http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/ Engadget Comments for Letterman's head writer faces sparking, smoking PowerBook adapter http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
Good thing he's not into guns. He'd be looking down the barrel to see if the bullets are coming out.
]]>Jul 13th 2007 1:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 1:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 10:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 2:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
Yes, Apple (or Dell, Lenovo, etc) could bundle a kevlar lined cord that will never fray or break, but then you would complain that your power cord costs $250.]]>Jul 13th 2007 11:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/3 years of wrapping the adapter up and shoving it in a bag 2-3 times a day will wear out the power cord.
Got a replacement power adapter from Macally for $30.
Cheaper than the $79 from Apple.
]]>Jul 13th 2007 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
If you haven't already, you need to stop using that battery and get it replaced, the swelling is a sign of unwanted chemical reactions happening inside the sealed cells - Meaning that the cells could rupture and explode at any time, whether charged or in use or not.

As it's a manufacturing defect and a safety issue you should be able to get the battery replaced for free or have the cost of any new batteries you bought refunded.]]>Jul 13th 2007 7:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 9:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/The smoking was from the insulation - that stuff is toxic when it burns!]]>Jul 13th 2007 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/ Walked into the apple store the same morning the genius saw it and replaced it on the spot with no questions and a quick tip to leave slack while wrapping it round.

So how is this an issue? Most people do notice that it needs to be handled properly? I don't think this should even be on engadget, it's that minor.]]>Jul 13th 2007 11:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
I was pretty surprised the dude said apple didn't offer to replace it. They're pretty amazing w/ that stuff. A friend spilled water on my Macbook (like 2 weeks after I bought it). I took it in to the genius bar, and 15 minutes later walked out w/ a new Macbook. I will always be an Apple user (unless their products go WAY down hill) for that reason.]]>Jul 13th 2007 2:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/I always pay attention to it, but it suddenly happened.
the light on the safemag went off, and the cord started burning.
I was told that the issue is not a manufacturing one and the power supply can't be replaced.
oh, did I mention it happened to 3 of us during the past 2 months?
I bought a new one and I don't really care, but I store the old till the moment they realize it's their fckup and I can get a new one.]]>Jul 13th 2007 11:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
my hp's power charger is a brick, and the cable is twice as thick as this. yes its ugly, but it also can take the beating it needs to.]]>Jul 13th 2007 11:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
yes all power cords will break over time and use if not well looked after.

but apple power cords are noticably thinner than that of most other manufacturers.
meaning the cable and the insulation is thinner and will be more liable to break sooner. ]]>Jul 13th 2007 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/but the video is cool though.]]>Jul 13th 2007 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/omfg you got to be kidding, apples build quality is one of the worst, out of all the laptops i've opened; apple, sony, dell, acer, toshiba, apple has by far the worst build quality. they use foil for radiation shields where other companies use proper sheets of rigid alumnimum, and some pieces look like they where filed or bent slighty so they would fit in.]]>Jul 13th 2007 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
He should've gotten shocked out of his pants while filming his abused power cord, keeping jiggling it till the casing smolders more and more.

This will happen with any power adapter if you don't handle it with care.

It very clearly is a wear & tear issue from wrapping the cord tight around the brick a few times too many. The cord and the relief strain are built light, but it is no coincidence this happened right outside of it.

Could Apple build it a little stronger? Sure. Who knows, they might in the future. Or not.

Anyhow, it is a non issue, afaiac.


]]>Jul 13th 2007 12:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/]]>Jul 13th 2007 1:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 10:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 7:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
why would apple give you a replacement when its not a manufacturing problem but your own negilence in looking after the adapter??

what a fat dumbass
]]>Jul 13th 2007 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
It failed in the middle of a presentation, smoking and sparking as seen in the video.

I tried following this guide:
http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/

But I ended up purchasing an iGo Juice70 universal power supply which works in car, home, and airplane. It's a bit pricey, but the cost of buying a new $79 PB adapter every year isn't worth it.

I hope a class action forms out of this, Apple ignored my request for a replacement.]]>Jul 13th 2007 12:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 1:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
BTW, even scarier.. My wife's hairdryer started throwing huge sparks with smoke and some fire one morning, she would hang the hairdryer by the cord... after a year or so it just wore through. Scared the poop out of us. lol]]>Jul 13th 2007 12:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/]]>Jul 13th 2007 12:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/Jul 13th 2007 12:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/lettermans-head-writer-faces-sparking-smoking-powerbook-adapte/
To all the tight wrappers: There are those little white fold-out ears on the block to wrap the cable around. Use them. They greatly reduce the chance of the cable being broken due to nasty angles.]]>Jul 13th 2007 12:52PM