Apple pulls "faulty" MacBook Pro power adapters

Redesigned versions to hit stores in next month

10 October 2007 14:42 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Apple has stopped shipments of MagSafe power adapters for its MacBook Pro notebook line as a result of quality design issues and is presently working on a fix, AppleInsider reports.

"People familiar with the matter" say the inventory of the 85W power supplies have been removed from its retail stores and no shipments are being sent to third party retailers ahead of "redesigned" models that are expected to in the next month.

It seems the adapters have suffered from three problems. The most serious is that the thinner of the two adapter cords can heat up - and fray - creating a potentially serious hazard.

Another issue is a tendency for the tiny pins inside the MagSafe connector to improperly spring back into place, resulting in a faulty connection between the MagSafe connector and the MacBook Pro's built-in power adapter port.

Some adapters are also showing LED faults when the indicator light on the MagSafe connector will intermittently shut off even though the adapter continues to charge the MacBook Pro.

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Hardware, Apple, Laptops