MagSafe replacement policy?

**mckytm** · 10-19-2008, 09:37 PM

Hi guys,

My MBP's charger seems to have died on me without warning -- my laptop doesn't charge and the brick becomes extremely hot

what's weird is I don't see any 'fraying' like the first-generation MagSafes (I have the square brick, not the rectangular one).

Anyway, I purchased my laptop in September last year, so I don't think it's under warranty anymore. But does PowerMac have a replacement policy for these chargers? Or will I be forced to shell out US$80 for a new one?

**Sponsor** · 10-19-2008 09:37 PM

**mckytm** · 10-20-2008, 11:26 AM

Just talked to PowerMac -- since it's out of warranty, their 'policy' is to sell me a new adapter for P5k...and at the same time try to talk me into purchasing AppleCare so 'you won't worry about it next time'.

Yay. My blood pressure spiked this early in the morning. Despite it being one of the new square adapters, and despite my taking good care of it (i.e. plugging it into AVRs only, making sure I don't bend the cables unnecessarily), the fact that it's 13 months old means I have to shell out to pay for a possible factory defect (at least based on the feedback on the Apple Online Store). Hay.

Sorry, just ranting.

Btw mods, I saw another thread re: power adapters, pa-merge nalang po so I don't clutter up the board. Thanks!
85w Magsafe problem (Penryn MBP)

**mindless** · 10-20-2008, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by mckytm

Just talked to PowerMac -- since it's out of warranty, their 'policy' is to sell me a new adapter for P5k...and at the same time try to talk me into purchasing AppleCare so 'you won't worry about it next time'.

Yay. My blood pressure spiked this early in the morning. Despite it being one of the new square adapters, and despite my taking good care of it (i.e. plugging it into AVRs only, making sure I don't bend the cables unnecessarily), the fact that it's 13 months old means I have to shell out to pay for a possible factory defect (at least based on the feedback on the Apple Online Store). Hay.

Sorry, just ranting.

Btw mods, I saw another thread re: power adapters, pa-merge nalang po so I don't clutter up the board. Thanks!
85w Magsafe problem (Penryn MBP)

Doesn't Applecare have to be bought just before your initial 1 year limited warranty expires? I wonder why they're selling you Applecare when you're no longer under warranty.

**elbert** · 10-20-2008, 03:17 PM

have you tried resetting the madsafe adapter? All you have to do is slide out the cable or duk head adapter and then slide it back in. That's how to reset the circuit breaker.

**hitme64** · 10-20-2008, 05:47 PM

actually i did that before i sent my unit back to DH...still no go with that trick so the magsafe went in for repairs and replacement...

just for good measure, i got a new one so that i don't have to plug and unplug the adapter every now and then i need to bring the laptop home from office...

oh, i also got a replacement unit from dh...

**elbert** · 10-21-2008, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by hitme64

just for good measure, i got a new one so that i don't have to plug and unplug the adapter every now and then i need to bring the laptop home from office...

I have an even better solution to getting a secondary MagSafe adapter: get the new Cinema Display--it comes with a MagSafe charger too.

**mckytm** · 10-21-2008, 03:24 PM

Anyway, the GF bought me a new 85w MagSafe from Macau yesterday for HKD 638... at least it'll be cheaper than P5k. Unbudgeted maintenance capex. Hay.

@mindless - you're right; I may have misinterpreted what the guy said. I think it was more like 'next time get AppleCare so you won't worry about this'

still, not a good suggestion when I'm still hoping for a miracle.

Besides I read on Apple that I may be eligible for a replacement MagSafe after they check out my power adapter (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1713) -- but the guy I spoke with from PowerMac said that since I was out of warranty, then I'd HAVE to buy a new adapter.

Originally Posted by elbert

have you tried resetting the madsafe adapter? All you have to do is slide out the cable or duk head adapter and then slide it back in. That's how to reset the circuit breaker.

Yup I've tried that -- was keeping my fingers crossed that it was just the cable (plug --> adapter) which was the problem. Sadly both replugging the AC cord and testing with the plain duckhead adapter didn't resolve the issue

Re: new Cinema Display, LOL! Well, is there a DVI-to-Mini Display Port cable yet? :P

-----

On a related note, since PowerMac doesn't repair MagSafes, any idea where I can find someone who does? Just so I have a spare adapter. Or is there still a chance I can have this thing replaced?

**hitme64** · 10-21-2008, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by elbert

I have an even better solution to getting a secondary MagSafe adapter: get the new Cinema Display--it comes with a MagSafe charger too.

yeah you got me there elbert...in lieu of a new mbp, i'd go for the new led cinema display...but will it work on the "old" mbp?

**mckytm** · 10-21-2008, 05:16 PM

Not really sure, but Googling it brought up this tidbit:

http://www.appletell.com/apple/comme...inema-display/

So as not to be OT: anywhere else I can bring my (dead) power adapter, other than PowerMac? While I'd love to go there with a printout of that Apple support page, I'm hoping that another brick-and-mortar store would be more amenable to sending the defective adapter to Apple for diagnosis and possible replacement.

**cosmopiggy** · 11-05-2008, 03:02 AM

I bought my MacBook in the US last April (2008). This morning I tried to recharge it but the magsafe adapter didn't light up anymore.

Unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced the receipt. Would they require the receipt before I would be able to avail of the warranty or would they be able to determine the date of sale through my serial no? I'd appreciate any tips on dealing with this situation. Thanks.