Hi Chris, Brent's correct that the older MacBook models from 2007-2008 require a firmware update in order to charge from the recent model power bricks (with the L-shaped connectors). The affected models are: • MacBook (13-inch Late 2007) • MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2008) • MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2008) • MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008) • MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)
Here's the link to the Apple Knowledge base article that appeared in October 2010: • Portables: L-shaped MagSafe power adapter does not charge computer and LED indicator light does not illuminate: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3499 There should be a link in that document to the appropriate firmware download. I'd just apply the firmware download, and then you can use any laptop power brick that delivers sufficient power. E-bay is probably a good source, as you say. Cheers, Esther On Apr 9, 2012, at 10:46 AM, Chris Blouch wrote: > I'm always interchanging power bricks and they all worked just fine. If you > use a small low-wattage one it will run most laptops but you won't be able to > charge your battery at the same time. Last time I needed to buy one was when > my wife found one of the kids sucking on the plug. He was unharmed but the > power supply never worked right after that. At the time I found a pretty good > price at > > http://www.megamacs.com/ > > but they seem to be having some database issue at the moment. > > CB > > On 4/7/12 4:47 PM, Lewis Alexander wrote: >> from the early intel macbooks, they were the same as the recent ones, with >> exception of wattage ratings. >> >> where abouts are you? I can look up a specialist refurbs place in the USA >> who carries older components. >> >> what I could do with is the machine serial number and then go from there. >> >> the system serial can be found through going to about this mac in the apple >> manu and then going to more info, this opens system profiler and you can get >> the system serial number and model from there. >> >> cheers. >> >> lew >> >> On 7 Apr 2012, at 21:44, Brent Harding wrote: >> >>> Yeah, I just knew that there were L shaped and T shaped ones, and if you >>> don't have the correct one, depending on the firmware in the machine, if >>> you originally had the older one, that's all you could charge with, and I >>> heard Apple doesn't make the old one now. Maybe I can get by with that >>> plug, but there's probably plenty of them on Ebay. >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lewis >>> Alexander"<[email protected]> >>> To:<[email protected]> >>> Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2012 3:25 PM >>> Subject: Re: Any cheaper way to get a new charger that works with my >>> somewhat older Macbook? >>> >>> >>> hi, the apple charger is pretty much a standard unit and there are no >>> compatible products due to patent applications from apple preventing clones. >>> >>> an option or two open to you is ebay for a refurb or used pack or even an >>> apple refurb company depending on where you are in the world. >>> >>> lew >>> >>> On 7 Apr 2012, at 21:21, Brent Harding wrote: >>> >>>> Hi there. I have this Mac Book that I bought for a good deal some time in >>>> 2008 or 2009, that was upgraded and was only 6 months used at that time, >>>> if the guy ever did much with it besides keeping it around to sell. When I >>>> took it home to my parents' place once, I never noticed that the charger >>>> got in front of the car door, and some bracket snapped off. My dad was >>>> able to super glue it back together and it works here, but I might be >>>> getting a work experience where I might need to move it around from one >>>> outlet to another since it only goes about 90 minutes in Windows, and >>>> maybe a little more in Snow Leopard. From what I've read, a new one of >>>> these costs around $80 and may not work, depending if my machine >>>> successfully took a certain firmware update. Is there cheaper places to >>>> get one like the original one that I have so I don't find myself in a >>>> situation that a different kind doesn't charge the battery? >>>> >>>> Thanks. >>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.
