Macbook Pro, Macbook, Macbook Air adapter Q&A:
The ones in Bold are the most asked questions.
Q: I already have XYZ (some adapter you have) adapter what do I need to charge my Macbook Pro, Macbook, Macbook Air?
A: Please see our guide here
Q: What should I order? What do you suggest? What should I buy?
A: Please read our reviews on the types of adapters we carry.
Q: Can the Apple Airline adapter be converted?
A: No. Apple prevents charging in the airplane cable. It does NOT have the charging circuitry built in.
Q: Will you buy the 180 deg straight on Magsafe?
A: No, we only buy the newest 90 deg Magsafes. We will not buy the older style Magsafes anymore.
Q: What is the difference between adapters such as the AC/DC "all-in-one" adapters and the Mikegyver Power Travel Kit?
A: They do exactly the same thing except the Kensington combine the two power bricks into one slim unit, whereas the Mikegyver kit has two separate adapters-- one Apple AC adapter and one DC adapter. You will also have to unplug the Magsafe cable and plug it into the adapter you'll be using.
Q: What's the difference between the Kensington and the iGo?
A: Functionally, there is not a whole lot different. The iGo appear to have more tips for more devices out there(it also comes with a dual power outlet so that you can charge a laptop and another device at the same time), whereas the Kensington is lighter and slimmer.
Q: I want to charge/power both my Macbook air and Macbook Pro?
A: Assuming you want to use one adapter with two laptops, you'll need two cables, one for the Macbook air and one for your Macbook. The Macbook/MBP and Macbook Air cables require the appropriate tips. Please see our guide here.
Q: WILL I BE ABLE TO CHARGE MY MACBOOK PRO WHILE USING THE PC AT THE SAME TIME WHILE ON DC POWER?
A: YES!
Q: Will this work with the new 17” unibody Macbook Pro?
A: Yes.
Q: Will the Macbook Air cable work with the Macbook or Macbook Pro?
A: Maybe, test show that the newest last two generation Macbook Pros may work. It will power and charge the Macbook Air as usual.
Q: I already have an Apple Adapter and a third party adapter that I would like to convert, can you convert mine for me?
A: YES! Please go here
Q: Can you convert my dead apple adapter if i send you mine for your “user supplied” option?
A: Yes!
Q: What is the difference between your solution and me using an inverter?
A: Inverters convert DC power (car/Airplane/boat power) into AC power (household power). If you are using the Apple adapter with an inverter, the Apple adapter actually converts the AC power BACK to DC power. As you can see you are wasting a tremendous amount of energy converting from DC to AC, then BACK to DC. This could mean a dead car battery sooner then you think(If using straight battery power)! This is also the reason why you cannot use inverters on airplanes because they supply limited power.
Our DC adapter just modifies the already DC power (in your car/airplane/boat) that is friendly to the laptop DC power. No wasted energy! And because it is extremely efficient, there's enough power to charge your Macbook Pro in airlines.
Q: I bought a Kensington Ultra Portable Power Inverter 150. If I plug the Kensington into the Empower port at the seat and plug your converted magsafe power supply into the Kensington, will it work?
A: No. Power inverters will not work. That is the reason for our conversion. There is a wasted amount of energy converting from DC to AC then BACK to DC. In this case, you will need to use our car/air adapter (which is not an inverter).
Q: Will the 120W Kensington harm my Macbook even though it only requires 60W?
A: NO! Without going to technical, it'll provide only the power the Macbook needs. It will not harm it in any way.
Q: ...as I was reading the apple threads, I read that the Kensington 150 isn't powerful enough to power a MACBOOK PRO. I have a MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz. How is yours more powerful? I even tried a Vector 400 SST inverter during a recent power outage and it wouldn't work.
A: Please see above questions regarding inverters. The keyword here is efficiently. We are not "more powerful" we are more efficient with our power.
Q: Why is your solution so much more expensive?
A: We respect Apple's patent on the magsafe connector. We also have applied for patents ourselves and it would be very unfair for someone to copy our invention. You can probably find other vendors out there that has tried to copy (their copy still has limitations) Apples patent without licensing. The solutions we offer does not infringe on Apple's patent because we are not copying the invention, just upgrading an existing product.
Q: I have an external battery that I used for the Powerbooks, can you convert it for me?
A: Yes! Please contact us first. We have customers using external batteries such as the Lind, Valance N-charge, and Powerpad.
Q: Will your solution work with Solar panels?
A: It's an hard question to answer. But the short answer is that the panels you specify MAY trickle charge, but it MAY not be satisfactory to you. We suggest you get either larger panels (as close as you can to 60watts) or more of it and wire them in parallel. Then we'll have more confidence in the results you want. We generally would NOT recommend the Kensington adapters with solar panels because the Kensington's have low power shut off which could impact those who simply want trickle charge. Our Mikegyver adapter’s and the iGo's do not have such sensitive power shut off.
Q: Why does the Kensington shut off when using car battery after a short period?
A: The Kensington adapter will shut off if the (car) battery is below 12v, the light on the unit itself will stay on while the magsafe will shut off. It’ll reset by unplugging it then re-plugging it back in.
Q: Can you tell me which one I should order and what the difference is between both. The 70 watt or the 120/130 watt.
A: From the Macbook Pro standpoint, it does not really matter as the extra wattage from the 120w Kensington is not fully used. So essentially they are the same. It does make a difference if you plan on using the 120w adapter with other things, such as both cell phone, etc at the same time as using your MBP or if you plan on fully taxing your CPU 100% all the time.
Q: Does it come with Empower plug?
A: Yes, our models has built in empower plug
Q: Will this work with my Macbook Pro?
A: Though we find this question interesting as we mention Macbook Pro in numerous places, YES!! ALL of our adapters will work with ALL MODELS of Macbooks!
Q: If the MacBook Pro requires 85w of power and the airplane has 75w of power, will this conversion kit (w/the addition of an Empower adapter like the one mentioned in the Q&A) work?
A: YES! If it didn't we wouldn't be doing this. AND YES it will charge the battery while you are using it!
Q: What exactly does it come with?
A: For those purchasing the Mikegyver Kit, how's how it works:
1) You order conversion process.
2) We send you ONE 85w or 60w Apple power adapter and ONE Car adapter with a converted plug so that you can use the apple magsafe connector with both your 85W or 60W Apple power adapter and Car adapter.
3) (Optional) You send back your old unmodified 85w or 60W Apple power adapter with magsafe connector (As New working condition) and we refund $90.00 retainer.
Q: Will the Macbook Pro Adapter work with the Macbook?
A: YES. The Macbook Pro adapter will output the correct voltage to the Macbook and will not overpower it.
See this article(scroll to bottom):
http://www.macworld.com/2006/05/firstlooks/macbookfaq/index.php
Q: Can you convert my existing airplane/auto charger for my PowerBook G4 to a MacBook Pro charger
A: Unfortunately we can't. The PBG4 uses 24vdc, and the MBP uses 16.5v.
The PB is actually higher voltage, but lower Amperage, while the MBP uses less voltage but higher Amps.
Q: How much is too much scratches if I want to return my Apple adapter?
A: We really don't care, as long as the cable and the magsafe is in good, clean condition (re-sellable) if not we'll deduct some $$$ from the $90.00 retainer.
Please note. When purchasing exchange, you are asked to indicate the condition of YOUR adapter. We try to send back an adapter that is the same condition. So if you state yours is NEW, and you send us a used/worn out adapter, we will NOT refund full amount. However, if you indicate USED and we send used, then full amount will be given.
Below is an example of what we define used, so please don't expect us to refund 90.00 for this if you don’t indicate correct condition of your adapter:
Cable is dirty & Magsafe tip is all scratched up.
Q:I was wondering the power adapters you sell, can they be used with a macbook on a long haul international business class flight with airlines using emPower?
A: We don't see a problem with that. As with any adapters, we do suggest that you make sure it is properly vented.
Q: I'm leaving on and International flight very soon. Can you RUSH this to me?
A: Depending on when you need it by, you can put a RUSH order upon checkout. Please contact us to make sure it's available.
Q: Pardon me if I'm confused. I want to use my MacBook Pro both in the car AND on the airplane. I have an extra power cube to furnish to you. What do I need to order?
A: You should order "User supplied". You will get a car adapter that will work in the car AND airplanes.
Q: This looks like a Hack?
A: Depends on how you look at it. If you want the job done, this will do the job. Let's not forget, you have no other viable options for charging in Airlines and useable in cars. No one is legally allowed to make the magsafe connector. We also assume all Warranties and provide our own. Also, the first Apple computer was made from wood. Wouldn't you consider that a Hack?
Q: I seem to have an 85Wmagsafe power adapter with a straight plug on it (not magsafe) as well as the DC power unit, do I need the apple one ?? If so what for ??
A: If you wish to use the apple brick adapter, you’d simply unplug the magsafe cable from the dc adapter and plug it into the apple adapter.
Post purchased Questions:
Q: Why does the Magsafe Light stay on after unplugging it?
A: This is normal behavior for some after market adapters, it will go off in a few seconds on it's own. It does not affect operation in any way.
Q: Why is the connector to the tip so loose?
A: It is probably not fully plugged in, please make sure it is fully plugged in!
Techie questions:
Q: What do you mean 97% of customers for the Macbook Pro? Will this work for the 70w adapters?
A: The macbook pro apple adapter (85w) actually put's out 16.5v just like the macbook adapter (60w) for normal usage. But if you are a heavy graphics user, then it'll automatically up the voltage to 18.5 volts(85w). During our tests, we've found that not a whole lot of people tax their macbooks Pro to the max, so the 70w is actually enough for a lot of people. If you are within the 3%, your laptop will simply slow down or stop charging your battery. It will resume charging when you reduce CPU tasks. We also choose this voltage because of Airline wattage limitations.
Q: Your site seems out of date, you say N2(B) tip, but it should be N3(B).
A: Please read above question. N2(B) outputs 16.5v. N3(B) 18.5v. We recommend N2(B) because of above answer to question, and to stay within limits of the power supplied on Airlines. N3(B) is recommended for those who are heavy CPU users, and not on airlines.
iGo users:
Q: The light on the iGo goes out right after plugging in the magsafe. why?
A: iGo have a different way of powering up. You must plugs everything in first, then AC cable last.
Still don't see your question answered? email us!