Voltage of new Mac Mini (2009) Power Adapter

I'm guessing this has something to do with compliance labeling and safety certifications. The power brick SKUs are probably identical at the circuit board level but Apple is possibly saving a buck by splitting the world into two part numbers and claiming the one in N. Amer. and other low voltage countries, is 100-120VAC only thereby making it easier and cheaper to certify within those countries, when in fact it is the exact same part as the 240VAC one. That's my guess. It would explain why the N. Amer. version seems to be working all over the world without issue.

Here's an example of what I mean; let's say that if the power supply in N. Amer. was rated 100-240 VAC as it is in Europe, then UL would require Apple to use a power cord material of higher rating that costs 10¢ more than if the adapter carried only a 100-120 VAC rating. In that case, even though the power supply itself is identical, Apple would make two part numbers from the same power supply and claim the lower rating for one version to save the money on the power cord. 10¢ saved on thousands of units adds up. That's just "for example." I'm not claiming that to be truth or the actual reason. Just a possible explanation. But I am saying the real reason could be something like that.

I just picked up my new mini today and was disappointed to notice the power adapter claiming maximum input is only 120v. I bought my mini in the US and my mother-in-law brought it into Argentina for me. I want to use it here in Argentina, which has 220v. I think I just get a transformer for the doubts. However I would appreciate an official word from Apple on this matter!

Expatarg,
Have you tried it without the transformer?
I am receiving one next week (im also in argentina) bought in the US, and i want to know if the transformer is really necessary.
I belive it is not, since every switching power supply is capable of handling from 240 to 110 without problems.
It is on the nature of the switching power supply to measure the input voltage level, in order to set the output correctly.

Something worries me... i have a HP zv6000 laptop (3 years old), that has a big 120w power supply. I do not have the mini yet (next week), but the photos of the plug are almost identical to this HP power supply. This one is rated 120W, 18.5V output. I had some problems with this power supply (the shielding of the cable was cut beucase i am a little bit careless and the twisting of the cable cutted it). I opened it two times to fix this cutted shielding thing, and i found that the power supply is pretty well designed (it is also a delta power supply). It measures the voltage drop on the computer (since this computer is an energy monster) and compensates the drop.
Im pretty sure that this is the same power supply, or something very very similar.

I can now confirm that it is working on 220V 50Hz.
I bought this Mac Mini on US, it came with a power supply printed with 110V-120V 50-60Hz, but it is working with 220V 50Hz.

I just bought a new Mac mini this week and returned to Hungary with it. After reading numerous posts on this board, I decided to plug in my mini brick (clearly specified on it 110 W & Input AC 100-120...; part number A1188) using just a plug adapter. It works with no apparent problem. I believe that this is just a simple case of Apple's mislabeling.

Same here. Works fine in 240V even though it is labeled 110-120V.

If you look at the Apple Store web site and the spec's for the mini

Here


On the right it says "Line voltage: 100-120V AC
(applies to U.S., Japan, and S. America only)"

So with that info, you might have to buy one when you get to the EU, but it might be worth a try in calling support, one never knows.

I don't think I would plug a US adapter into a EU source, work or no work, just too scarry.

Message was edited by: Dakota

The technical spec says line input voltage is 100-120 V 50-60Hz. This does not make sense : 100-120 Volt AC supply is always at 60Hz, where as 220-240V AC supply is always at 50Hz. If the spec says both 50-60 Hz then obviously underneath the circuit board is 100-240V and apple is labeling it as 100-120V AC in order to reduce regulatory procedure and paperwork.

switch mode power supplies are usually made 100-240V and there is no point for apple to increase its bill of materials by having 2 types of power bricks.

I can confirm that the US version of the late 2009 Mac Mini Server still uses the A1188 PSU and does indeed work on 220V, despite the labelling on the brick.

Admittedly I didn't even look and just plugged mine in expecting it to work. I was actually checking the forums to see the difference between the 85W and the 110W bricks

I can also verify that an A1188 power supply works on 220V, 50Hz (Iceland). This came with a Mac Mini bought in Best Buy, Boston on November 27th.

I read through this thread and did my share of research, as the 100-120V specification totally came out of left field for me (and supporting both 50 and 60Hz added to the puzzle). After a day of deliberation and getting advice from knowledgeable people, I plugged the power adapter (solo, not connected to the Mini). Since nothing blew up and it didn't heat up to any degree, I plugged it into the Mini and started it up. That was the hardest part, and the last fort: if anything was going to blow, it would have done so when the Mini was turned on and started drawing power from the adapter. According to my sources, it still would have protected the Mini from a power surge.

Perhaps I'll put a multimeter on it soon, to see if the output voltage is steady at 18.5W. As for now, it's off to setting it up and hooking it to the TV 🙂

Is it possible that an Apple expert confirm that 110-120volts works with 220volts?
I believe all post about that but could be better an official explanation on that matter

Just a short confirmation, my new Mac Mini (just bought in San Francisco) works like a charm here in Austria. No warranty from me but i guess its really only a wrong label print on the powerbrick.

its a marking decision to distract european and foreign buyers.
I bought the mac mini last week and brought it to Israel
Yes the box and the web site list it at 110 and its written in big letters on the adaptor.
However in small letters on the adaptor it list 110-240. All you need is to change the plug at the end.
You can buy a 1$ piece and do it your self or buy a cord or take a cord that you have that fits.

Apple did this because this product it its only desktop that can be bought and squeezed into a suit case. There is a big difference in price in my country. It sells for 3699 nis which is 1000$.
I paid 349 plus michigan sales tax. I got a 250$ customer discount for brining in a defective ipod.
its a great machine, so buy and dont worry...about apple trying to scar you off with the plug

Hello there MacResti and cooliquid,

I'm from Israel too and about to visit the US next month.
I want to ask your confirmation regarding connection of the Mac Mini bought at the US with the 110-120V adapter to Israeli power supplies.

1. Is everything still works fine?
2. Do you have any transformator between the power adapter and the Mini?
3. Did you buy a regular 110-220V jack converter and plugged the Mini in?

Thanks for your time, Liran.

Message was edited by: CoLiran

I've found it at the adapter review's page and I confirm the information. It really work's

http://store.apple.com/us/reviews/MA407LL/A?mco=MTcwNjk2NzA&rs=newest
My adapter says 100-120v. I am an American living in the UK for a time and was hoping this adapter would work in England. With fear, I plugged it in today and it works great. Just changed the plug and all is well!