Apple replacing faulty MagSafe power adapters, too

First the iPod nano, now Apple's Mag(not so)Safe adapters. That look familiar? If so, Apple is ready to replace the faulty MagSafe adapter from your 13-inch MacBook or 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro -- in warranty or out. You do live nearby an Apple-Authorized Service Provider right?

[jiajiwow @ Aug 20th 2008 1:12AM]

i replace my MagSafe power adapters three time in past two years.
it is not durable at all.

[Hawkman @ Aug 20th 2008 2:03AM]

Well, my experience was different - 2 years of constant abuse and not a mark on it. From my point of view it's pretty durable.

I can't be the only one to assume that if your power cord fails, you should be SOL? It's hardly normal for something so open to use and abuse to be covered under warranty. Only Mac users would expect this level of service!

[Bob Aman @ Aug 20th 2008 11:00AM]

The old PowerBook cables were much worse. I had two of them fail before I finally went and put epoxy on the cable. My current MagSafe adapter has been way sturdier in comparison.

[Daniel @ Aug 20th 2008 5:26PM]

My experience is the same as jiajiwow. I own a white MacBook, and about a month ago the MagSafe connector on the extra power supply I bought separated from the cable almost completely. I took it to the local Apple store and even though I bought the 3-year Apple Care coverage when I got my Mac, some idiot guy from the so-called "genius bar" gave me a funny look and told me "no, we don't cover that".

It's funny how today when the connector on the original charger started failing as well, I come across this article. The cable seems fine, but I notice the red/green LED light on top of it sometimes turns off when I move the computer.

I'm gonna go back to the Apple store with a printout of Apple's page admiting the screw up and have both chargers replaced.

Only Mac users can expect such extents of poor build quality... I really can't wait to get rid of this piece of shit computer.

[steven @ Aug 20th 2008 8:48AM]

so definitely went tonight at 730 to replace mine. No one mentioned this to me at the store

[thefiendster @ Aug 20th 2008 1:16AM]

lol

[Fuzz @ Aug 20th 2008 1:22AM]

Grr, same. I am my second adapter. First one melted spectacularly!

[Adrian Williams @ Aug 20th 2008 1:19AM]

Isn't this the power cord/adapter they tried to patent but home deep fryers already had it
/no no one sued

[Ravi @ Aug 20th 2008 1:27AM]

My wall adapter (the removable plug part in the adapter) split apart. Will Apple give me a new adapter or does this move only refer to the wire?

[waiownsyou @ Aug 20th 2008 1:28AM]

I have the same problem, but it occurred towards the brick... can any more details be posted? This is too empty.

[absurdio @ Aug 20th 2008 2:20PM]

Man, me too. Same exact issue, but at the brick, rather than the magnet end.
This Apple page (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1977, [thanks, Lee]) says:
"You may notice a separation of the white insulation on the magnetic end of the MagSafe adapter."
Frustrating. Surely authorities will have to recognize that this is the exact same issue?
I hope?

[Bob @ Aug 20th 2008 1:32AM]

It's about time Apple.

[bcrider @ Aug 20th 2008 1:41AM]

MagSafe is the shit. It's so easy to attach (literally pulls itself into the port) and it works as advertised in terms of accidental trips over the cord. Mine is going strong at 9 months but when I worked for apple I sold quite a few replacements ($79 a pop) to understandably unhappy customers who's broke. Was this a class action or good gesture?

[Wiigee @ Aug 20th 2008 1:35AM]

That could have help a year ago when i shelled out $80 for a new one!

[Lee @ Aug 20th 2008 10:46AM]

If you live near a Best Buy with an Apple shop you can replace it through them. I just went through the process today took about an hour though cause best buy's CS has to call Apple's CS. Its about the only thing Best buy is good for.

P.S. and just in case show them the link ( http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1977)

[Kevin Gann @ Aug 20th 2008 1:39AM]

This happened to me around Christmas. My power adapter was about a year old, and it just, melted. Thankfully, the MacBook was alright, and Apple replaced it on the spot. (Which was a good thing, 'cause I was leaving the country the next day..)

[Eric Moritz @ Aug 20th 2008 1:44AM]

The same thing is happening to my month old iphone 3g dock cable

[waiownsyou @ Aug 20th 2008 2:37AM]

I own an iPhone 3G and a MacBook Pro but it sounds like you've been abusing your product. The feeling is different. The MagSafe adapter shielding feels like a soft rubbery substance while the dock cable feels more like softened plastic.

[Frankie @ Aug 20th 2008 1:44AM]

My apple care did come in handy last year... My cord was sparking while I was trying to hold it together to read email..

[nikster @ Aug 20th 2008 2:47AM]

I think that's the reason Apple is very generous when it comes to replacing power adapters. The last thing they need is one of those things to start a fire because with Apple a class action lawsuit is never far away. Hordes of lawyers are just sitting there waiting for something like this to happen. Replacing a few or even a lot of adapters is cheap by comparison. Come to think of it that may also explain the incredible markup on those things... $79, sheesh. What do they cost Apple to make? Can't be more than $10...

[Ryan Karolak @ Aug 20th 2008 1:45AM]

Apple replaced my Magsafe adapter last year despite it not being under warranty. In fact, after talking to them on the phone they mailed it to me since I wasn't near an Apple Store. It's nice to hear they are doing this officially now.

[yode @ Aug 20th 2008 1:50AM]

DO you think my led light going out when charging is grounds for replacement?

[pundit @ Aug 20th 2008 10:22AM]

Mine developed that problem recently too!

[dan @ Sep 22nd 2008 6:30PM]

mine just started that as well

[Erik @ Aug 20th 2008 1:58AM]

I like Apple but they have a problem with their power adapters. I went through 6 on my powerbook and 2 so far on my macbook, but I have always been able to get a free replacement. You just gotta know how to sweet talk the apple care folks.

[Iain @ Aug 20th 2008 2:00AM]

Same problem with the old style connectors on the iBooks and PowerBooks. Simply put, the cable on all of Apples portables power adpaters is not strong or durable enough, and never has been. However Apple seems to only be interested in replacing these in cases where the cables short and start melting/burning the plastic insulator.

[Jordan @ Aug 20th 2008 2:07AM]

My macbook power-cord burnt up maybe a month ago - apple replaced it no questions asked, I wasn't even under warranty. Although you'd think apple could manufacture something that doesn't start fires...

[Word Up, North Korea! @ Aug 20th 2008 2:14AM]

I am on my 4th magsafe cord in 2.5 years...the first replacement i didn't even ask to get from apple (needed it quickly), the second replacement Apple refused, saying it wasn't covered under Apple Care (I even filed a complaint after being told that), and the third they sent me for free

[Ian @ Aug 20th 2008 2:21AM]

yea mine burnt out too but that was about 6 months ago.. although it was only like a year and a half old. lame i had to go through the protection plan. seems awesome now that they will officially start doing it. o but when i had to wait the 5 days i had to bum off my roommates charger.. not fun

[Cameron @ Aug 20th 2008 3:46AM]

ive got a november 2007 macbook and the magsafe is perfect. cant complain at all. well i think i can, the things that you wrap your cable around on the power block could be a little larger as its a squeeze to get all the cable on - but its no biggie. i always pull the magsafe off the laptop but holding onto the block, i think the problem lies in people tugging the cable. that magnet is pretty strong when you pull on it directly and that would explain why peoples cable are frying, the insulation gets pulled and ripped and wires touch. do your magsafe a favour and remove it by pulling on the block, not the cable. i do think that the cable should be held on more securely though because some people will naturally pull the cable.

[4nr- @ Aug 20th 2008 2:58AM]

Wonder if this is coincidental. I have a faulty one and it burned me not too long ago. I gave apple a ring last friday. Had to answer some weird questionnaire with questions like "was there so much smoke in the room that you had to crawl out of it?" as well as what colour the smoke was, amongst other things. Some engineers were going to have a look at the questionnaire and they'd get back to me yesterday (hasn't happened). q

[Alex Padilla @ Aug 20th 2008 3:10AM]

Does this replacement include my MagSafe adapters, which tend to get scalding hot in no time at all? Or the little box thingy in the middle of the cord, which almost burn my damn hand off one day?

PS -> They should think about placing their MacBook fans and vents in a more strategic area.

[chris r @ Aug 20th 2008 3:47AM]

I'm on my 4th adapter. Each one has looked EXACTLY like the one pictured. Apple never gave me a hard time about getting it replaced.

[minh @ Aug 20th 2008 4:09AM]

wow they're just now reporting this??? this has happened to my 1st gen macbook pro a long time ago. Apple will replace it, no questions asked.

[Inspectah Deck @ Aug 21st 2008 2:01PM]

ditto- i had mine do the same, three months after I bought my first gen MBP apple back in 06 apple didn't even want the old one back next day delivered it to me, I am on a large corporate account though and our certified techs aren't exactly caring individuals.

[ipubs bastard child @ Aug 20th 2008 4:21AM]

I have a macbook at home with one of these. Is this the reason why my battery doesnt charge anymore or is that a seperate issue?

[Rob @ Aug 20th 2008 5:45AM]

A MacBook and a MBP in my house and office and my adapters look just fine.
Apple is also replacing logicboards with Nvidia GE Force 8600M GT graphic cards, but no official statement came from Cupertino yet. Anyone here has a MacBook Pro affected by the "blank screen" problem?
More infos on:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pV-CKzYqbB6dLQRx8wpC2aw

[Julio @ Aug 20th 2008 6:01AM]

Mine had the same problem on the end after 6 months and they replaced it without even blinking. Not really news to me but, good news for those thinking they need to buy a new one.

[gooby @ Aug 20th 2008 6:40AM]

I just recently replaced my power adapter like a month ago and it totally looked like the one in the picture. I wish they would have done this a little earlier... aaaaaugh.

[BuiltByBen @ Aug 20th 2008 8:13AM]

Has this come from my post in the iPod nano post yesterday?
My soon to be 2yo MagSafe melted into a puddle on Sunday night, phoned on Monday, should be here tomorrow, they didn't seem to concerned that I burnt my hand and if I hadn't been here it could of burnt my house down

[Major4Play @ Aug 20th 2008 8:17AM]

Apple are assholes, had to replace mine for exactly this fault 6 months ago, Apple store "Genius" new nothing (What a surprise!)
Any chance of a store credit so i can buy some other faulty equipment ?

[Jeff @ Aug 20th 2008 9:22AM]

Same thing here. I replaced mine around 6 months ago, came to like $100. I still have my old one that is broken, so i'm going to go back to the store and get another and try and get my $100 refund from the one I originally purchased and bitch them out.

Worse comes to worse, i'll just take the new one they give me and sell it on eBay or something like that.

[Jimbo @ Aug 20th 2008 9:55AM]

I too am on my 4th one of these in the past 2.5 years. All the faulty ones looked exactly like this. Apple had refused to replace the first one so I just didn't bother asking on the next two. This really sux.

[Will @ Aug 20th 2008 10:32AM]

This is exactly what's happening to my iPhone 3g dock connector. Will they ever be replacing that?

[joeblow @ Aug 21st 2008 7:38PM]

Today I called AppleCare to resolve my MagSafe issue only to get an unclued CSR that said it will cost me $49 for a replacemnet. I then refer to the KB TS1977 and he said "okay thank you fo the reference...makes my life easier." What an idiot. Then I was transferred to a Product Specialist who asked to the repeat the same story I told the CSR. Seriously Apple knows there is an issue with the MagSafe yet they still give you a run around. For those looking for a replacement remember to reference the KB.

[Mike @ Aug 21st 2008 8:15PM]

The cable is not substantive enough, judging from the number of issues. Apple can't afford to support bad hardware, they sell these machines in too large numbers to have a major glitch turn into a recall. I've had MagSafe laptops for years now, so far no failures. I typically buy an adapter for the usuall haunts (office, home office) so I don't have to carry one with me, which should eliminate 95% of the wear.

[Ashley @ Aug 22nd 2008 3:13PM]

I just went to the Apple Store. Either this article isn't accurate, or the employees at my nearby store have no idea about it... I took my chord in (it looks almost identical to the one above) and they said they couldn't do anything about it because it isn't under warranty.

[merrington @ Oct 9th 2008 2:03PM]

I've replaced 2 already. Apple wasn't replacing them when mine broke so I had no reason to keep them. Now they won't go back and credit me even though I have the receipts.

Well, maybe the problem will disappear with the new macbooks.....

[Jeff Walker @ Oct 14th 2008 2:11PM]

I use these:

http://www.macmagsaver.com/index.html

Worth every penny. Easier to disconnect the magsafe too. Fits with my incase shell on my MBP too.