Cheap Power adapters Safe?

[Donnut]

I bought one of these: 60W AC Power Adapter Charger For Apple MacBook Magsafe - eBay (item 280429733776 end time Feb-24-10 11:21:15 PST) a couple months ago just to keep a spare in my backpack so I can leave the original at home. What I'm wondering, is that it gets substantially hotter than the apple adapter. Is it OK? Is it worse because it was cheap? $16 was almost two good to be true...

 

[chscag]

$16 is too good to be true. Lots of imitation MagSafe adapters being sold on ebay and elsewhere. Personally, I would not use it. If you need a spare MagSafe adapter, buy one direct from Apple or these fellows.

Regards.

 

[amit3230]

hey it is very dangerous to use that type of adaptor dear one of my friend was also using that type of adaptor and his mb gone dead.
then it was repaired by apple care ......
so avoid this type of chargers......

plz do reputation.....

 

[Jaygray]

I've have had one of those $16 ebay adaptors for several months now and it works well. It also gets much hotter than the original adaptor does. 95% of the time, I use the Apple original, however, I did need a second for travel and it works perfectly for the remaining 5%. I wouldn't be afraid to buy another especially if it's only needed for occasional use.

That being said, if I ever need to bring my MBP in for Applecare service, I'll be taking them the original adaptor, not the aftermarket.

Also, different machines use different adaptors. Make sure your adaptor is not rated below the requirements of the machine. The Air requires 40 watts. 13" screen models 60 watts. 15" screen or larger 80 watt adaptors.

 

[indiemarcus]

US$16 for a magsafe adapter is way too cheap...chances are it will fail after a week, if it will ever work straight out of the box.

 

[chas_m]

Our shop sold some chinese knock-off adapters. After a couple of them CAUGHT FIRE, we stopped carrying them. Lesson learned.

 

[Donnut]

OK, thanks all, since I do not have applecare, and don't want to lunch a thousand dollar laptop for the sake of 40 bucks, I am just going to find an OEM adapter and buy it as a spare.

 

[cwa107]

Keep in mind that the MagSafe connector is patented. And I would have a hard time believing that Apple licensed it out to any of the Chinese knock-off manufacturers who are building them wholesale for $5 (if you can buy them on eBay for $20, chances are there's a 75% markup).

Not that I agree with it, but I can believe that Apple would take issue with any warranty claims that arose as the result of some knock-off adapter being used with the system.

 

[rustyk123]

For Apple it is always better and safer to get original parts. Apple is know to make bad replacements as well, such as the replacement ac adapter you can buy at apple.com if you can buy original ac adapter off ebay, they can be found for about 50 or so.

I know some people will disagree about apple producing bad replacements but this is my opinion based on my experience being a laptop technician.

 

[cwa107]

For Apple it is always better and safer to get original parts. Apple is know to make bad replacements as well, such as the replacement ac adapter you can buy at apple.com if you can buy original ac adapter off ebay, they can be found for about 50 or so.

I know some people will disagree about apple producing bad replacements but this is my opinion based on my experience being a laptop technician.

They are the same part numbers and internal components. There is no difference.

 

[clayneal]

For Apple it is always better and safer to get original parts. Apple is know to make bad replacements as well, such as the replacement ac adapter you can buy at apple.com if you can buy original ac adapter off ebay, they can be found for about 50 or so.

I know some people will disagree about apple producing bad replacements but this is my opinion based on my experience being a laptop technician.

I dont get it . The replacement mag safe IS the original . I can prove it as I am using one right now(because my cat chewed thru my last one ! I really miss that cat.).

Apple does not make a cheap replacement they sell you the same one that is shipped with your machine.

Clay

 

[rustyk123]

Actually, apple has parts made in many different places the one that come with the computers are made in a different area then most of the one you can buy at any apple store. If you go online you can read the reviews in the store and most of them are stating that the cable becomes fried with some use, some are saying about a year. The ones that come with the computers do not do that.

On the powerbook and ibook power supplies they were easy to tell if it was an original or apple replacement as the rubber at the end of one side of the wire did not have notches to help it bend on the replacements.

No, I am not saying all of them are that way but a good number of them. You may have gotten a replacement that was made in the same area as the ones that come with the computer or one that was made better then most others. All I really am trying to say is if you are buying from some place like ebay, you will have the option to find the original and I always recommend going with original. If you are buying from apple, you will not have the option, to them the adapter is an adapter no matter who made each one.