Alternate to the crappy Apple Magsafe power adapter

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08-08-2009, 11:35 AM
Brain

Alternate to the crappy Apple Magsafe power adapter

So my gf's power adapter for her macbook died again, for the 3rd time. This is the 60W version, as it is an older macbook. First apple brand one died last september or so, replaced it with a $90 apple one (plus a 60 mile drive to pick it up), and it broke a month ago. Didn't want to pay another $90, so we tried out an off-Brand (from "batterymonster" on ebay) for like $20, and it also died.

Are there any other options? She has been VERY SUPER DUPER careful with them since her first on broke, she babies the darn cords.

Would an 85W work with a macbook? I think it will, and if it does, it might stay cooler, since they all have seemed to melt right around the area where it connects with the computer. I'm going to call apple monday and see if I can get a warranty replacement on the apple one, since they have a 1 year "limited" warranty on them....we don't have the receipt, so I doubt I'll get anything out of them.

Any suggestions? Besides "Don't buy macs", yes I know not to buy them, she bought it 2 years ago.
08-08-2009, 11:43 AM
senrath

Thats...odd. I have 5-6 year old powercords from Apple that still work fine.
08-08-2009, 11:48 AM
Brain

guess we just got some lucky ones....I'm able to get a refund for the cheap one we got, which is great, we might try out the 85W cheap one, if that break maybe the 85W apple one...Not looking forward to testing them out though, since money is really tight right now :(
08-09-2009, 07:10 AM
Mr.Klean

Hmm, the 85w one should be just fine as long as the voltages are right. 85w is just the max wattage it can provide.
08-09-2009, 07:24 AM
Brain

right, and I'm thinking if her macbook is running the 60W at max, it gets hot. So if I get the over rated one, it will operate at a capacity lower than max, thus keeping it cooler, and NOT melting and arcing in the ends like the last 3.
08-09-2009, 08:27 AM
Mr.Klean

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brain

right, and I'm thinking if her macbook is running the 60W at max, it gets hot. So if I get the over rated one, it will operate at a capacity lower than max, thus keeping it cooler, and NOT melting and arcing in the ends like the last 3.

The other three melted and arc'ed in the ends? For some reason I don't think that was just the 60w load. They should have a fuse in them that should go when load exceeds x amt
08-11-2009, 02:12 AM
Brain

yeah =/ well I called apple, and after 20 mins on the phone (mostly on hold) they just asked "is it working?" I said no, and they are sending me a replacement. They charge me for it until I send the old one back, then I get my money back.

So I guess I'm impressed with the customer service at apple so far.
08-11-2009, 02:49 AM
senrath

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brain

yeah =/ well I called apple, and after 20 mins on the phone (mostly on hold) they just asked "is it working?" I said no, and they are sending me a replacement. They charge me for it until I send the old one back, then I get my money back.

So I guess I'm impressed with the customer service at apple so far.

Once they messed up something on my sister's computer when she sent it in to be fixed so they, in addition to fixing the problem they created at no extra charge, gave her a free 80gig iPod.
08-11-2009, 03:21 AM
golumpa

i have never heard any thing like this before
i have a friend that has had 2 mac books and he has never had a problem with them ever
08-12-2009, 04:01 AM
Brain

very impressed, they used fedex, and priority overnighted the charger to us, and priority overnighted the broken one back to them. When I get my refund for the hold they put on my money, I'll be super delighted.