Apple MagSafe 60W Power Adapter for MacBook - MC461LL/A with Extension AC Wall Cord (bulk packaging) [model# A1290, A1172, A1184]
by Apple Computer
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List Price: Our Price: $39.00 You Save: $63.16 (62%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $24.40 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple MagSafe 60W Power Adapter for MacBook - MC461LL/A with Extension AC Wall Cord (bulk packaging) [model# A1290, A1172, A1184]
Customer Review: Dumbing down of the American consumer
Summary: 4 Stars
Whoa. In seeking to replace my MacBook power cord I have come across a host of weird reviews in myriad websites, including Apple dot com's.
First, let me say my MacBook has worked nearly flawlessly for two years. I purchased it only because my Series G3 couldn't keep up with OS X advances, and my software became obsolete (so much for Mac's early promises to maintain compatibility down the line!).
Towards the end of the warranty period my MacBook experienced a boot-up problem but the local Apple service reps initialized and re-loaded the hard drive under warranty and it's worked fine since.
The power cord? I think the MagSafe idea is great. I keep mine plugged into the wall via the long cord. The outlet is behind a dresser and in pushing the dresser close to the wall it causes the cord to bend sharply, which has resulted in enough overheating over time to turn the insulation brown at the bend. However, the integrity of the cord is still intact.
The thin output cord, the part everyone seems to be complaining about, has caused me no problems whatsoever as far as fraying, etc. What did happen was that my wife found the MagSafe head lying in a puddle of cat urine. Inspection of the head showed a short-circuit which blew out one of the four mini-pins in the head. I hope the cat got a good jolt out of it for its indiscretion.
None of this is really a big concern to me. Yes, $79.00 does seem a little pricey, but what the hell.
What is of concern to me is the fact that if there were truly a design flaw, everyone would be experiencing the problem. So what factor is separating those who complain from those who are having no problems? On the face of it, it appears to be... spelling! Those who insist that the MagSafe has a design flaw seem to be unable to spell - or generally unable to write a complete sentence, for that matter.
First and foremost, the part in question is a CORD, not a CHORD. Nearly all the whiners misspelled this ridiculously simple word. A chord is many things (in geometry, music, engineering and medicine) but it is not what you plug into your laptop.
Why would poor spellers as a group experience problems with the MagSafe head fraying and burning? In my opinion, poor spelling is part and parcel of a more serious underlying problem: lack of attention to detail.
Yes, the cord is narrow and delicate, but this allows for more unfettered use than if the cord were thick and heavy. All that needs to be done is to prevent the cord from kinking or being pinched, because this will cause it to overheat at that location.
My fear is that the many folks who complain about the design of this product are lazy, unattentive sluggards who lay on their power cords or wind them carelessly or otherwise knot them up.
My apologies if my comments appear to be condescending. The fact is, I'm no better than anyone else - after all, my cord was destroyed by cat pee - and how disgusting is that? I must admit, though, I'm a stickler for spelling.
Customer Review: Ingenious!
Summary: 4 Stars
- This review is for the original Apple product -
This thing is another great innovation introduced by Apple. My power adapter came with my Macbook. I was so impressed by the idea that it was one of the selling points for me to get the new Macbook. No more trip the cable and there goes your laptop to the floor. The end of the power adapter is a strong magnet; strong enough to keep it plugged-in, but easily disengage when accidentally tugged. One end of the square adapter has a neat pair of flaps that opens up like butterfly to be used as a spool for the cord when not in use. The 2-prong tip is also removable so you can use an extension cable for a much longer reach.
Cons:
- Alas, this power adapter is also one of the weakest links for the Macbooks. 2 years after, I have to wiggle the end to make the adapter work. Intermittently, my laptop turns off in the middle of whatever I am doing. I even checked that magnetic contacts were clean to make sure that that is not the reason for the the laptop misbehaving. After a trip to the Genius bar, they just have to officially announceit it; the adapter needs to go. Searching the internet, I found out that failure is not very uncommon for this particular product.
- Pricy
Customer Review: You won't mistake it for a Van Gogh, but it's merely imitating a Warhol.
Summary: 4 Stars
It seems odd to give this knock-off adapter a higher rating (by a wide margin) than the genuine article from Apple (perhaps the most maligned of all Apple products--there are websites dedicated to litigating the item out of existence). Frankly, I was expecting, as has been my experience in the past, a heavy-duty, decidedly indelicate adapter that would be adequate for use in my office. But the adapter you get is the cute and handy traveling model with the fold-out prongs and the two snap-out levers for wrapping the cord around.
This copycat version won't fool Apple connoisseurs. It lacks the indented Apple logo on the sides, the alignment of the two parts is far from tight at the joint, and the prongs are just a bit too stiff.
But it performs out of the box as well as the original and at half the price. Moreover, no one will know you're not up to Apple code except the user. The only question that remains concerns durability. Given the number of these I've had to replace at higher prices, I'd be surprised to be terribly disappointed on that score.
Customer Review: Apple MagSafe Power Adapter Could Be Better
Summary: 4 Stars
The original adapter that came with my MacBook has served me well. After dealing with numerous PC cords over the years, I can say the MacBook's is superior, but in need of continued development. The cord looks a little delicate, so I take care not to wrap it too tightly when stowing it away. The breakaway magnet idea is great & I'm sure it has saved my computer from a nasty fall. As for the unit becoming hot with use, depending on where I plug it in, the adapter can heat up and become uncomfortably hot to the touch. I work and study in some very old buildings, with who knows what type of electrical wiring. My only serious qualm is with the price. I wanted to purchase an additional adapter, in case I leave the original someplace, but now I'm thinking twice.
Update, Aug. 2010:
The flip out prongs are a little fragile. I picked up a replacement for mine for about $10. Unit is still going strong after about 4 years. Cord in good shape.
Customer Review: decent charger for the price
Summary: 4 Stars
I ordered this after I had lost my original MacBook Pro charger (or so I thought), and I was relieved to find that the delivery came within the next two or three days after I placed my order. The charger is not the same as a regular Apple-made charger, and I was a bit disappointed with the lacking strength of the magnetic connection between the charger and the charging slot on the MacBook itself. It would often fall out or become easily dislodged, unlike my original charger. Also, the charging light remains lit up for quite some time, even after being unplugged from the laptop itself.
I later found my original Apple charger and quite happily resumed using it, though I am pleased to have this as a backup charger in case I ever misplace my other one again. This is definitely worth the slight flaws for the significantly lower price, compared to buying a brand new Apple brand charger.