An Easy and Useful Power Adapter Modification
For the most part I can’t stand the Apple power adapters. Initially they’re OK- nice and shiny and a refreshing, clean white. Then after a few months of use they get dirty, the little wings that hold the cord break off, and you lose the little corner piece that allows you to plug the brick into the outlet.
You might think that if you lose that little piece you have to buy a whole new adapter, which isn’t totally out of the question considering Apple’s usual method of forcing you to buy an Apple-only replacement. Fortunately, that’s not the case.
For around $3 and a trip to Radio Shack you can not only replace Apple’s plug adapter, you can extend its reach and move the bulky, annoying power brick itself away from the wall. This is especially useful if you’re using a power strip or surge protector, or your outlet is behind a desk where space is at a premium.
You might already own a set of accessories like those pictured below. The 3-foot extension cord is nice, but it has a ground plug, meaning it can’t fit into 2-prong outlets.
Looking more closely at the shape of the connector for that little corner piece. This is the same connector (Unpolarized C7) used for many hard drive power adapters, DVD players, even the XBox gaming system, and you probably have several of them lying around your house if you have even an elementary collection of electronics (picture below). If you don’t have one, cords with this connector of various different lengths can be found at your local electronics store.
Once you have the cord, all you need to do is stick the appropriate end into the power brick.
The connection should be fairly secure, and with my 85W Macbook Pro adapter I can hold the adapter by the plugged-in cord and even swing it around a little without the adapter flying off and hurting someone. The metal ping that secures the Apple-made corner piece to the assembly actually puts upward pressure on the cord, making it more secure.
So if you don’t mind a piece of Apple hardware being aesthetically different from the rest, here are your alternative options and how much money you can save using this solution. For sake of argument, I’ll assume that a cord will run you $5 USD at Radio Shack.
- Buy a new power adapter ($80/Amazon). Savings ~$75
- Buy the international Traveler Kit ($42/Amazon). Savings ~$37
- Buy a replacement off eBay (~$3-5). No savings, but you have to wait for it to ship.
Note that by buying your own cable you can extend the length of your adapter’s cord further than the 3-foot length provided by Apple. As far as I know they don’t make longer cords.
Another nice thing about this solution is that the connector is an international standard. You can go into electronics shops in almost any country and find the C7 plug, so even if you wanted a collection of the major types of plugs it will most likely cost you under $20 US.
In summary:
Advantages:
- Cheap
- International standard
- Fast (don’t need to wait for a shipment)
- Moves the brick away from the outlet.
- Can extend the reach of the adapter longer than 3 feet.
Disadvantages:
- Does not match aesthetically
- Not as secure as the Apple plug
- Official part is available on eBay
A list of adapters this mod will work on:
- 85W Adapter for Macbook Pro
- 60W Adapter for Macbook
- 45W Adapter for Macbook Air
- USB iPod Power Adapter
Update 06 May, 2009: AppleInsider is reporting that a class-action lawsuit has been filed against Apple for faulty MagSafe Adapters. The picture in the AppleInsider article is actually exactly what happened to one of my adapters- it was fraying near the magnetic connector and then started to burn through the plastic. I called Apple and they replaced it without giving me any trouble, and the new unit has a stronger neck connecting the magnetic part and the cord itself. However, I just took a look at my other Magsafe, and this time the cord is fraying near the neck connecting the brick and the cord that goes to the laptop. Hrmm…
Technorati Tags: Apple, MagSafe, Power, Adapter, World Traveler, eBay, electricity, plug, accessory, Macbook Pro, Macbook, brick, Radio Shack, Amazon, C7, power cable, cord, iPod
I guess with the new Macs having plenty of black on them this mod would help to make the adapter match the computer!
The MagSafe aspect of the power cords are brilliant, but I can’t help but get the feeling that Apple favours design over usability a little too much.
My MacBook Pro (2007 model) looks great, but is a lot less hard-wearing than my Vaio TX (made in late 2005). I’m waiting for the MBP to come back from Apple (graphics chip failed). Meanwhile this Vaio has been running perfectly for nearly 4 years.
Apple excels at form over function
I’ve got an ‘06 MBP- in my opinion the old powerbook design was just fine- no need for this black bezeled, glossy-screen nonsense.
Thanks for this. My house is old and has few 3 prong outlets. I keep losing the adapters I buy and this allows me to plug in and still not have to sit right next to the outlet.
No problem- glad you found it useful!