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andretan · Aug 30, 2005, 03:21 PM

How many of you guys actually like or hate the Powerbook/iBook's white power adapter?

Pros:
1) it's nice looking (when it's brand new)
2) has 2 prongs for you to bundle up that wire
3) makes PC laptop users look with envy when they see how nice looking the Apple power adapter is, compared to their grey/black/whatever-color brick

Cons:
1) it's also easily scratched (since it's white and shiny plastic)
2) the prongs are too fragile
3) the wire frays easily (I believe most of you have this happened to you before)
4) it's expensive
5) it can't be opened up or anything without breaking it

I think Apple should make a new one for their new (read: Intel) Powerbooks or iBooks.

mrmister · Aug 30, 2005, 03:59 PM

Well, I guarantee this: Apple won't make tha adapter that much cheaper, because nothing Apple makes trends in that direction, particularly when we're talking about accessories.

Kvasir · Aug 30, 2005, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by andretan

How many of you guys actually like or hate the Powerbook/iBook's white power adapter?

Pros:
1) it's nice looking (when it's brand new)
2) has 2 prongs for you to bundle up that wire
3) makes PC laptop users look with envy when they see how nice looking the Apple power adapter is, compared to their grey/black/whatever-color brick

Cons:
1) it's also easily scratched (since it's white and shiny plastic)
2) the prongs are too fragile
3) the wire frays easily (I believe most of you have this happened to you before)
4) it's expensive
5) it can't be opened up or anything without breaking it

I think Apple should make a new one for their new (read: Intel) Powerbooks or iBooks.

Not following you?

1) It's a power brick, who cares how it looks as long as it's light, small, and works?
2) the newer ones have a grounded 3-prong cord (yes, it's grounded to the brick) which I love.

Only wire I've had "fray" has been one my parrot chewed up. I've never had an issue with them (I have several, old ones, and new ones - one for work, one for home, one for travel). The work ones and home ones are plugged in 24/7, so I can just connect when needed. And they strike me as no more expensive then Dell bricks, IBM bricks, Twinhead bricks (those are the only WinPC ones I have experience with).

Sorry, but I don't get the rant at all.

TFunkadelic · Aug 31, 2005, 01:42 AM

I'd like it more if it were aluminum like the powerbook.

brettcamp · Aug 31, 2005, 02:35 AM

The biggest problem with the current adapters is the tendency for the wire coating to come loose where it joins the adapter. I'm pretty sure there's a thread here or elsewhere about how this is a design defect and that a lot of Apple portable owners have experienced it. My iBook adapter started shooting off sparks a couple years ago, and it had frayed right there at the base. Apple sent me a new one as soon as I mentioned "sparks," as they should have.

andretan · Aug 31, 2005, 03:22 AM

Originally Posted by Kvasir

Not following you?

1) It's a power brick, who cares how it looks as long as it's light, small, and works?
2) the newer ones have a grounded 3-prong cord (yes, it's grounded to the brick) which I love.

Only wire I've had "fray" has been one my parrot chewed up. I've never had an issue with them (I have several, old ones, and new ones - one for work, one for home, one for travel). The work ones and home ones are plugged in 24/7, so I can just connect when needed. And they strike me as no more expensive then Dell bricks, IBM bricks, Twinhead bricks (those are the only WinPC ones I have experience with).

Sorry, but I don't get the rant at all.

Sorry, the prongs mentioned in my post are referring to the folding L-shaped hooks for you to wind the cable around it. Just to clear things up a little.

Crusoe · Aug 31, 2005, 06:43 AM

Except for that it's white, and quickly turns all different colors from dirt, it's fine.

I much preferred the hockey puck of the original TiBooks, I trip over mine and broke it on my old TiBook 500, sad day. They were grey and could be used in self defense.

Big Fat Octopus · Aug 31, 2005, 08:33 AM

Crikey! Some people must be heavy handed with their stuff?

I think the AC adaptor is great! Compare it to a monster brick like Dell laptops ship with, the Apple AC adaptor (like most things Apple touches) comes up looking pretty darned great.

I understand how the cable might fail over time with lots of winding and unwinding. Maybe I've been lucky? I also agree that they are overpriced by at least 30%.

A big plus for me is the fact that I can use the included cable with the AC adaptor at home and the wall plug adaptor on it at work. I only have to carry the AC Adaptor with me. No metal prongs damaging things inside the bag!

I think Apple will stick with the design.

Kvasir · Aug 31, 2005, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by andretan

Sorry, the prongs mentioned in my post are referring to the folding L-shaped hooks for you to wind the cable around it. Just to clear things up a little.

oops, my bad. Still, I don't find the cord wrap prongs flimsy - they've never broken for my carry/backup powersupply? And, maybe I've been lucky, but I've never had a cord go bad, nor a plug (either end).

My main response to this post was the complaint about the look/scratching? I just don't get that. It's a power brick - it sits on the floor, under the desk, whereever. But I've never showed it off to anyone, don't really give a dang how it looks - it just has to work (and be small, light, and portable).