Filed under: Accessories, Macbook Pro, MacBook, MacBook Air
Apple replacing frayed MagSafe power cables
According to a Knowledge Base article posted last week, Apple is now replacing (free of charge) frayed, discolored and deformed MagSafe power adapters for MacBook and MacBook Pro.
But -- and there's always a but -- they will only replace it if there's no sign of "abuse." So if you've been doing the right thing and holding the hard plastic connector to disconnect the cable, you might not have to pay another $80 for a new power adapter.
If your connector looks like the one pictured, and has been babied its entire life, then take it back to an Apple-Authorized Service Provider or an Apple retail store for an evaluation and replacement. It doesn't matter if the warranty has expired.
Also -- bonus points for the greeked copy at the bottom of Knowledge Base article page. I'm sure that counts for a shot in some obscure Apple website drinking game.
Thanks, Jeff!
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dan Manning said 11:22AM on 8-20-2008
Wow... That sucks. I just bought a new power adapter, and then proceeded to cut open the old one to find out what was wrong, making me ineligible.
Reply
Hickeroar said 11:24AM on 8-20-2008
Too bad this didn't come out months ago. Mine started fraying so I took some crazy glue, squeezed it all back together, and glued it there. It's actually perfectly fine now, but it would have been nice to have the opportunity to get reparation "the right way."
Reply
www.esturismo.eu said 11:24AM on 8-20-2008
i hope i will never need to change my magsafe free or not!
Reply
Farmer Joe said 11:25AM on 8-20-2008
I don't suppose there are any aftermarket suppliers?
Reply
a ham sandwich said 11:54AM on 8-20-2008
no sir. patents.
Sawyer said 11:33AM on 8-20-2008
That's Latin, not Greek.
Reply
Sawyer said 11:35AM on 8-20-2008
Upon reading the wiki page, I'm an idiot. "Greeking" is the usage of the seemingly meaningless Latin used. I really should learn to read these things before commenting.
Robert Palmer said 11:37AM on 8-20-2008
"Greeking" is a typesetting term meaning to insert nonsense text as a way of testing a layout.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greeking
Jason said 11:48AM on 8-20-2008
I've had my MBP since January 2007, and haven't experienced this problem. Maybe I'm lucky.
An additional bonus for users of the older MBPs -- the newer smaller adapters are still 85 watts but are significantly smaller than the one I have.
Reply
ars_workerbee said 11:54AM on 8-20-2008
"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/."
Just be prepared, and have your computer's serial number. While its possible to get it replaced without the machine, most Apple Store employees will freak out, since that's not usually how it works.
Reply
Johari said 12:24PM on 8-20-2008
Mine is sparking around the end that's connected to the brick. I took it to the Apple store a couple of months ago and they wouldn't replace it because it was abused.
Reply
Dustin said 1:59PM on 8-20-2008
I had the same issue. I took it in and they replaced mine. The guy I got was only concerned that my laptop was okay. It's crazy how the service differs; how any person can deem it worthy of replacing or not.
Schell said 1:46PM on 8-20-2008
About 2 months ago, I felt my that my power supply was very hot. Also, I noticed that is was no longer giving a charge to my year-old Macbook.
The morning following my discovery, I took a drive to the Apple store. I was lucky enough to find a helpful salesperson, who not only bumped me ahead of the 'Genius Bar' line, but immediately went into the back and returned with a spankin' brand new power cable (Apple brand - not an aftermarket).
Without filling out any paperwork, he opened the package, took my old, frayed cord and gave me the new one and wished me a good day.
This was all without an extended Apple Care package or an appointment .
Reply
JAx2000 said 12:49PM on 8-20-2008
I'm so confused. I've always disconnected mine the proper way, but... What was the point of the Mag-Safe again? I do have kids and dogs that sometimes do exactly what Apple had in mind when they designed it. Does that mean that I don't qualify? Kinda hard for them to know exactly what happened don't you think.
Knowing Apple, they'll be kind anyways.
Reply
Brian said 12:49PM on 8-20-2008
Its true mine was cooking it self and in turn my desk. Simply called apple and they sent a replacement out which I received the next afternoon. My faith in apple was renewed because of the transaction.
Reply
Steve said 5:01PM on 8-20-2008
Mine is pulling apart on the brick end, not as bad as the picture, but there are a couple silver strands popping out. Would that still qualify even though it specifically says the "magnetic end"?
Or would they just turn me away because there are kitten teeth marks here and there along the cord and call it abuse?
Reply
Revolutionary said 1:06PM on 8-20-2008
I've had my MBP for just over three years and have been through 3 MagSafe power adapters. The first caught on fire because of the frayed ends overheating and the second had frayed ends and stopped working altogether. I'm on my third adapter with no problems yet. . .
Both times Apple was quick to send me a new adapter and both times were very apologetic. I'm relieved to see I'm not a jinx with adapters and that Apple is acknowledging this to be a product flaw.
Reply
robb said 7:10PM on 8-20-2008
My magsafe adapters (I have two, one for an original MBP and another for a latest rev one) have both held up pretty well. Neither has any visible damage. The older style Powerbook adapters now... I used to go through one about every six months. They'd start to fray, then one day they'd just short out and melt. Very dramatic.
I see the replacement program is only for the glossy and 17" MPB. Interesting.
JTA said 1:33PM on 8-20-2008
I've had to replace mine twice in the past two years because of this issue - and all I do is wind the cord around the pull-out tabs on the brick. Each time I've brought it to the 5th Ave. store in Manhattan and had no problems. Just a few minutes at the Genius Bar and I was on my way with a new adapter.
Reply
Fredco said 2:00PM on 8-20-2008
What Apple should do is make a power adapter that has a replaceable cable. What BS. They could charge $10 for it and bazillions of people would buy spares. But like all short-sighted companies, the only option is a complete replacement. You end up throwing away a perfectly functional DC power supply.
Apple should "think different" about this issue.
Reply