Can't wait to see the rabid Apple fan boys rationalizations for this ...

I always find them so amusing

I'm an apple "fanboy" and i had my magsafe replaced already because it started to fray... what's your point, AMetamorphosis?

Mine broke too, and I HATE THEM FOR IT! J/K

Bah, it sucks... crappy manufacturing.

Still dig the laptop though. I just wish I could get a 3rd party power cord and battery.

I'm all about the third parties.

@AMetamorphosis: There is no rationalization. I love Apple but even Im getting pissed off at what could be a simple 5 cents fix of re-enforcing the GOD DAMN MAGNET.

I have replaced it twice, once out of pocket for my spare connector. And once through Applecare for my normal one.

Oooh, oooh, my 360 got the RRoD too.

So I've had MS and Apple both take dumps on me. Oh wait, MS paid me back after they extended their warranty.

Still waiting on the check for 80 some odd bucks from Apple.

The Day Job's cable melts his office desk is the day they will be fixed.

Call AppleCare. They will go through the whole thing about your laptop being out of warranty. Just tell them from the start that there's a problem with your MagSafe adapter.

When mine frayed and started to smoke they immediately replaced it. I was heading out of town the next day, so they had me go to my local Apple store for a replacement.

Be prepared: they're going to ask you a zillion weird questions!

Apple has had badly designed power adapters since the yo-yo model and the Powerbook G3. Many end up fraying and sparking under normal everyday use. Sadly most Apple Store employees will try and blame the customer and call it abuse when attempting a warranty replacement.

Any mac owner who doesn't also pick up the Applecare is really missing out. Having had to replace my magsafe cord was annoying and I was afraid that I was about to fry the computer but having had applecare they quickly swapped out the faulty one at the store. No hassle, no fuss. I'm sure it will fail again and at that point I will go back to the store for another one. Not such a big deal.

i would also recommend going to an apple specialist, rather than an apple store for warranty swaps of power adapters. those places usually have a little more flexibility with what they can/will accept.

@AMetamorphosis: Can't wait to see the rabid Apple haters argue that a faulty power adapter tarnishes the entire platform.

I always find them so amusing.

Seriously, though, there's no excuse for this obvious problem. Apple has a history of wilfull ignorance about these sorts of things. I hope my magsafe isn't a time bomb.

I have had my macbook for a year and the MagSafe adapter is already gone. The brick part that goes on the macbook has an exposed cable. I also have a dell laptop that I purchase in 2005 and the power cable is in pristine condition. I love Apple products, but have to pay $79 every year for a power cord is not cool. Apple needs to step up.

@nequam:

Not an Apple hater ... but amused by how many Apple Fans have already felt compelled to respond ... lol

( My other half is an Apple Fan boy & we are a PC / Apple household )

I rarely use a Mac but my wife does, and she is constantly frustrated with power adapters breaking on her. With that and the inflated cost of Macware I have a feeling she's going to be migrating to Linux soon.

@e10: I second the Applecare advice. My iBook was cursed with a faulty logic board, or something along those lines. I just figured the microscopic hamster turning the wheels inside had died. They took my computer, shipped it off, and within a week, I had a new computer, with practically no questions asked. Every new computer I get from Apple will also have the 3-year Applecare with it.

If people didn't treat the power cables so poorly, they wouldn't fray. Mine shows no sign of fraying or being damaged. When you treat expensive products well, they will last you.

@wesa: Agreed, I've had my macbook and its original charger for almost two years now, I bought them in May of 2006 when they came out, and have had no problems.

I think this is probably being caused by people wrapping up their chargers and leaving them in that wound and spooled position to long. I hardly ever wind it up, and if I do its not for more than a few hours. Same thing happens with video game controllers.

Apple made a horrible mistake in their advertising showing the magsafe connector "popping" out. That's the worse way to remove it because it puts all the force on the wire and removes the connector in the direction of the strongest lines of magnetic force. It's one thing if happens once in order to prevent the dog from pulling the computer off the table, but I don't think that's how it was designed for removal after each and every charge cycle.

I think you're supposed to lift up on the plastic body of the connector and peel it up to remove the magsafe. Although, that doesn't change the fact that the connectors are poorly constructed in terms of strain relief, it should help in stretching the life of the connector.

Magsafe is a brilliant idea, just not quite there yet.

As far as the fanbois and anti-fanbois; put a lid on it. It's a computer, that's all it is.

@wesa: "...wondered how this could have happened after extremely meticulous care of my notebook (to the extent that I can count on my hands how many times it's left the house)."

Kids, Reading is Fundamental!

@dailyrorschach: If spooling the wire up damages the cable, then they shouldn't provide a snap-out spool, and warn people that leaving it spooled causes damage. Not everyone is an electrician and understands that this causes harm, especially when pretty much every computer AC adapter (including my 3rd party apple charger) can be wound around the brick just fine. The reason that this causes problems isn't because people are ignorant, it's because Apple is using cheap materials.

@wesa: And products such as this shouldn't need to be treated so delicately...unless, of course, they're made very cheaply.

@zentec:

The in-depth commets on how to properly use an Apple products support my initial comment.

And you're right.
As I tell my other half daily,

" Honey, its just a computer. "

My macbook adapter had a short/melted where the cable meets the transformer thingy. I drove to the Apple Store, showed it to one of the "geniuses" and they gave me a new one on the spot.

Couldn't she do the same?

I've loved all of my Apple products (well, except for that iBook that needed three new logic boards) but I will never understand why they're unable to construct a sturdy, solid, well put together power adapter. Or at least one that doesn't try to ignite my house or leave me with burn marks.

On the plus side I've never had a problem with returning them, as I've always fallen within the year warranty.

@AMetamorphosis: Dude, not to put too fine a point on it, but I think you may have issues. Flamebaiting Mac fanboys, then going on and on about your wife being an Apple fanboy?

Mine has fried twice. Both times, it was replaced without question at an Apple store.

Mine fried once. I took it to the Apple Store and they replaced it within 5 minutes, no questions asked.

Seriously, try to get it replaced for free before complaining. Apple is great about replacing: this happened to me and I had a new magsafe through the mail in 2 business days, then just had to send mine back with the prepaid box.

@e10:
applecare for a new macbook pro is $350. You could go out and get 4 new magsafe adapters for that price.

The magsafe is a great idea, but poorly implemented. I have to wonder if it's Apple's mantra to sacrifice functionality for the sake of design.

I have 3 MacBooks with the MagSafe connectors.

I also have a two-year old who will tear around the house. On occasion she will tag a MagSafe cord and yank it from the computer.

None of mine have had a single problem. Two of them are originals from when the new adapters launched. One is only 6 months old. Just as good as new.

@youbastid: I had the same issue with my Dell adapter, where the DC wire meets the transformer. The transformer is designed like a wire spool, and even has a strap built-in to secure the cables. But while the AC connector is 90 degrees and wraps easily, the DC out on the adapter is straight-out. It frays right at the bend, and I need to transport my laptop constantly.

The only issues I've ever had with Magsafes (have 2 MBPs myself and work with 3 different ones at work) is that the little magnetic pins that "catch" when you plug in the adapter sometimes get stuck inside the adapter itself.

It's really disconcerting to read about this sort of stuff though :(

I had two power cables fray on me, and two batteries bloat up. Both times I just walked into my local mac store (not even an official 'brand' apple retailer) and handed them my cable/battery and said "fix it" and walked out with a new one, about five minutes later free of charge.

I mean, I never had any problems with my powerbook that I owned for like 5 years, and I've had so many issues with my Macbook Pro that I had it replaced. . . But still, as problems go this one is a pretty straightforward fix.

I haven't had one actually fry on me, but I do have to agree that the thinner MagSafe cord on the power adapter sucks. Instead of using something durable, they used a thin, soft wire similar to the ones they use on their mice and now their keyboards. I've already had to buy a new adapter for my MacBook (not cheap) because the spot where it connects to the AC adapter became crimped. By comparison, I have Logitech mice/trackballs that I've wrapped up & put in my bag in the same manner that have no issues, and I've had those for at least 2x longer and put them through more of a beating.

Has anyone seen any (tried & tested) 3rd-party replacements for the regular MacBook's power adapter? I've seen Macally adapters for old PPC laptops, for instance, but not the newer Intel models.

Hey.
Hey! :D

Nothing to say but my MacBook w/ magsafe hasn't been a problem.
And my Apple tattoo is oozing bitter, bitter tears of recrimination down my inner thigh. (Don't ask).

Has anyone done an estimate on the cost from laptops flying off cafe tables b/c of kicked cords and the cost of frayed magsafe cables? Is there some engineering trade-off involved (though I'd think MagSafe is less likely to fray than traditional ones so that doesn't seem to make sense)

Needless to say, if there's a manufacturing foul-up, I hope that Apple hops on this quickly.

Oh, and a friendly tip to any portable owner? Buy extended coverage (AppleCare in this case). Otherwise you're one spill or trip from a couple years of pained self-recrimination and regret.
NOT blaming the OP for not having AppleCare; I'm even sharing my love for PC laptop owners (see, I'm mother-f*cking GHANDI!): it's simply a good idea.

I'd imagine that you can buy a well built third party adapter at this point without the shorting issue.

Apple seems to ship flimsy cables. Most of my equipment has third party cables or homemade fixes to Apple cables.

It might be worth it to also report this to your states attorney general AND BBB. Not because apple is doing a bad job with your repair but, so other consumers outside of the warranty period can get a fix also. Being a responsible consumer also require action on your part to make sure others don't get the shaft.

I'm thinking there may be differences between our adapters. Wonder if anyone outside of Apple has tracked serial numbers or revisions?

My MB Pro has seen 16 months of heavy use without any MagSafe problems. It gets coiled multiple times a day as I move between offices - hundreds of times by now - and the MagSafe end hasn't made a peep. Do people bend it lots or are some of them defective?

I did notice the cable gets strained lots near the brick so I stopped coiling around the brick. Instead I just coil it loosely around my hand and toss them in the bag together.

That $350 Applecare price is *suggested retail*, and it carries a hefty margin. Reward the dealer if they're worth it. Otherwise, pick it up elsewhere. You don't have to buy it with the system.

I have not had any problems with the adapter, though I do think the wire is becoming stiffer with age and that may signal material weakness that could lead to failure. I think the problem is with the design mostly. The adapter used for the MacBook Air seems better since it is not sticking out straight, instead it routes the power cable to the rear. Most of the time, my power adapter is behind my MacBook Pro and the adapter wire is bent to go there. There is very little strain relief so, after a while, it would likely weaken and the wires would fray. The way the Air adapter is designed also gives more opportunity to increase the strain relief length, which would be a good thing.

I had mine replaced through Apple Care. They seemed hesitant at first, but ended up replacing it anyway.

It seems like they have a hard time admitting they have committed these silly design flaws. For example, the wristplate, when the Macbook snaps shut, it puts pressure on that lip of plastic. The constant stress forced this lip to crack. The internet is loaded with people who have complained about this very problem. The "Genius" said it's because I am not carrying it properly. Eventually - a few months later - they did fix it, but I asked the guy why the first "Genius" would have said something like that when I treat this computer like a baby. (Consumerist, please consider a compilation of BIZARRE CS excuses for their companies' problems, as I have heard a few gems in my day)

The Magsafe end of the power cord is constantly under stress and twisting and heating up and twisting and heating up, etc. You would be surprised if it DIDN'T fray.

Let's go, Apple... clean up your design messes.

99% of the mag-safe chargers that I have dealt with as an authorized apple portable tech. has been user error. whether it is tugging at it from the cord (mag-safe end), or wrapping it too tightly around the spool (adapter end). Stop yanking the cable out of the computer, and leave some slack when winding it up...not that hard. Of course, tell that to 500 or so students who have macbooks/MBPs, and you will see a lot of pissed off students.

There have been a handful of cases where I wasn't sure either way about whether or not the mag-safe was misused (no wear/damage to the cable other than being burned out) so I replaced those under warranty, but have requested a review by apple and didn't hear anything past that.

Apple is, however, taking note of the "aggressive" use of the cables, and is adding additional reinforcement to the bases of the cable where they meet the plug/adapter. It is more stiff, rugged and reinforced than the original

^ignore the grammatical errors plz

Two first gen MB's here, both with their original magsafe connectors. No replacements needed. They both travel extensively, both get wound around the pegs on the power brick every time.

Apple care is expensive, but well worth it. When the first gen macbooks turned yellow, as did both of ours, it was an overnight visit to the store for new covers. When our batteries stopped holding as much charge as we thought they should, they were on the spot replacements.

Our G5 iMacs hard drive fried itself. Another short visit to the store for a replacement drive and fresh OSX install.

The nightmares (massive delays, botched repairs, constantly shipping it around to them) I had trying to get my old Toshiba laptop fixed under the third party warranty company compared to the ease I've had under Apple have me quite happy with Apple, the products and the support.

My wife just went through the process of getting her MagSafe adapter replaced, it took a little persistence, and insisting over and over again that 'It's the MagSafe adapter, not the computer' then AppleCare finally caved

Just be polite, the phone monkeys are working for bananas.

At least my adapter was busted right out of the box. Apple fixed the situation by sending me a brand spankin' new one overnight free of charge. This one has been good for 9 months or so.

I've had a magsafe with my MBP for about a year now, haven't had any problems with fraying or sparking despite my clumsy ass tripping on the cord and yanking it out at least once or twice a month.

Actually, the adapter on my previous PowerBook wound up melting and sparking because I kept tripping on it and it DIDN'T pop out, it just stressed the cord and the plug. That was fun.

Apple's had poorly designed power adapters since the yo-yo adapter and the Powerbook G3. Not sure why they can't seem to get it right.

My MacBook's adapter melted through a couple weeks ago. I simply walked into the Apple Store, showed it to the Genius, and they replaced it no questions asked. Even before they ran my Mac's serial number (it's under AppleCare, so the replacement was definitely covered), they didn't make any indication that there would have been a charge for a replacement.

Apple's had poorly made power adapters for laptops SINCE THEY CREATED THE FIRST ONE. If there's one thing you can count on with a laptop, it's getting a new power adapter. That's just how it is.