Are all Apple MagSafe Adapters created equally?

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Are all Apple MagSafe Adapters created equally?

Good evening everyone. My question is very simple. I own an Apple MacBook (2008) which I am currently using an 85Watt MagSafe AC Adapter with. It works perfectly, charges the battery and runs by itself solo with no battery connected. This Adapter I am using is obviously not the original as the original AC Adapter is a 60Watt Adapter. My question is SHOULD this 85 Watt "T" style AC Adapter technically work with an Apple MacBook (Late 2009) laptop? When I plug the AC Adapter in I receive an "Amber" LED on the adapter connector (used with the Late 2009 MacBook). When I plug it into my MacBook (2008) it is Green and powers on the laptop as it should. I know from reference here (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2346) that I should be using the "L" shape AC adapter for the (Late 2009) MacBook.

My question is.....SHOULD my Adapter that I currently use for the MacBook (2008) model actually work in the MacBook (Late 2009) or do I NEED to use the "L" style Adapter for this to work. I do not have the "L" shaped AC Adapter. So I am really just wondering if technically the Adapter that I currently have should work in both units?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am not a "NOOB" I understand all the facts and figures here. But if the AC Adapter I am using with my MacBook (2008) is incorrect and it still works with this laptop, should it work with both laptops?

iBook, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Feb 7, 2013 3:46 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

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361,741 points

Feb 7, 2013 3:48 PM in response to Joophis23

The L and T adaptors are functionally the same.

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Answer 2

Joophis23 Author

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Feb 7, 2013 3:51 PM in response to Kappy

OK....Thank you for confirming what I thought was correct. Do you know why they make the MagSafe 2 Adapter? If they should both work?

Also, do you have any idea why the LED on the 2009 would be Amber when plugged in, and plugged into the 2008 its green?

This seems to be my issue. Any idea where else to look?

I get 3.4v at the power button, so I know the board is pushing power.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Feb 7, 2013 3:55 PM in response to Joophis23

Amber simply means the battery is not fully charged.

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Answer 4

Feb 7, 2013 3:58 PM in response to Joophis23

Amber = charging

Green = fully charged

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Answer 5

Joophis23 Author

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Feb 7, 2013 3:59 PM in response to Kappy

OK....So with no battery connected at all and the AC Adapter is plugged in (with amber LED) which it does even with the battery plugged in and the adapter connecte it should still power on?

Do you know where I might start to look inside the unit for the fault as it does not turn on in either circumstance.

Thanks in advance.

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Answer 6

Joophis23 Author

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Feb 7, 2013 4:04 PM in response to Joophis23

I guess at this point I am looking for component level repair advice from a senior technician. My Adapter is operating perfectly, does anyone know where I should start looking for a failure?

Any ideas?

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Answer 7

Feb 7, 2013 4:24 PM in response to Joophis23

• My question is.....SHOULD my Adapter that I currently use for the MacBook (2008) model actually work in the MacBook (Late 2009)

Yes.

• or do I NEED to use the "L" style Adapter for this to work.

No.

• So I am really just wondering if technically the Adapter that I currently have should work in both units?

Yes.

• should it work with both laptops?

Yes.

I would look for the cause of any consistencies elsewhere, not in the power adapter or the shape of the connector.

You could start by monitoring the health of your batteries. I use this handy little tool:

http://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutbattery/

(For what it's worth, I remember reading that the shape change was introduced because when unplugging some people were pulling on the cord rather than the plug. The L shape makes it impossible to unplug by pulling the cable.)

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