Magsafe 85w adapter instead of 65w

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Level 4

1,704 points

Magsafe 85w adapter instead of 65w

I tried a search for this but could not find a definitve answer.

My daughter’s 13" MacBook Magsafe power adapter - 65w, got chewed on by her cat. heh

Hers outputs 65w, I have an extra that outputs 85w. Will the higher output hurt her computer?

Macbook Pro 17" iPhone4-32GB iPhone3G-16GB iPhone2G-8GB iPod Photo-40GB, Mac OS X (10.6.4), Boot Camp

Posted on Jan 7, 2011 9:55 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jan 7, 2011 10:13 AM in response to hot_spur

No. The wattage rating merely indicates how much power the adaptor can deliver if needed by the computer. The 85 watt adaptor works just as well as the 65 watt adaptor. The main risk is if the computer develops a short circuit and starts drawing more power than it is rated for, the adaptor will not shut off the power until the drain reaches the rated limit of the adaptor. Hence, the reason MacBooks have a lower power adaptor than MacBook Pros.

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Answer 2

hot_spur Author

Level 4

1,704 points

Jan 7, 2011 11:13 AM in response to Kappy

Thanks for your reply.

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Answer 3

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Jan 7, 2011 11:41 AM in response to hot_spur

My daughter's cat chewed up four successive power adapter cords for her Powerbook. That was one expensive cat. Eventually dear daughter got a job overseas and had to give the cat away, or she'd still be a paying (through the nose!) member of the Adapter-of-the-Month Club.

Keep the cat away from the computer. Cats and computers don't mix at all.

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