Power unit failure

[Dadog]

Has anyone else experienced failure of the power unit? Mine is the 85w version matched to my MacPro. It lasted 15 months then blew its fuses with a corresponding flash within the casing. Worst part was that it cost me £65 to replace. Rip off....or what?

 

[pigoo3]

First: Apple calls the "power unit" a "Mag Safe Power Adapter".

Second: You do not have a "Mac Pro" you have a "MacBook Pro". "Mac Pro's" are desktop computers.

Third: Yes this has happened to other folks. But it is not common. It is not a "rip-off". Mag-safe power adapter's can receive a lot of abuse as well doing use. And power surges in the electrical line can cause problems.

Bottom line "stuff happens". Nothing is 100%:

- automobiles get flat tires
- roofs leak
- shoelaces break
- and Apple mag-safe power adapters occasionally fail

* Nick

 

[Dadog]

First: Apple calls the "power unit" a "Mag Safe Power Adapter".

Second: You do not have a "Mac Pro" you have a "MacBook Pro". "Mac Pro's" are desktop computers.

Third: Yes this has happened to other folks. But it is not common. It is not a "rip-off". Mag-safe power adapter's can receive a lot of abuse as well doing use. And power surges in the electrical line can cause problems.

Bottom line "stuff happens". Nothing is 100%:

- automobiles get flat tires
- roofs leak
- shoelaces break
- and Apple mag-safe power adapters occasionally fail

* Nick

Well...that's put me in my place then! Sorry to complain about a duff unit. I'll try not to do it again.

 

[pigoo3]

Well...that's put me in my place then! Sorry to complain about a duff unit. I'll try not to do it again.

I totally understand that unexpectedly having to pay £65 for a replacement Mag-safe power adapter is not a very pleasant thing to have to do.

But neither is having a:

- home water heater all of a sudden fail when you're in the middle of a shower
- have a water line on a home laundry washing machine burst while you are away visiting relatives. Then you come home to hundreds or thousands of gallons of water all over your house.
- the electricity in your home fails…and all the food in your refrigerator/freezer thaws/get warm…and all of it spoils.
- the engine in your car stops when you are 150 miles from home

Why your Mag-safe power adapter failed is hard to say. But they can & do fail occasionally. They could be built to be more durable…this has always been a sore spot with us Apple laptop/notebook owners. But their failure rate is certainly not a common thing.

- Nick

 

[johnodd4]

anyways i take it your in the u.k using a u.k model power adapter or a converter to convert it to u.k main's lead correct i would be a little cautious just because i have seen some really good fake apple power supplies coming from the u.k and you can't tell the difference they are identical in every way except one they contain the same serial number on them so be cautious when buying a power supply and make sure you are getting a good grounded outlet or you will just smoke your power supply again.

 

[Dadog]

anyways i take it your in the u.k using a u.k model power adapter or a converter to convert it to u.k main's lead correct i would be a little cautious just because i have seen some really good fake apple power supplies coming from the u.k and you can't tell the difference they are identical in every way except one they contain the same serial number on them so be cautious when buying a power supply and make sure you are getting a good grounded outlet or you will just smoke your power supply again.

Yes, thanks, johnodd. It is a genuine Apple unit and identical in all respects to the one supplied with my MacBook Pro. That's why I bought at an Apple dealer and paid the full price. I did do a search and found plenty at half that price but I wouldn't trust them. All my electrical equipment is protected through anti surge socket outlets.

I guess my original comment was a bit provocative - but leaving out the .Rip off...or what?. comment, it is still a reasonable query. I use several computers and a lot of musical and recording equipment. This is the first time any of them has failed. Appreciate your comments. Thanks.

david

 

[pigoo3]

I guess my original comment was a bit provocative - but leaving out the .Rip off...or what?. comment, it is still a reasonable query.

You "hit the nail on the head"! Your other question/questions were totally fair to ask!

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

Are we actually discussing a Mac Pro or a MacBook Pro?

When the power supply failed in my Mac Pro 2.1, it was referred to by Apple as the power supply period. With a Mac Pro it is possible to replace the fuses. Blowing is what they are designed to do.