Customer Reviews

Original Apple 60W Power Adapter (T-shaped Connector) for MacBook with AC Extension Wall Cord

5 star:		(93)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(47)

 

 

My wife's white Macbook's original power adapter's cable ripped and was no longer reliable, so we needed to get a new one. Luckily, I checked Amazon before I checked out at Best Buy and paid full price. This is a valid genuine Apple replacement adapter, just at a cheaper price.

I'm not rating the design of the adapter. This product, however, does what it should -- it replaces a faulty power adapter for a Macbook.

There's a major flaw in design of this apple power adapter, and
it's the ultra thin cord and its common point of bending at where
it connects to the macbook, specifically at just before the magsafe
ending. After using my macbook for a year, the cord suddenly smelled
like it was burning.. the covering on the cord melted off.. sparked
smoked some more.. then kaput completely, argh! googled cost for new
one, $80 bucks a pop. Checked out apple's site for reviews on same
adapter and same problem came up with others.. over and over again.
I luv apple comps., but this power adapter is faulty. Go read the
reviews at apple's site! Almost 600 now, and most negative.. having
same burnout happening to others in usually same spot. I suggest
contacting your local apple service center and getting the tech
support number with Apple and talking with them before dishing out
your mula. I'll grab a new one if they don't replace, but will
definately re-inforce this area around magnetic end so as not to
create a stresspoint that breaks the connection. Just a heads-up.

HEY, the MacBook Air-style adapter is finally available and the price is the same. Ditch this old junk and buy the new one.

The comment below applies to the Apple original adapter, not knock-off or used items.

Although we Apple product users have been spoiled by the ingenious design found in the power adapter since the second generation of PowerBook Titanium was introduced almost eight years ago, there are still serious flaws.

I will mention the timeless and positive elements first.

1. removable/exchangeable power connector. This allows you to leave the long power cable connected in the office and at home, and just switch out the flip-prong plug. This way you don't have to bend down and unplug the whole cord, not to mention the weight saving when you travel.

2. for the same wattage, Apple's adapter is far smaller and lighter than other notebook brands' adapters or other 'Apple compatible' after-market adapters.

3. although nothing new, the MagSafe connector provides added protection when someone trips over the cable or if you accidentally 'run' away with the MacBook/MacBook Pro.

4. you may buy an expensive 'figure-8' connector at each location that you frequently visit, so you don't have to hunt for AC outlet each time you need to use your power adapter.

Now, the ugly.

1. to make the power cord more flexible, the material inside of the cable is prone to wear and breaks easily (breakage inside cannot be seen unless you X-ray it).

2. after seven years of problems, Apple has learned to turn the power cable 90°. The biggest problem with the side-accessed design is that we often have materials next to the computer as we work, so those cables and connectors just get in the way. Inevitably, we turn it 90° to route it to the back. Worse yet, sometimes the connector is bumping against the way and accelerate the wear. This feature, unfortunately, was made available on the MacBook Air. It's been that way with the MacBook Air since introduction almost two years ago. However, this design has only recently been utilized on the MacBook (unibody) connector. This glacial change will finally make it across the entire product line, but only Apple knows when.

3. do not use the 'ears' for coiling the cord. If you must, be sure to leave about 1-2" of cable looped (not bent 90° immediately as the picture suggests). Coiling the cable repeatedly as illustrated would accelerate the break down of the power cable.

4. For no reason at all (polarity is not an issue, because the flip plug does not differentiate polarity anyway), Apple makes a non-standard figure-8 connector. This makes the non-standard cable unusable on previous version Apple adapters, even though there is absolutely no risk of mixing up the polarities. This is a wasteful design in more ways than one. First, it uses more plastic to fill up the cap. Second, it makes the cable not as useful.

I wouldn't buy one between December 2009 and February 2010, because I strongly believe that the new adapter (MacBook Air/MacBook plastic unibody style) will take over this flawed design very soon.

I am on my third adapter in the past year, the plastic wire cover breaks at the connecter and no longer functions. After the first two went out I was extremly careful about using this cord and it still broke! and as Apple has a patent on this product I cant get one by a different manufacturer, I am stuck ordering yet another one. Let me know if someone is starting a law suit over this one!

Both of my children have macbooks, they use them at home, and they are careful enough with them. BUT, the power cord adapters keep breaking, fraying off at the point where the wire and the connector meet. At first I thought maybe the children were mishandling them, but after the first go-round, they were so careful, and still the problem returns. At $80 a whack, this is getting outrageous! And using a frayed adapter is dangerous, no?? Hello... Apple... wake-up on this issue...this is a defective product and needs a recall/reissue.

Amazon selected a seller that sent me a non-apple substitute for my purchase. It failed electrically after two hours of use - burned through the cord and melted the white plastic. We have two other true Apple adapters in our household and I would rate them 5 stars. After three weeks of waiting for the seller to resolve this issue and another week of waiting for Amazon to resolve this issue, nothing has been done about my faulty, fake charger. I rate Amazon no stars and will NEVER use them again. In summary, an Apple charger is a fantastic product, but don't purchase it from Amazon. You will not get what you are expecting, neither in product nor in service!

Despite the claim in the write-up which states that this comes with an AC cord for maximum length, none was provided... It has the DC connector only.

I ordered an Apple power supply last August 2008 through Amazon.com from Brilliant Store. Without my prior knowledge, they sent me a Chinese knockoff 'Replacement AC Adapter Model no. A1184.' My daughter has been using this supply with her MacBook. Tonight, the power supply melted down, literally, and became a very hot wad of white plastic. Needless to say, it doesn't work. I am very disappointed in this supply. It is dangerous to use. The title of the supply clearly states "Apple MagSafe 60W power adapter." This is not an Apple supply. This supply had the same current rating as the original supply. Avoid this supply and avoid future fires. Buy ONLY genuine Apple adapters for these computers!

The cable insulation is delicate and wears out at the magnetic end making it unusable at the least, and a serious safety hazard at the worst. As if that wasn't enough, the adapter is too pricey for frequent replacement, and there is no way to replace just the damaged cable.

That being said, I found it OK to purchase one from third party sellers. I was hesitant at first because of the low price, but after recently ordering one from "smart_parts_usa", I think it is a good deal. The item comes without the extension cable, but if you are replacing an older adapter, you probably still have the extension cable anyway.

Another voice with the same experience: I use my Mac with care, no special handling, and the cord frayed and got very hot just at that juncture with the magnetic head. AppleCare took care of the situation, and within 48 hours I had a new one (although they shipped only the central element, and not the plug nor the long cord that attaches to the outlet). That's okay with me because I have those parts from the original. But the inconvenience of even losing just one work day is very frustrating, because that's what happened, at a time when I couldnt' afford to be idle.
I wish someone would invent a competing product of the same kind, with magnetic attachment, because that is a great idea. When your dog sidles up to you and sits on the cord, it's good that the cord will simply detach. (And no, I don't believe that activity is enough to account for the fraying and loss at the magnet head.)
Poorly done, Apple!