Topic : 60W MagSafe Power Adapter

Topic Archived This topic has been archived - replies are not allowed.


This question is answered. "Helpful" answers available: 0 . "Solved" answers available: 1 .



            Permlink
            Replies : 13 - Pages : 1 - Last Post : Jun 1, 2006 9:04 PM by: NoelEiffe
John Slaughter


Posts: 294
Registered: Jun 15, 2004
60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 17, 2006 8:03 AM
 

Does anyone know if this is the exact same connector as the 85W MBP MagSafe Power Adapter?

I will be in situations where we have a mixed variety of both and I need to know if they cannot be interchanged. There is no documentation on this yet.

=)

MacBook Pro 1.8GHz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  
Ronda Wilson


Posts: 21,474
From: The cornfields of Nebraska
Registered: Feb 2, 2003
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 17, 2006 8:14 AM   in response to: John Slaughter
 

If you read the descriptions of them at the online Apple Store, the 60-watt says, "Compatible with MacBook." The 85-watt says, "Compatible with MacBook Pro."

I would say that they are NOT interchangeable.

eMac800/SuperDrive/512; iBook800G3Combo/640-OS 10.3.9; iBook G4/1.2G/768/10.4.x   Mac OS 9.2.x  
Ned Snowing


Posts: 12,336
From: Spain
Registered: Nov 6, 2002
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 17, 2006 8:19 AM   in response to: John Slaughter
Helpful

nsnowingGiven previous experience with varying iBook/PowerBook adapters I would say that a MacBook will happily use a MacBook Pro's 85W adapter (though I wouldn't suggest the reverse). Providing the connectors are the same you should be fine.

I think they are differentiating the two models given the difference in size of the two adapters.

Mac mini Core Duo 1.66GHz 2GB/80GB/SD ; PowerBook G4 1.25GHz 1GB/80GB/SD   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   Dell 2405FPW ; Maxtor OneTouch 250GB ; Pioneer DVR-109BK ; iSight ; iPod 4G 40GB
John Slaughter


Posts: 294
Registered: Jun 15, 2004
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 17, 2006 8:35 AM   in response to: Ronda Wilson
 

I was referring to Physically compatible. Will I inevitably end up attaching a 60W adapter to my MacBook Pro and then watch the adapter pop like popcorn in the microwave?

Are they physically the same connector? And if so, are there any distinguishing characteristics that set them apart. (Aside from the really tiny letters on the side that say 60W and 85W.) That was my biggest gripe about the iBook/PowerBook adapters. They aren't completely interchangeable, but they are identical in physical design.

EDIT:
I just noticed the sizes are different. I didn't think to look at the store for them individually. That will be a big help.

=)

MacBook Pro 1.8GHz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  
Ronda Wilson


Posts: 21,474
From: The cornfields of Nebraska
Registered: Feb 2, 2003
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 17, 2006 8:57 AM   in response to: John Slaughter
 

The only thing not completely interchangeable about the 45-watt original adapter that came with some earlier iBooks and the 65-watt models that came later is that the 45-watt won't charge a PowerBook while you're using it. That's the only deficiency of compatibility I'm aware of.

Of course, the original iBook's adapter plug was incompatible with later models.

eMac800/SuperDrive/512; iBook800G3Combo/640-OS 10.3.9; iBook G4/1.2G/768/10.4.x   Mac OS 9.2.x  
jchristensen

Posts: 22
Registered: Nov 17, 2005
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 17, 2006 5:49 PM   in response to: John Slaughter
Helpful

I bought an extra 85W MagSafe power adapter to do with the included 60W adapter of a black MacBook 2.0GHz. This was on the recommendation of an Apple Store employee (they did not have individually packaged 60W versions in yet).

The two adapters differ only in size, the 85W being larger. The MagSafe end of the cable is identical. And.. I can say from experience that the 85W charges the MacBook just fine.

MacBook 2.0GHz (black)   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   XServe, XServe Raid, Xsan
John Slaughter


Posts: 294
Registered: Jun 15, 2004
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 17, 2006 5:53 PM   in response to: jchristensen
 

Marked as answered.

Thanks everyone.

MacBook Pro 1.8GHz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  
Duffy


Posts: 342
From: D.C.
Registered: Mar 17, 2005
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 20, 2006 8:45 AM   in response to: John Slaughter
 

Just as to add some info FYI. I used my MBP with my MB power adapter last night. Worked just fine.

Macbook (Stealth edition)   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   2GHz / 1GB / 80 GB 7200 RPM / Superdrive / Bootcamp
myself_is_goodie!

Posts: 11
Registered: Apr 29, 2006
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 20, 2006 8:56 AM   in response to: Duffy
 

Then why do we have two versions?

PC - AMD AthlonXP 2500+ 1.13GHz   Other OS   ATI Radeon 9200 ATLANTIS FireGL compatible 128DDR Graphics card
Ned Snowing


Posts: 12,336
From: Spain
Registered: Nov 6, 2002
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 20, 2006 9:27 AM   in response to: myself_is_goodie!
 

nsnowingThen why do we have two versions?

There are a couple of reasons that spring to mind…

- Manufacture price. If the MB only require 60W and they're cheaper to make you're better off doing that for both Apple and the buyer.

- Size. As the MB does not require 85W (or is it 80W?) then there's no reason to need to carry around the larger adapter.

Mac mini Core Duo 1.66GHz 2GB/80GB/SD ; PowerBook G4 1.25GHz 1GB/80GB/SD   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   Dell 2405FPW ; Maxtor OneTouch 250GB ; Pioneer DVR-109BK ; iSight ; iPod 4G 40GB
alexkingorg

Posts: 1
Registered: May 24, 2006
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 23, 2006 10:46 PM   in response to: Ronda Wilson
 

Actually, I believe you can use the MacBook Pro (85W) adapter with the MacBook.

I've written up details here:

http://www.alexking.org/blog/2006/05/23/macbook-power-adapter/

PowerMac G5 Quad, MacBook, Mac mini   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

   
NoelEiffe

Posts: 15
Registered: May 31, 2006
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 31, 2006 7:43 PM   in response to: Ned Snowing
 

So if you're using one or two FW devices that draw power from the connector on an MB, does the extra power of the larger ps help?

MacBook 2ghz   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   Firebox, Logic, Reason, Live
Ned Snowing


Posts: 12,336
From: Spain
Registered: Nov 6, 2002
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: May 31, 2006 7:58 PM   in response to: NoelEiffe
 

nsnowingSo if you're using one or two FW devices that draw power from the connector on an MB, does the extra power of the larger ps help?

No. Theoretically at least. The reason is that the amount of power that can be delivered via a FireWire port is limited. You MacBook will only give so much power which should be covered by the 60W power adapter. As I understand it, connecting more than one bus powered device to a single FireWire port is not recommended.

Having said that, some (this is a very small "some") PowerBook users have found that their PowerBook do sometimes draw more power than their power adapter can deliver which does trip the adapter causing a failure in power delivery. Going with a larger power adapter did help in the vast majority of cases.

Due to it larger wattage and larger physical size the 85W adapter MAY run cooler with your MacBook than the 60W adapter.

Mac mini Core Duo 1.66GHz 2GB/80GB/SD ; PowerBook G4 1.25GHz 1GB/80GB/SD   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   Dell 2405FPW ; Maxtor OneTouch 250GB ; Pioneer DVR-109BK ; iSight ; iPod 4G 40GB
NoelEiffe

Posts: 15
Registered: May 31, 2006
Re: 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 9:04 PM   in response to: Ned Snowing
 

Cool, thanks. Incidentally, at the Genius Bar of the Burlington MA Apple store today, the tech argued that using a higher wattage PS in a lower wattage MB ran a too-high risk. Huh? Well, the theory is that by flooding your battery with too much power, you would over a long period of time run a high risk of shortening its life, and this was not recommended. "It'll work, but I don't think it's a good idea."

As the politicians would stay, "the jury's still out..."?



MacBook 2ghz   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   Firebox, Logic, Reason, Live