why the hell are these things worth $80-$100? I saw some $10 ones on ebay, but wtf?

5/24/2009 2:24:05 PM

ones on ebay: cheap chinese knockoffs that may or may not explode
ones from the OEM: supported products that may or may not explode

5/24/2009 5:23:29 PM

or you could take the dealextreme gamble

50/50 that it will explode

5/24/2009 11:05:15 PM

anyone have experience with knockoff AC adapters on macbook pros?

i need two more.. one for the home office, and one for the backpack, and don't really want to pay so much.

5/25/2009 11:31:19 AM

^i have the same dilemma.

i've looked at them on ebay many, many times... but never actually had the courage to order one.

after hearing about even the damn apple-branded adapters exploding, i don't think it's worth the risk...

5/25/2009 12:06:10 PM

Quote :

"ones on ebay: cheap chinese knockoffs that may or may not explode ones from the OEM: supported products that may or may not explode"

ones on ebay: Buy another from China if the first does explode. Get in 2-3 weeks for $10.
one from the OEM: Call tech support in China. Pray the warranty has not expired or company is kinda enough to issue replacement/recall. Get in 2-3 weeks for $0.

For those who don't know, computer hardware margins are VERY low these days. Accessories, Software, Maintenance/Warranties, and Education/Services are where the margins are at. This is why you can get a $2 USB cable online instead of paying $30 at Best Buy. Same goes for your AC adaptors.

5/26/2009 1:28:18 AM

see, if your computer is still under warranty and it gets fubar'd because you were using a cheap knockoff ac adapter, they probably won't cover it.

if you're out of warranty, then by all means, go ahead.

5/26/2009 1:43:30 AM

how the fuck are they gonna find out?

what're you going to do, send the AC adapter in the box with your laptop and brag about saving $90 on it?

"It just quit working. It made popping noises and smells like smoke."

this is pretty much all the service people ever need to know. if it didn't just quit working, be creative -- it usually makes life easier.

[Edited on May 26, 2009 at 4:09 AM. Reason : .]

5/26/2009 4:06:24 AM

i have two aftermarket kensington adapters...one of the flat ones and one of the newest ones that has a USB port on it...i like them both, really...you can get the universal 90w units for $20 and free shipping from newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001803+4808+4016&name=Kensington&SpeTabStoreType=94

you can also get this belkin unit (which has a USB charging jack) for $27 AR:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=139-010

[Edited on May 26, 2009 at 9:42 AM. Reason : .]

5/26/2009 9:26:15 AM

Quote :

"how the fuck are they gonna find out? what're you going to do, send the AC adapter in the box with your laptop and brag about saving $90 on it? "It just quit working. It made popping noises and smells like smoke." this is pretty much all the service people ever need to know. if it didn't just quit working, be creative -- it usually makes life easier. "

oh i know all about being creative to service techs

but if the damage was obviously caused by your AC adapter (say, in the case of a macbook, the magsafe connector melted into the chassis), i'm sure they'd want the adapter back as well.

5/26/2009 11:27:26 AM

so send whatever you have that's OEM... you'll get it back with a Brand New Laptop!!

if you're totally out of OEM parts, then obviously the problem has to start with the adapter, and it must itself be consumed in the failure...

1. http://tinyurl.com/qvwlwm ("NEW 75 KVA Oil Filled Pole Mounted Transformer")

2.



3. ...

4. Warranty Replacement?

5/26/2009 12:54:37 PM

its not under warranty anymore, so im pretty much effed in that regard. I bought one of the cheap china knockoffs off ebay, but may hold off on using it after hearing evan's horror stories of them catching fire.

5/26/2009 2:04:54 PM

I bought one for my dell laptop off ebay about 5 months ago. It works fine so far.

5/26/2009 3:00:19 PM

honestly, OEM power bricks suck donkey balls...i've had more problems with them than either targus or kensington universal bricks

5/26/2009 3:06:23 PM