Apple chargers suck

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32wildbilly
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Apple chargers suck

Post by 32wildbilly » Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:56 am

Ok so after a few years the cable sheath just upstream from the strain relief on the magsafe plug of the charger started splitting so I figured I would order a new charger because Apple decided it was a good idea for them to not have this cord be replaceable. Ordered an Apple brand charge and paid out the azz. While I can't find my ordering info it has been maybe two to three years ago. Recently I have noticed when I plug in the charger the indicator light doesn't always switch from green(charged) to orange(charging) as it should. I confirmed that the laptop was not charging. If I unplugged and replugged it would typically function properly. Lately it might take a couple of times for things to work. Last night we lost power in a wind storm so I didn't plug in the computer. This morning regardless of how many times I plugged and unplugged it would not work. So dragged out the old charger with the tattered plug wiring and it worked like a charm.

Here's the question: would you stick with the Apple charger for a replacement or buy one of the off brand chargers for the same application?

The Apple shit is expensive and doesn't seem to have a good build quality.
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gnat
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Re: Apple chargers suck

Post by gnat » Mon Oct 12, 2020 11:15 am

Don't know specifically about laptop chargers, but far too many stories out there of off brand iPhone and iPad chargers doing bad things for me to cheap out for a multi-thousand dollar device that I would prefer to not go boom.

But yes those cables seriously suck ass. Their lightening cables for the phone/pad are just as terrible.

Which one of these do you have? I know I have at least one or the other (if not both) running around in an un-frayed state. If I have a match you can have it for the cost of having less useless shit running around my house...

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gnat
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Re: Apple chargers suck

Post by gnat » Mon Oct 12, 2020 11:19 am

Screw it. I've got a 1 to 2 adapter you can have so it will work either way. I'll get it in the mail to you in the next day or so.
16025266750219215754759241917392.jpg

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5chn3ll
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Re: Apple chargers suck

Post by 5chn3ll » Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:21 pm

I have one of those as well...I leave it up in Big Bear with a really old Magsafe adapter so Mrs. S. and I are covered if we forget one.

Handy, but stupid.

If you don't find a Magsafe Billy can use, let me know. I'm sure I have a few at the office.

Understeer: You will hit the wall with the front end.
Oversteer: You will hit the wall with the rear end.
Horsepower: How hard you will hit the wall.
Torque: How far you will move the wall.

Gone hunting with Alec Baldwin and Dick Cheney. Back soon.

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5chn3ll
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Re: Apple chargers suck

Post by 5chn3ll » Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:23 pm

If it makes you feel any better, Billy - if I was in your situation, I'd do this (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Po ... ent/21842 ) first, and then I'd STILL wind up having to find/buy another one.

After the fire.

Understeer: You will hit the wall with the front end.
Oversteer: You will hit the wall with the rear end.
Horsepower: How hard you will hit the wall.
Torque: How far you will move the wall.

Gone hunting with Alec Baldwin and Dick Cheney. Back soon.

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gnat
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Re: Apple chargers suck

Post by gnat » Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:28 pm

5chn3ll wrote: Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:23 pm If it makes you feel any better, Billy - if I was in your situation, I'd do this (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Po ... ent/21842 ) first, and then I'd STILL wind up having to find/buy another one.

After the fire.
#whatcouldpossiblygowrong

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32wildbilly
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Re: Apple chargers suck

Post by 32wildbilly » Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:37 pm

gnat wrote: Mon Oct 12, 2020 11:19 am Screw it. I've got a 1 to 2 adapter you can have so it will work either way. I'll get it in the mail to you in the next day or so.
16025266750219215754759241917392.jpg
I appreciate the offer but I bit the bullet and bought a new charger direct from Apple. Should be here Weds.

Thanks anyway. I was just pissed at Apple's piss poor quality.
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32wildbilly
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Re: Apple chargers suck

Post by 32wildbilly » Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:53 pm

5chn3ll wrote: Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:23 pm If it makes you feel any better, Billy - if I was in your situation, I'd do this (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Po ... ent/21842 ) first, and then I'd STILL wind up having to find/buy another one.

After the fire.
Yeah back in the day I was an electrician and have done plenty of repairs involving soldering connections but would never try that as it looks stupid when you can get a replacement for under $100. I like the instructions starting with "a decent soldering iron" and "be careful of the capacitor..." and "how to bust open the case" Jesus! If you don't have a grasp of this knowledge don't try this shit at home. I am surprised the list of tools didn't include a fire extinguisher for initial testing.

Now I understand the recently voiced frustrations with ifixit.
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5chn3ll
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Re: Apple chargers suck

Post by 5chn3ll » Mon Oct 12, 2020 3:48 pm

While I won't argue that some of the content can be a bit...cavalier...that stuff comes in handy sometimes. I gutted an AirPort Express to run on 12v in my Boxster (don't ask).

I spent too many years trying to get "carputing" to work...should have just waited for phones to evolve. Embarrassingly, I rolled with THIS in my supercharged Tiburon for a year or two:

DSC01421 (1).JPG
DSC01421 (1).JPG (441.55 KiB) Viewed 1528 times

Understeer: You will hit the wall with the front end.
Oversteer: You will hit the wall with the rear end.
Horsepower: How hard you will hit the wall.
Torque: How far you will move the wall.

Gone hunting with Alec Baldwin and Dick Cheney. Back soon.

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5chn3ll
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Re: Apple chargers suck

Post by 5chn3ll » Mon Oct 12, 2020 3:50 pm

In this same car, I had an Apexi Neo fuel tuner installed in the overhead console (where you'd normally stash your sunglasses), but I apparently failed to take a photo of this fast, furious moment in history.

Understeer: You will hit the wall with the front end.
Oversteer: You will hit the wall with the rear end.
Horsepower: How hard you will hit the wall.
Torque: How far you will move the wall.

Gone hunting with Alec Baldwin and Dick Cheney. Back soon.

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