Apple MacBook Power Adapter - Is There A Problem?

I’ve owned my Macbook now for about 5 months without any issues with the MagSafe. However, I will admit being careful using it since the cord from the computer connection to the power brick appears to be somewhat fragile. I can certainly see how some users could have a problem with this portion of the cord (Separating either from the power bick or connector.)

As for price, the cost for the Macbook power cord/supply is comparable with what I paid to replace a Dell Inspiron power cord a couple of years ago. I would note that the Dell power supply cord seems to be much more robust.

Hi Tim,
Thanks for your comments and for sharing your experience with us.
Ron

I moment ago I noticed my black MacBook was acting like the power cord was not connected, yet the power cord was connected. I noticed the charging light was off and reached to the the magsafe piece to jiggle it. It was hot, and I noticed the cable’s insulation near the magsafe head was beginning to turn brown from the heat.
Good thing I was using the computer when I saw this occur. Otherwise, I do not know how hot and burnt/melted/shorted the power cord would have become.

I’ll take a picture.

I’ll be taking it to the Apple Store this morning to see what they say and do.

Hello Dean,
Please let us know what happens.
TIA, Ron

Same experience. Just got the “you’re running on battery power message” with the MagSafe plugged into a 2006 MacBook Intel). I looked at the power cord and saw it was burnt and melted at the point where it goes into the magsafe jack. Like others, I’m off to the Apple Store to (presumably) buy a new one-it’s Saturday morning and I can’t wait several weeks to recharge.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I wrote a long winded post about this n my blog about a month ago. But long story short, if you need a replacement fast, offline, try calling in the part number to apple or best buy. Online, try PowerBookGuy - email first, they answer pretty fast. Then try Amazon, it will say on their page that handling takes an extra day if they’re not in stock, but if you order overnight shipping you’ll still get it pretty fast. Finally, online you can go to the Apple site, but don’t expect them to ship in less than 5 business days.

No kidding - FIVE days.

I had the same problem with my charger for my macbook. The wires started to spark near the magsafe adapter and the sheath melted, exposing some of the wires. I took it to the Apple store, and after much wheeling and dealing they finally gave me a new one free of charge (my macbook was OUT of warranty). After reading many posts on Apple’s website regarding this issue, it appears that many ppl are just buying new one’s. DO NOT buy a new one, get Apple to replace it for FREE. Make sure to tell them that this is a very common defect (just look up the customer reviews for this product at apple.com), and that it creates a serious fire and safety hazard. If you don’t get anywhere, ask for a manager, and don’t take no for an answer.

I bought my macbook about 14 months ago and a few days ago I noticed the power adapter got all burnt and melted where the adapter meets the macbook. I could see the wires and I’m suprised it didn’t break off. I printed up this page along with the reviews from apple.com for the power adapter and took them to the apple store with my adapter. I told them it seemed like it is a common problem and I wasn’t going to pay for a new one (as nice as i could) even though I was out of warranty. When I showed them how many people are having problems they quickly brought me a new power adapter and I was out of the store in less than 5 minutes. Although it is the 3rd time i’ve had to go to the apple store with a problem regarding my macbook. This will probably be the last mac I buy.

Hi James,
I’m glad this helped you get a new adapter. I wouldn’t give up on the Mac though. Both Dell and HP seem to have adapter problems as well.

Regards, Ron

I’ve had the same problem and have had two friends who have had the same problem. Here’s how I fixed it. I took apart the apple adapter wire and saw that it’s built much like a cable for a television with an external wire and a center wire. I then took a cable wire apart (about 4 inches) and twisted it together and then wrapped it round and round the external apple adapter wire. I then took a hot glue gun and coated it once it went around the existing broken apple wire. The wire connected the two and then I wrapped electrical tape around it and plugged it in. It works perfectly but looks silly. Still, I’ve saved about $200 for all three and am happy to share this technique with everyone.

It only takes about 10 minutes at most to fix so it’s incredibly fast.

Thanks lawrence for you comments and fix. I did another article posting your suggestion.

http://www.lockergnome.com/blade/2008/02/03/apple-two-wire-power-adapter-here-is-a-fix/

Regards, Ron

I can affirm that my HP entertainment laptop does indeed have issues with the power cord recepticle. I don’t think the
cord itself is the problem here. It appears to be the jack.My friend has a macbook it has issues with power cable and recepticle, it appears to be across the board problem with laptops.

i just got a macbook the other day, i got it used from a friend and his bro apperantly had the same prob, so he gave the adapter from this one to his bro. so i have to buy a new one, is there any difference from the ones at apple that cost $80 and the ones at amazon that cost 40?

I am sorry if I am resurrecting and old post, but I was beginning to wonder if anyone has actually measured how hot one of these MagSafe Power Adapters gets? I do not usually think to check these sorts of things, but today, I left some change on my desk, and one of the quarters found its way onto my power adapter. The quarter got really hot; almost burnt at the touch.

Do other companies have issues with power adapters and heat? How hot do other adapters get?

If no one knows, I think I will take a reading tomorrow on this MagSafe.

Ok, here is the deal with my macbook power cable. This thing has been driving me crazy for the last few days.. Here is my story. I bought my 13″ Macbook eight months ago. Within the first two weeks the factory power adapter started to hum. It wasn’t very loud but it was very annoying. I kept thinking my refrigerator or some other appliance in the house was about to go on the fritz. I finally figured out that it was my mac power cord. I called Apple and they sent me a new one. Now eight months later listen to this: I noticed my screen flickering one night and thought that weird, then I noticed that the little green light that connects to the computer was very dim..I unplugged the adapter from my computer and the little dim green light stayed on..Strange huh? That’s not the end of it. Now the power plug wouldn’t charge the computer at all. My battery was being drained and when I plugged in the power cord to the computer the light stayed a dim green, but it should have been bright orange red indicating that the battery was being charged. I went to the mac store the next day to have it tested. They plugged it in and guess what..I freakin worked fine. I looked like a complete idiot. I came back home plugged it in and guess what..? It freakin worked again…GRRRR. A couple hours later it stopped working and showed the same problems listed above..I tried different outlets in my house everything you can thing of to troubleshoot what the heck was going on.
I figured it out. It was rather simple. When the power plug gets hot it does not want to work correctly. I did an experiment. I let the plug get hot, then i noticed the plug stopped working. I unplugged it from the wall and computer and put the darn thing in the refrigerator for 10 minutes and tried again..Think it worked?…Of course it did..Now I am going to the apple store and will plug my computer in and let that sucker get hot so they will know I wasn’t crazy in the first place.

Come on Apple get it together please..I payed a lot of good money for this thing the least you could do is gimme a power cord that actually works right.

I am slow at visualizing what to do to fix this myself… … Could you guys email me pics of what to do or better yet make a youtube video… im sure it would help a bunch of people… you said something about “then took a cable wire apart (about 4 inches) and twisted it together and then wrapped it round and round the external apple adapter wire”…. how do i do this part?….. Where do I get a cable wire?…HELP!…. THANKS!

My power adapter just did the same thing today. I have had it for quite awhile now though, so i’m not sure why my cord is the one that lasted longer than everyone else. But I did notice it was hotter than usual last night. I have also had the experience of the light turning a dim green instead of vibrant or the orange/red color.

I’m really hoping that this is just due to the heat issue and allowing a time for it to cool down will help. I dont really have the money to get a new one (even if $80 is a “reasonable” price for a new adapter.)