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Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Piece of Junk

Written by AS from Ewa Beach

Sep 21, 2008

As with some of the other comments about flying on American Airlines (AA), I also flew on AA, and my MacBook pro indicated it was charging, but in reality was not. Then, at the end of the flight when I unplugged it, this thing literally fell apart. Broken. First time I used it too. What a waste of 50 bucks! It deserves less than one star, but that's the lowest there was to rate this thing.

25 of 42 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Doesn't work on American

Written by RB from Ann Arbor

Sep 1, 2008

First, the stars don't really count for this -- it probably works just great on airlines where you get a good power flow, but it does not work on AA. I have tried it on two separate 767-300 flights, and the power did not work. I am going to assume it is an AA thing, and that this particular charger just doesn't pick up the charge properly from the power port -- since many reviews indicate it has worked flawlessly for them, I would say do your homework before buying. It might work for you.

It did not work for me on two separate trips. Fortunately, The Apple Store took it back and refunded my money, even though there was supposed to be a restocking fee. I thank them for that.

29 of 39 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Doesn't Work

Written by JB from Glencoe

Aug 26, 2008

I've used it on a number of flights (AA) and while the light is 'green' the battery drains. If I jiggle it, I believe the power drain slows for a bit, but it's unstoppable. This is a garbage product.

30 of 60 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Damaged power connection

Written by MM from Dallas

Jul 28, 2008

So I do not know if it was the outlet that was fault or the adapter itself, but I recently used this on an American Airlines flight. The computer eventually shut down - which was strange as it should have been receiving constant power from the adapter. I took it out and replaced it and the computer continued to work - but eventually died again.

Upon returning home it would not power on at all. They got it to turn on at the Genius Bar, but though the normal wall charger was plugged in and recognized but would not charge the battery. This episode with the adapter damaged something the connected the power source to the battery and charged it.

I'm not sure of what it was that caused these problems but I am not wary of using this product.

(However, fortunately for me - Apple Care was great and fixed the computer very quickly).

41 of 71 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Not for Delta economy though

Written by JS from Atlanta

Jul 24, 2008

Sounds like a great idea, but I recently took two international Delta flights & the plugs in the 767s I was in did not fit this adapter, nor did the USB power outlets provide power to my iPhone or iPod. Good idea, but I have yet to find a Delta economy class seat where it was actually useful.

52 of 72 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Beware of this product

Written by JB

Jul 2, 2008

50 dollars for a cord that just keeps your mac alive(doesnt charge it) and works ONLY in planes is just a waste. Even a spare battery would work better ad they are like 120 or 130 dollars. This was just a waste of my time because it is kind of hard to keep track of the small pieces you need. I reccomend avoiding this product.

54 of 136 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

50% Useless

Written by RM from Sleaford

Jul 2, 2008

This product works well in planes, but WHY didn't they design it to work in a car too. When buying this with my new Macbook Pro, not mention was made of it's inabilty to deal with a 12v car charge! Only in the small print of it's own page is that mentioned!
Disappointed!

72 of 134 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Does not work as advertised

Written by WM from Cambridge

Jul 1, 2008

As others stated as well this adapter does not prolong the battery life of the MacBook Pro at all. I have now tried it on 4 different AA flights from London to Boston. In every case the battery drained out at the same rate as if I had just been running on battery alone. Its actually worse because the machine thinks it is getting a charge so there is no warning when it cuts out.

50 of 88 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

doesn't work

Written by AS from Saint Louis

Jun 28, 2008

I agree with the previous reviewers, but after I lost the plug twice I'm now more careful and don't forget them now. I just wish apple would just sell us this part without having us buy it again. I just upgraded my computer to the latest powerbook and the adapter doesn't seem to hold my battery charge and while the computer knows that it is plugged in (charge symbol is present), the battery level slowly drops. what gives here?

21 of 46 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Does not work as claimed

Written by AC from Fort Lauderdale

Jun 23, 2008

Although the adapter does appear to provide some power to a MacBook Pro the battery runs out just the same. I regularly fly across the atlantic and using this power chord I get about 4 hours out of my new MacBook Pro rather than the 2 I would get on battery alone.

To last the entire trip I had to get an inverter and use the regular bulky power adapter...

Like many Apple products and accessories, a good idea poorly executed.

26 of 41 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Only one use before joining the lost club

Written by CW from CHICAGO

May 31, 2008

I left my tip behind on the first use. There is always a better way do things to prevent people from loosing money no matter what individuals should have done. I didn't think I needed to check that all the pieces pulled out. I pushed it in as one unit and I should have pulled been able to pull it out as one unit. The airlines are no better because I tried calling lost and found and I guess the flight attendants don't turn them in. Maybe I can purchased mind back off of ebay! I like buying things twice!! Apple needs to sell the 20mm tip separate. I an not purchasing the whole thing again. I know it is my fault for not checking because I didn't read the reviews to know to check, so I have no problem buying the piece I lost, if it was sold separate.

74 of 159 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Need Work

Written by EP from Chicago

May 27, 2008

It is in apple's best interest to make this device so it is harder to leave a part behind. They wouldn't have designed it to come out the computer so easily if they weren't at least shooting to make it idiot-proof. This should have some kind of clip to keep the adapter in place.

66 of 166 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Apple Magsafe Airline Adapter

Written by RR from New Port Richey

May 5, 2008

I join the legion of 20mm adapter losers. My fault. Won't happen again. (Although for some, experience is recognizing a mistake the third time you make it!)
That having been said with the number of people leaving them behind, it makes good sense to offer a replacement 20mm tip for sale. What do you say, Apple?

PS Keep up the good work, Apple, I'm happy to be back in the fold after a 20 year sojourn on the dark side.

174 of 253 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Apple should try harder.

Written by DW from Madison

Apr 25, 2008

Works like it should, but like others have said, it's very easy to leave the tip in the plug. For the uninitiated, the plug is under the seat where you can't see it, and you're often in a hurry to get the thing unplugged before the stewardess, er, flight attendant, yells at you. It would have been a no-brainer to design it so this couldn't happen. Ball-detent, bayonet, threads, etc. It's not rocket science.

121 of 234 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

POOR DESIGN- FLAWED

Written by JM from Dallas

Apr 24, 2008

The 20mm adapter stays in the plug when you unplug it. It also falls off easily. So
as a result I have left two of these on airplanes. I know its my fault but Apple should sell these little adapters solo. This is a common problem. It is a design flaw if so
many people are writing these over and over. HORIBBLE to have to buy 50-75 adapters every time I fly. ARGH.

104 of 216 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Too expensive...

Written by MK from Sherman Oaks

Apr 21, 2008

First, you can easily leave a book in the seatback. Does that mean it's the book's fault? Don't leave your stuff behind, and don't blame Apple if you do.

Second, not ALL planes offer this plug. Is that Apple's fault? No. You carry it with you so you have it if you need it. Very modern systems use 110V AC now (allowing use of your standard power adapter and battery charging), but there are thousands of aircraft out there with these DC style power outlets. Even Continental has these connections on their 767s and some 777s, while they have 110V AC on other 777s and 757s. This product is a lifesaver, far from 'useless.'

Providing a "clip" or "locking mechanism" would mean apple would be going against a standard. All other products out there that use the empower/"cigarette" converter mechanism are designed this way, with no clip. Just friction of the connection holds it together. Should Apple increase the friction? Then you'd have complaints about not getting it apart.

back to the product: it does what it says. Take your battery out. Airplanes don't provide sufficient DC power to charge many modern Intel laptops. But it should cost $29, not $49. My guess is the added cost is for liability...

76 of 132 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Sell 20 mm adapter replacement separately

Written by RH from Santa Barbara

Apr 21, 2008

This is a good product, but like many others who weren't aware of this risk, I left behind my 20 mm adapter in the airline socket while hurrying off the plane the first time I used it. It would be a very customer friendly move by Apple to sell replacement 20 mm power adapters separately.

32 of 48 people found this useful

Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Great product

Written by AG from Miami

Mar 19, 2008

Great adapter. Easy to carry and use and have not had any problems. Like the small size.

98 of 174 people found this useful