How to spot fake magsafe power adapters?

[desura]

Mine broke on me and I have to get a new one.

Seems like there're a lot of knockoffs. How do you spot them?

 

[desura]

Well, a bit of time on google led me to this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37426140@N06/3443492909/in/set-72157616702694723/lightbox/

pretty good walkthrough.

 

[ViRGE]

Really the single best way to buy a real one is to buy it from a trusted retailer. Buy it from Apple, Best Buy, or any other Apple Authorized Reseller. If you go with an internet retailer be very careful, as Amazon for example doesn't stop their associates from selling fakes as legitimate adapters.

If nothing else, stick to the maxim that if it's too good to be true, it probably is. If it's not within a few bucks of MSRP, it's almost certainly not legitimate.

 

[TheStu]

How old is it, what kind is it? Is it the old all white T shape plug? If so, take it to an Apple Store, they may replace it for free (if it broke because of fraying at least).