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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.

2512 of 3281 people found this useful

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

AC adapter meltdown

Written by EC from New York

Jul 28, 2007

Hmmm...the computer is 15 months old and exactly 13 months in use. Tender, loving care has been provided, and the adapter never leaves the house.....however, base connecting point of the AC adapter's nifty magnetic head just started to smell of melted rubber; now it is looking melted and i can see the wires inside! Sure enough it will stop working shortly! Should i buy a new one? sigh.

2444 of 3168 people found this useful

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

A great redesign, improving all former issues

Written by AF from Las Vegas

Jan 15, 2008

Please, be aware that nearly all (I read most) of these reviews are referring to the older model MA357LL/A (A1172)... the current model number is MA938LL/A (A1222). The product listed here was released in the Fall of 2007, making a lot of these reviews inapplicable.

I, much like all these other reviews, had an issue with my original MacBook Pro power adapter that would now be 11 months old. I had no melting or anything like that, but over 10+ months of wrapping and unwrapping the wire, the casing of the wire was starting to pull back from the boot, exposing the bare wire. I would even dare say I was "easy" or "tender" with it, so I'm not sure how people who were "careful" still had issues.

I was recently informed that in the Fall '07, Apple released a redesigned Power Adapter (the one listed here), so I thought they might give me one of those nice, newly redesigned ones. I made an appointment with my local genius bar, and they replaced my former, fully functional, but slightly discomforting Power Adapter with few questions and no hesitation.

The new Power Adapter is smaller, I would say around 1/2 inch shorter, and 1/4 narrower. Obviously it is the same standard thickness, because it uses the same modular plug used with most all Apple power adapters made recently.

If you have issues with the old one, don't post a bad review, go get a replacement. Odds are that if you have an issue with your Power Adapter, it isn't even the one listed here. I wish Apple would list the serial number and that it is a revised product in this product listing for obvious clarification.

My ONLY complaint is that the charger is at least $20-30 more than it should cost, which is the only thing limiting me from buying a spare to leave at work.

283 of 315 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.

212 of 257 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

185 of 222 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?

161 of 203 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...

129 of 144 people found this useful

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

Wiring burns...

Written by MB from Redwood City

Sep 15, 2007

After about 1 month of fairly regular use the interface between the cable sheathing and the magnetic connector caught pulled apart. At 3 months something shorted and the wiring burned -- like a match strike.

Next time I'm going to wrap duct tape around that junction to reinforce it.

And, of course, no one within 100 miles of me (Apple Stores, Best Buy or Frys) has another 85W MagSafe in stock. It's a beautifully designed product -- just not very durable and, apparently, the supply chain management could be better.

123 of 152 people found this useful

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

Has worked fine for years

Written by IB from Blacksburg

Jun 1, 2009

I've had my adaptor for three yrs, w/ no problems whatsoever. (As another review points out, I disconnect the adaptor by gently tugging the cord upward or downward, *not* pulling it straight out, which requires much more strength, and I could see that doing so would eventually pull the wires apart.)

I do *not* use the clip-out prongs for wrapping the cord around. That inessential part probably wouldn't stand up to excessive wear.

96 of 105 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.

132 of 179 people found this useful

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

MagSafe Power Adapters Work Fine for Me

Written by BP from Georgetown

Jun 30, 2009

My household has 3 MagSafe power adapters and we have not had any problems with them. I am careful with the cords having experienced cord/connector problems with the pre-MagSafe generations of adapters. Rather than winding the thin cord around the provided "ears" I loop both cords without kinks and secure them with a velcro strip that I attach to the AC end of the adapter.

Never had a problem with heat.

One drawback is the cost.

92 of 102 people found this useful

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

85W mag safe power adapter works fine.

Written by EH from Rockford

May 28, 2009

My wife and I bought new Macs around Christmas time 2008. One 15 inch MacBook Pro one 13 inch MacBook. We use the Macs many times throughout the day. We have one adapter upstairs and one downstairs. They mostly lie on desks until we plug in the Macs.

I just checked both adapters and they look fine, esp. the insulation and the mag safe end. Never had one get hot.

91 of 102 people found this useful

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

An Excellent power adapter

Written by JC from Powell River

May 6, 2009

I've had my MacBook Pro since January 2007, it came with me just about every day out in the oil and gas fields here in Northern Canada, in some of the worst conditions that most Mac owner wouldn't think about taking their computers. Dragged from home to hotel to job site to a high pressure pumping unit caboose.
I have not had an issue with the Power adaptor at all. Works perfect, save my MacBook Pro from hitting the ground many times. I take care in wrapping up the cord and storing it securely in my case.
How people are getting frayed cords and such, it's beyond me.

92 of 108 people found this useful

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

No one I know has a shoddy cord

Written by CF from San Francisco

May 29, 2009

I found it really odd seeing all the bad reviews with melted wires. I've never had issue with mine. Actually I love it compared to the really horrid plug they used to use in the older powerbooks -- I went through 3-4 of those and destroyed my power connected inside the computer.

I also know dozens of people who own macbooks and none of them have had an issue with melting cords. I'm not saying that some aren't having problems, but it does make me wonder if it's not just a vocal minority.

89 of 103 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)

So far, so good...

Written by ES from New York

Jun 14, 2009

The new adapter, with minor design enhancements (smaller brick, thicker jacketing) is fine improvement. I think this one is going to be ok. Don't abuse your cable and it should last for years.

83 of 93 people found this useful

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

Meltdowns?

Written by BP from Vancouver

May 7, 2009

I am surprised to read all these "meltdown" reviews. We have 4 magsafe adapters in the family and I have never seen one even get hot. I think people don't take enough care wrapping up the cord thereby breaking the wires at the plug or adapter end thereby causing a short.

92 of 112 people found this useful

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

These work fine.

Written by NH from Lynnwood

Apr 24, 2009

These work fine. I haven't seen one fail in under 3 years yet. If you don't mistreat your gear then you shouldn't have problems. We have ~25 Macbook/Pro's and have had one power adapter failure. The reason it's rated so badly on here is because the only people who have written reviews are the ones that have had failures. If it works fine, why write a review??? Right? Right.

82 of 92 people found this useful