer will die. come on apple!!! admit that the design is faulty and start a recall. obviously when there are 10+ pages of the same bad reviews: that the connection between cord and magsafe connector melts/frays and ruins the cord there must be a problem!!

utterly disappointed

183 of 219 people found this useful

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

Just as bad as most reviewers have indicated

Written by BH from Corvallis

Oct 31, 2007

I'm writing this review on my MacBook Pro with a 46% charge left on my battery, when it runs out I will be without a computer for as long as it takes Apple to send my new charger. Like others have complained, my charger frayed and fried after 13 months. I love Macs and have had little, in anything, to say against them. This is the first time I've honestly been disappointed with Apple. Could they not have spent an extra 25 cents in making the charger, and saved me $79?

160 of 201 people found this useful

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

Apple 85W portable power adapter

Written by EJ from Wilmington

Jan 2, 2009

Steve Jobs,

Hey buddy. I've been working on your Macs since the mid-90's. I'm a filmmaker and have been working with FCP since v1.0. I've worked on and purchased an array of laptops, towers, software and many other toys from your company.

I'm pretty upset that Apple has fallen below acceptable standards with the MagSafe 85W portable power adapter. I'm very protective of all the gear I own from you guys, however my power adapter has started to fray at the magnetic end and I'm now forced to purchase a new one.

It'd sure be nice to receive a new one for free!

Remember buddy, there's a certain pride that your audience has with Mac. Mac users genuinely enjoy your company. However, green-lighting products like this from R&D and not issuing a recall to all of your loyal customers is not cool.

Please keep in mind we all know that the cost to you for a power cord is not $80. It's just like the USB and FW cords that retail for $35 but really only are $1.24 at cost to you.

Not cool. All your other toys are, but not this one...

125 of 140 people found this useful

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

Why must they melt? Fix this Apple, please.

Written by JS from La Grande

Nov 15, 2007

I have had this for 15 months now and it, much like all the others have stated in the numerous reviews is starting to melt through. The melting is on the computer side of the power adapter.
I called Apple twice about this issue and the first guy said that this is where they're seeing many problems occur, and the other guy said they have no known knowledge of this problem and to take it to the Apple store or buy another one.
I even stated that the reviews for it right here all all saying the cord is doing the same thing and Apple did not recognize it.
I hope this gets fixed by Apple soon because I now need to buy a new one for my otherwise perfect Macbook Pro. Still wouldn't buy any other product but Apple though, they just need to address this on issue, and fast.

130 of 177 people found this useful

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

Power Adapter

Written by TM from Los Angeles

Aug 20, 2007

My MacBook Pro is like a boyfriend to me, and has been trated with loving care since I got it 1 year ago. That said, due to an unfortunate set of events, my old power cord was chewed by the family cat. I was disappointed that the Apple stores did not have them in stock. I ordered mine online and when it arrived it worked great...for 3 days. After that...nothing. It does not produce power of any kind to my MacBook. I am very disappointed with this new adapter. Come on Apple...get it together.

97 of 125 people found this useful

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

One year and 8 months before mine burned up...

Written by DL from Two Harbors

Jun 12, 2008

So I, like hundreds of others, was unfortunate enough to own this fire-hazard of a product. I've had my MBP for almost two years and have had spotty performance with my Magsafe adapter the entire time, but last night, it gave me quite a scare. I reached to unplug the adapter and was nearly burned - it had gotten alarmingly hot. I then noticed, like many other people, that it had overheated and began melting due to the weak connection between the cord and the Magsafe end of the adapter. I take excellent care of my computer and this is unacceptable and indeed scary.
I bought a new one today at my local dealer and found something surprising: The model is different. My old adapter from nearly 2 years ago is model number A1172, whereas my new one is model number A1222 and the "brick" is considerably smaller. Better yet, the little rubber sleeve that hides the connection between the cord and the Magsafe end of the adapter is slightly longer; almost double the length, and hopefully will provide a stronger connection. At first I thought I bought the wrong one, but it is indeed the 85W MBP adapter. Let's hope that this slight redesign gives me - and everyone else - some better luck.

76 of 93 people found this useful

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

Macbook Pro 85 watt power cord is GARBAGE

Written by HW from Bremerton

Apr 24, 2008

Once again the Mac power cord is designed poorly. The cord frayed at the connector joint where it plugs into the computer. I tried electrical tape at the first sign of trouble to no avail. Eighty dollars is a rip off for a cord poorly constructed.

This is the second model of an Apple computer that has had a bad power cord design. My last Apple laptop previous to the Macbook Pro also broke. I carefully remove the adapter by grasping the adapter plug and do not pull on the cord itself and still they break. Hard to believe they can't come up with a durable design!

Best Buy carries replacement power adapters but as usual, there is never a sale or discount anywhere on these. I would rate the power adapter a negative 10 if I could!

86 of 113 people found this useful

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

Refund please

Written by KD from Hampton

Oct 30, 2007

I can see I'm not alone in my absolute dissatisfaction with this product. I've been using Mac's since 1987, this is my 4th laptop. Things seem to be getting worse, of course, I cannot retrieve information from my laptop that I need now because the lousy cord failed. Now I learn I'm lucky it didn't set t fire. If apple cared about its customers it would give every macbook pro owner a new cord free. I'm only giving it one star becaue I can't figure out how to give it minus 5.

76 of 101 people found this useful

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

Cord melted and is shorting out

Written by LH from Xenia

Dec 19, 2008

Just a day ago I noticed that the small cord coming out of the adapter block was showing wire and was very very hot. Today it is worse and started to not charge b/c of the wires not connecting. This is a problem that Apple needs to sort out most likely with thicker wires so that so much stress isnt put through such a small gauge wire.

58 of 69 people found this useful

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

Power Adapter Smoking Smell, loose & Super HOT

Written by YT

Dec 20, 2007

My power adapter was suddenly smelling like it was melting, and became SUPER HOTTT to the touch. I cannot believe it. something so unnoticeable yet is potentially very harmful. This could of caught on FIRE, if left alone at home as I am sure many MacBook Pro owners presumably do.

Please APPLE, This must be RECALLED, and I Would like a REIMBURSEMENT ON MY PURCHASE OF A NEW POWER ADAPTER.
This is an absolute Danger, and a Fire Hazard right in front of you. Be weary.
My power adapter is never abused, never tugged on, and always pulled off while holding the "block" (magnetic block) and pulled gently away. Entire system, power adapter block & cord gets proper ventilation with nothing surrounding it in any fashion.
PLEASE RECALL THIS POWER ADAPTER. THIS ACTION IS A LIFE SAVER, AND RID YOU OF LAWSUITS.

61 of 76 people found this useful

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

TERRIBLE "PRODUCT"

Written by DL from SANTA MONICA

Jul 16, 2008

Just as almost EVERY review has mentioned, this garbage power adapter frayed, then melted. And what a surprise! It costs $80 to replace! Yet Apple hasn't fixed these problems, I see (similar reviews from July 2007). Why would they!? They get another $80 every time there is a MELTDOWN.

Going to the Apple Store to see what the "geniuses" have to say about this one.

55 of 66 people found this useful

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

Just a quick way for APPLE to make an extra $80

Written by TC from San Francisco

Mar 19, 2008

Not even a year old, my macbook charger cable has broken off completely from the magnetic base. This wasn't the biggest deal until I saw that a replacement will cost $79. And then I read the hundreds of reviews on this site that ALL had the same problem. This is very troubling to see from Apple. A widespread problem that affects so many customers should be taken more seriously. It's obvious that a better designed, more affordable charger cable has been needed for quite some time, so get on it, Apple! I've already spent good money on my macbooks, ipod, i phone, and apple tv.now a $80 charger that's just gonna break again? stop ripping me off!!!!

60 of 79 people found this useful

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

Needs to be recalled

Written by BB from Peabody

Dec 19, 2007

Like many other users are experiencing, the sheath of my power cord has pulled away from the magnetic plug end, leaving wires exposed. As a result, my battery is no longer charging properly. I thought the whole point of the magnetic end on the cord was to protect the power supply and computer from damage.
As a first time Mac user I payed nearly twice as much for my macbook pro as I would have for a comparable pc because I believed that it was a higher quality product. The fact that Apple is ignoring this widespread product failure and has not offered to replace this faulty equipment leads me to believe I was mistaken.

51 of 62 people found this useful

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

design flaw. somehow apple maintains it's a customer flaw. . .

Written by TB from Swampscott

Dec 14, 2007

cord trouble here, as well. first the cords sheath started to pull away at the ends so that the metal wire underneath was exposed down by the body of the charger AND at the magnetic end. then the magnetic end started to show signs of future burning - slight smell, discoloration.

I can deal with faults in a product, as long as the company takes responsibility. I went to the apple store and the "genius" tried to tell me it was all my fault. I brought up all of the bad review and issues I had read here and he told me that's because people don't take good care of the chargers and noted that he had never broken one himself.
yes, people misuse products, but if this many people are having trouble, chances are there is a design flaw!

50 of 61 people found this useful

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

I'd tell you not to buy it, but you don't have a choice

Written by JB from Brooklyn

Oct 31, 2007

This is a fantastic idea but the product is unsafe and fragile. I expect a power cable to last more than 1.5 years. What's more frustrating is that I am forced to spend $80 to replace it after its cable has frayed and smoldered under my desk. It is disheartening to read that other users have had similar experiences where the device actually becomes dangerous even while used properly.

BTW - I have been a dedicated apple fan for over 15 years and am especially inconvenienced because the power adapter became a fire hazard while installing the new operating system which I can no longer install.

61 of 84 people found this useful

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

Broken after only 1.5years

Written by MB from Fort Myers

Sep 30, 2008

When the little green light didn't turned on recently, I first thought that it may have been an issue with the power strip I was plugged into. I later found out that in order to make the adapter function, I had to twist the magsafe wire where it meets the adapter box until the little green light came on. More recently, I've come to realize that when I do this, little green sparks sometimes fly out of the funnel shaped rubber piece that attaches the wire to the box. I suspect this problem came from continuous use of wrapping and unwrapping the wire using the fold out clips. Don't use the fold out clips! Always give the thinner magsafe wire slack before wrapping it. Also, never pull on the wires when picking up the adapter off the ground. If you do, you will eventually break the fragile electric wires inside like I did. It looks like I'll be buying a new $80 adapter because of this issue.

45 of 53 people found this useful