So I'm having the same problem as thousands of others. Wanted to interject a thought, then ask a question. Here goes:
I read a possible deteriorant of the cable is the oil from your skin if you eat a lot of spicy foods which effects the body's overall pH level. Having said that, I SPECULATE another related cause would be the application of lotions and hand creams (most al of which are oil based). A helpful tip might be to ensure your hands are clean and dry before handling any area on the charger other than the plastic block. I've seen this on the charger for my MacbookPro, as well as my iPad and iPhones (yes multiple). What lead to this deduction is that my MacbookPro's charger started deteriorating and I mostly handle the cords (for all my devices) while getting ready for work after showering and applying body lotions and the like. When I wrapped my laptop's cord (at the charging point on the computer), it seemed fine for a while, but tonight it just quit. Thinking I should just change out the electrical tape wrapping, I found sticky hunky goo and a residue on the bare cable that was a pale green color (sea foam or light aqua color). It was a big mess and I'm sure toxic as well to some level. So there my addition to the thread, now the question I wanted to ask is:
Clearly I'll need to replace this nasty cord...no other way around it at this point. But the replacement apparently runs the equivalent of your first born child's.soul, a house in the Hampton's, and a pair of Donald J Pliner snakeskin boots!!! What's more is that this problem keeps perpetuating, I don't care who you are...this charger is like handling a thin glass Rolls Royce. It's GONNA need about annual replacing. It is what it is (hate that saying), so gulp it down and press on. Side note, I just love my MacbookPro and am excited about the Yosemite update on its way!!
So are there any alternative charger plugs for this computer class? Hopefully not some bootleg, "get a charger and Rolex here!!" deal from inside someone's long car coat, but a respectable brand that can at least replicate the plug-in point for the L-connection. Found chargers with the correct specifications that I'd be willing to take a chance on with a non-Genuine Apple product, but they just don't fit in my machine!!
So we've become THAT proprietary now have we?? I'm a die hard huge Apple supporter but Shame on you Apple. That's the same thing Samsung and Panasonic and many others are guilty of when there's no need to be. Your software and inside the computer...I get it...Apples with Apples, but a charger??.....Shame on you!!! Anyone else follow the movement to universalize all electronic brands?? Example home media sharing with Divx? No one seems to completely understand that entirely by the way ( very frustrating personal Internet research project). Media is pulled from device to player vs pushed to player (like AppleTV which always works best for me...provided I can CHARGE MY COMPUTER!!!!!!)
