The original Apple MagSafe & MagSafe2 chargers have a lot more protection logic in them than the cloned units. And yes it can be tough to tell the real from the fake! Here’s a bit more details on the differences:
* [http://www.righto.com/2016/09/why-you-shouldnt-use-cheap-macbook.html|Lacking safety features, cheap MacBook chargers create big sparks]
* [http://www.righto.com/2016/03/counterfeit-macbook-charger-teardown.html|Counterfeit Macbook charger teardown: convincing outside but dangerous inside]
* [https://9to5mac.com/2016/12/02/fake-apple-chargers-dangerous-99/|Safety tests of 400 fake Apple chargers bought online reveal that 99% are dangerous]
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And its not just the MagSafe chargers!
* [https://www.computerworld.com/article/3146362/friends-don-t-let-friends-buy-fake-apple-chargers.html|UPDATED: Friends don’t let friends buy fake Apple chargers]
* [https://library.ul.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/09/10314-CounterfeitiPhone-WP-HighRes_FINAL.pdf|Counterfeit iPhone adapters - UL Technical Investagation Shows A 99 % Failure Rate]
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I’ve seen too many fakes and the damaged caused by them. I only replace with units I have directly bought from Apple.
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I’ve seen too many fakes and the damaged caused by them. One of the staff of one of my clients lost his charger in the field. He went down to a local computer store to get one as he need to finish his assignment. Plugged in his MacBook Pro for the night in a hotel room. Not only did the room burn 1/2 of the hotel did! And our staff person almost didn’t get out alive! The legal mess was still going on six years later when I finally left them.
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One of the staff of one of my clients lost his charger in the field. He went down to a local computer store to get one as he need to finish his assignment. Plugged in his MacBook Pro for the night in a hotel room. Not only did the room burn 1/2 of the hotel did! And our staff person almost didn’t get out alive! The legal mess was still going on six years later when I finally left them.
Only use real Apple chargers or ones that Apple has signed off on. Even with the new USB-C power standard, I don’t trust off brand chargers as there is no way to legally get them if there is a problem.
'''No! They are not the same!'''
The original Apple MagSafe & MagSafe2 chargers have a lot more protection logic in them than the cloned units. And yes it can be tough to tell the real from the fake! Here’s a bit more details on the differences:
* [http://www.righto.com/2016/09/why-you-shouldnt-use-cheap-macbook.html|Lacking safety features, cheap MacBook chargers create big sparks]
* [http://www.righto.com/2016/03/counterfeit-macbook-charger-teardown.html|Counterfeit Macbook charger teardown: convincing outside but dangerous inside]
* [https://9to5mac.com/2016/12/02/fake-apple-chargers-dangerous-99/|Safety tests of 400 fake Apple chargers bought online reveal that 99% are dangerous]
And its not just the MagSafe chargers!
* [https://www.computerworld.com/article/3146362/friends-don-t-let-friends-buy-fake-apple-chargers.html|UPDATED: Friends don’t let friends buy fake Apple chargers]
* [https://library.ul.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/09/10314-CounterfeitiPhone-WP-HighRes_FINAL.pdf|Counterfeit iPhone adapters - UL Technical Investagation Shows A 99 % Failure Rate]
I’ve seen too many fakes and the damaged caused by them. One of the staff of one of my clients lost his charger in the field. He went down to a local computer store to get one as he need to finish his assignment. Plugged in his MacBook Pro for the night in a hotel room. Not only did the room burn 1/2 of the hotel did! And our staff person almost didn’t get out alive! The legal mess was still going on six years later when I finally left them.
Only use real Apple chargers or ones that Apple has signed off on. Even with the new USB-C power standard, I don’t trust off brand chargers as there is no way to legally get them if there is a problem.