Magsafe

From Appledefects

Image:Magsafe.jpg MagSafe Adapter Release Date: ? Base Price: $79.99

Contents 1 MagSafe Power Adapter 1.1 Hissing/Sizzling Sounds 1.2 Excessive Heat Generation 1.3 Melting MagSafe Adapter 1.4 Fraying and Melting MagSafe Adapters 1.5 Fraying MagSafe Adapters 1.6 Burned MagSafe Adapter 1.7 Melting Magsafe Cable 1.8 MagSafe Adapter Usage Video 1.9 Magsafe Pins Stop Working 2 Apple's Official Response vs Reality

MagSafe Power Adapter

• The MagSafe power adapter uses magnetics to attach the AC Adapter to the MacBook Pro and MacBook laptops from Apple, it is an innovative product with some reported problems.

Hissing/Sizzling Sounds

• Many users report loud hissing and sizzling sounds from their ac adapters
• Audio recording of the 'sizzling' adapter sound:

http://www.appledefects.com/media/hot-ac-adapter-hiss.mov

Excessive Heat Generation

• Extreme heat generated by the MagSafe adapter, making it very hot to the touch. In some rare cases even melting the actual adapter itself.
• (there is some debate over the efficacy, but using the included 3-prong grounded adapter has reduced heat generation for some users)

Melting MagSafe Adapter

• Users have reported MagSafe adapters to get so hot they begin to melt and burn, causing damage to the adapter and the laptop it is plugged into.

• Additional Stories and Photos of Melted MagSafe Adapters:

http://theamanda.com/2006/10/23/melted-macbook-power-adapter/

http://blog.simon-cozens.org/post/view/1146

http://emcons.net/blog/index.php/2006/10/28/apple-magsafe-melted-away/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/88327510@N00/sets/72157594284255602/

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2006/6/26/4449

http://flickr.com/photos/abscond/sets/72157594321443109/

Fraying and Melting MagSafe Adapters

• A user has reported that after five months of continuous usage, his magsafe adapter failed. The sequence of events was first a kink in the cord at the point of the connector, then the retraction of the insulation, fraying of the internal wires, then the connector got hot and slowly melted the connection; this occured mostly over the course of a week.

• Another user reports that his MagSafe adapter shorted out and melted right before his eyes. Here is his claim, and a photo of the adapter from his Flickr account.

"I was playing World of Warcraft on my MacBook Pro when I happened to look over at the MagSafe power adapter. The plastic sheathing had melted near the connector, and the wires inside were glowing cherry red and smoking. I immediately called Apple, and they sent out another one via DHL Overnight. I still have no idea what caused the 1st one to melt like that."

• This happened to other users MagSafe adapter while he was using his Macbook Pro. It went up in flames and he luckily quickly fixed it.

Fraying MagSafe Adapters

• A user has reported that after a month of continuous usage, his magsafe adapter failed entirely by fraying.

• Another user has also reported that after a month use, his magsafe adapter overheated, and that the cord's white insulation retracted until the adapter looked like this:

• Hard to see fray.

Burned MagSafe Adapter

• Complete magsafe failure, severe burning reported.

[1] [2]

Melting Magsafe Cable

• A variant where the cable melts close to the power supply.

MagSafe Adapter Usage Video

• YouTube Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jHjLpsxWQ4

Magsafe Pins Stop Working

• Another problem not mentioned above is that for some the Magsafe pins retract and will not return to their normal position. This causes the Magsafe to cease charging the Macbook. This is a quote from a dissatisfied user: I have had my MacBook Pro less than a month and my power cord quit working. It appears that what is happening is the little spring loaded pins wear out, and stay recessed in the plug. That means they no longer come in contact with the female end and thus the computer battery will not charge anymore. There needs to be a redesign to this plug.

Detail of stuck Magsafe pins (in this case both outside-right and outside-left pins)

Apple's Official Response vs Reality

• Apple officially says the fraying and melting is not covered under the Apple warranty, meaning they do not have to replace the damaged units. However, in practice, virtually all users who have contacted Apple about these problems have received a replacement at no cost and with no hassle. Do not hesitate to contact Apple about this issue. This apply only if you live in the US: if you need a replacement somewhere else you'll have to pay for it (if you can find it).
• More info from Apple: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302461