Apple has posted a support article that concerns MagSafe power adapters:
You may notice a separation of the white insulation on the magnetic end of the MagSafe adapter. Under continued use, the cable may discolor and the rubber molding may become deformed. Products affected: MacBook (13-inch Late 2006), MacBook (13-inch), MacBook Pro (15-inch Glossy), MacBook Pro (17-inch)
Whether your product is in or out-of-warranty, you can take your adapter (you don’t need to take the computer) to an Apple-Authorized Service Provider or Apple Retail Store for evaluation, and replacement if necessary. You may be eligible for a replacement adapter free of charge provided there are no signs of abuse. Make a reservation at the Genius Bar before visiting your local Apple Retail Store. To make a reservation, go to http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/
Apple’s support article is here.
[Attribution: MacNN. Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Sadly, I replaced mine last month. The offending adapter got tossed in the trash.
I had mine replaced for free twice by apple store geniuses. The second time, (about 2 months ago,) I asked if problems with the adapter were common – I was told that problems were not common and that it was probably caused by me wrapping the cord to tightly…
THey should actually replace them because the connection to the power brick itself doesn’t connect well either.
Due to continued wrapping and unwrapping it from the brackets, causes the insulation to unravel and expose the wiring. Bad design there Mr. Ivy. Horrible attention to detail…. not to mention a huuuge fire hazard!
I’ve already had to replace two of them. My third one on it’s way to being a safety hazard as well.
Do you think they will replace my girlfriend’s for her MacBook because our dog chewed through it?
After having an AL PowerBook (five years now) and a MB, I had lived with two square-brick adapters. Wrapping/unwrapping of the cable is my daily routine. I am having a hard time trying to imagine how abusive one would have to be with the wrapping/unwrapping of that cable in order to force the insulation to expose the wiring. Common sense would have you make a small loop at the end where cable meets the brick, then wrap tightly around the brackets.
I suppose some users are slightly deficient in the dept. of common sense and are pulling that cable tightly towards the bracket. Obviously, this qualifies as abuse and would normally not be replaced under warranty. However, knowing Apple, you might get it done by a Genius with some luck.
I guess it’s true what they say. Adapter die.
I had a MagSafe plug quit working when one of the spring-equipped pins lost its spring, and another when the power brick died. Two free replacements at the Apple Store in 3 years of daily use. The MagSafe has spared at least three laptop spills off of a table when I tripped over the cord. I love it!
@Nick Fury;
Ba da boom!
I just replaced mine last week – $80!
I guess I’ll bring that one and the old one back….
@tmsruge
It’s Mr. Ive. And I’m sure he doesn’t do the engineering drawings on the wiring for power adapters…
Nick Fury
You bad!
In Apple effort to get rid of PVC & latex in the power cords this bound to happen till they work out a rubber plastic (HDPE) formula that meets Apple standards and is as tuff as the old PVC & Latex formula.
Everyone whom has eliminated PVC &/or Latex from their power cords is having the same types of issues. The only difference is Apple is taking care the customers.
@ Cubert
My dog did the same thing. Luckily for both I guess it was the low voltage side of the transformer. I worked out how to repair the connections but it is tricky.
I wish that the low voltage cable was connected with adaptor similar to the high voltage side. I’ve gone through 3 power bricks with my PB. On one occasion Apple Genius replaced it which was really cool.
my iBook connecter was crap
Mine has been replaced twice at the Apple store without any problem. Two power adapters, one hard drive and a super drive replacement made apple care worth every penny.
We are dealing with iffy quality when any company—Apple included—opts to make products outside the USA.
I have a 13″ Macbook (Late 2006) and have not had any issues whatsoever with my adapter. I use mine everyday at some point to charge my Macbook. I’ve not have any problems. Like “Predrag” said. If you’re taking your notebook with you with the adapter make a loop in the cord at the brick end and wrap the cord around the brackets which fold out of the brick. It will keep the cord in good condition.
I suspect that the main reason for the problems with the cable fraying where it connects to the plastic connector is that many people disconnect the cable and connector by pulling on the cable itself instead of the plastic connector that contains the magnet. And that is completely understandable because the plastic connector is very small and slick so it is almost impossible to grab it and pull it straight out–especially because the magnet is fairly strong. So, the cable and connector design is definitely flawed. However, I have found that if you grab the plastic connector and pull the outside edge upward or push it downward then it will disconnect fairly easily without any strain on the cable connection.
Ahhh, I am a consultant and I am in many offices. It just amazes me how badly people take care of equipment.
Like it was said earlier, they pull and wrap that cord so tight that nothing short of kevlar would last.
Common sense when dealing with laptops and cords, be gentle.
I have a PowerBook G4 that has seen 4 years of daily use from job site to job site. Still on the original AC adapter.
I broke mine while watching porn.
Been there, done that already. Replaced mine about 4 months ago. Bought a new one.
I wonder why they say “MacBook Pro (15-inch Glossy)”. Do they really put a different power adapter in the Matte-screen ones? I seriously doubt it.
In any case, the PowerBook adapters sucked. My wife had to have two replaced, and she rarely ever wrapped them up… so that was not the cause. Very gently used, and eventually they would start burning at the low-voltage end going into the power brick. Same thing twice. She just uses it at a desk usually, doesn’t travel. No one, including the Apple Store people believed me, so we had to buy two new ones. I love the MagSafe end, I sure hope these are better than the PowerBook ones were! (Now she has a MBPro, and I’ll buy one soon).
@ iDont
“I broke mine while watching porn.”
What, you used it to tie yourself up or something?
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yes mark, the usa make good quality products and have hard diligent workers…
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just in case your all nodding your heads and saying ‘gee radiomoscow knows his stuff’….i was being sarcastic