MagSafe Power adapter for mbp 4,1 MB133LL/A 60W or 85w?

Would I be alright just getting a second A1184 or am I putting my mbp at risk?
M. John Matlaw wrote on :
I picked up a 15" mbp and was thinking about picking up an extra power adapter. The one that came with it seems to work alright, I just would have an easier time having a second one around. Specs at http://support.apple.com/kb/SP4 say 85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system but the one that came with it says 60W Mag safe Power Adapter Model No: A1184. I noticed the 60Ws are cheaper. What's the story? Would I be alright just getting a second A1184 or am I putting my mbp at risk? John
Martin Τrautmann replied on :

On Fri, 15 Jun 2012 04:07:56 -0400, M. John Matlaw wrote:

I picked up a 15" mbp and was thinking about picking up an extra power adapter. The one that came with it seems to work alright, I just would have an easier time having a second one around. Specs at http://support.apple.com/kb/SP4 say 85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system but the one that came with it says 60W Mag safe Power Adapter Model No: A1184. I noticed the 60Ws are cheaper. What's the story? Would I be alright just getting a second A1184 or am I putting my mbp at risk? John

As a spare part it's enough to sell the stronger one - less discussions and mistakes both for customer and dealer.

Sales prices are more or less the same and far from real costs.

However, I'm surprised that magsafe now is available from 3rd paries - tons of much cheaper offers on ebay - e.g. from £15 on.

Since all devices are built in china, Apple must have the stronger quality check, but the others could be the same quality.

  • Martin
M. John Matlaw replied on :

Martin ?rautmann wrote:

On Fri, 15 Jun 2012 04:07:56 -0400, M. John Matlaw wrote:

I picked up a 15" mbp and was thinking about picking up an extra power adapter. The one that came with it seems to work alright, I just would have an easier time having a second one around. Specs at http://support.apple.com/kb/SP4 say 85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system but the one that came with it says 60W Mag safe Power Adapter Model No: A1184. I noticed the 60Ws are cheaper. What's the story? Would I be alright just getting a second A1184 or am I putting my mbp at risk? John

As a spare part it's enough to sell the stronger one - less discussions and mistakes both for customer and dealer.

Sales prices are more or less the same and far from real costs.

However, I'm surprised that magsafe now is available from 3rd paries - tons of much cheaper offers on ebay - e.g. from £15 on.

Since all devices are built in china, Apple must have the stronger quality check, but the others could be the same quality.

  • Martin

Actually, I was talking about Apple branded parts in both cases but thanks for the reply. John

Martin Τrautmann replied on :

On Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:22:15 -0400, M. John Matlaw wrote:

As a spare part it's enough to sell the stronger one - less discussions and mistakes both for customer and dealer.

Sales prices are more or less the same and far from real costs.

However, I'm surprised that magsafe now is available from 3rd paries - tons of much cheaper offers on ebay - e.g. from £15 on.

Since all devices are built in china, Apple must have the stronger quality check, but the others could be the same quality.

  • Martin

Actually, I was talking about Apple branded parts in both cases but thanks for the reply. John

Three of four sentences were related to Apple branded parts. You're welcome, Martin

David Empson replied on :

M. John Matlaw mjlaw@redacted.invalid wrote:

I picked up a 15" mbp and was thinking about picking up an extra power adapter. The one that came with it seems to work alright, I just would have an easier time having a second one around. Specs at http://support.apple.com/kb/SP4 say 85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system but the one that came with it says 60W Mag safe Power Adapter Model No: A1184. I noticed the 60Ws are cheaper.

The 60W and 85W adapters are exactly the same price on the Apple US store (US$79). In other countries they might vary depending on the timing of when they were released, and the exchange rate vs the US dollar at that point in time.

A 15" MacBook Pro should be using an 85W adapter. If you got a 60W adapter with it, someone made a mistake. A 60W adapter will work, but it might not be able to provide enough power to charge the battery while the computer is active, and it may take longer to charge the battery while the computer is sleeping or shut down.

If the computer is working hard (e.g. playing a game which heavily exercises the CPU and GPU), it is more likely to need to use the battery to supplement the power adapter, which will eventually force the computer to go to sleep even though it is plugged into mains power.

What's the story? Would I be alright just getting a second A1184 or am I putting my mbp at risk? John

Buy an 85W adapter, and only use the 60W one as a backup.

M. John Matlaw replied on :

David Empson wrote:

M. John Matlaw mjlaw@redacted.invalid wrote:

I picked up a 15" mbp and was thinking about picking up an extra power adapter. The one that came with it seems to work alright, I just would have an easier time having a second one around. Specs at http://support.apple.com/kb/SP4 say 85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system but the one that came with it says 60W Mag safe Power Adapter Model No: A1184. I noticed the 60Ws are cheaper.

The 60W and 85W adapters are exactly the same price on the Apple US store (US$79). In other countries they might vary depending on the timing of when they were released, and the exchange rate vs the US dollar at that point in time.

A 15" MacBook Pro should be using an 85W adapter. If you got a 60W adapter with it, someone made a mistake. A 60W adapter will work, but it might not be able to provide enough power to charge the battery while the computer is active, and it may take longer to charge the battery while the computer is sleeping or shut down.

If the computer is working hard (e.g. playing a game which heavily exercises the CPU and GPU), it is more likely to need to use the battery to supplement the power adapter, which will eventually force the computer to go to sleep even though it is plugged into mains power.

What's the story? Would I be alright just getting a second A1184 or am I putting my mbp at risk? John

Buy an 85W adapter, and only use the 60W one as a backup.

Thanks for the info. I was looking at used prices on e-bay and elsewhere and hadn't gotten too far before getting confused by the 60/85 question. I believe a couple of places listed the 60W as being cheaper. Sounds like the 85 is the way to go. John