Power Adapter for 2007 MacBook

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
I need a power adapter for a 2007 MacBook (White).

Can I just grab any available power adapter from the Apple Store (or through Craigslist) (other than the newer "MagSafe 2", obviously)?

Do I need more than 45W, or is 65W or 85W too much (damaging)?

Thanks.

MotionMan
 
Feb 25, 2011
16,992
1,621
126
45w/65w/85w refers to the capacity of the power supply - the laptop will only draw what it needs. You just want to make sure you get one that meets or exceeds what you already have. (I've pretty sure most base macbooks were just 45w units.)

I've used generic $25 adapters from FleaBay with my old macbook, they were fine. But yeah, any Magsafe should work.
 

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
45w/65w/85w refers to the capacity of the power supply - the laptop will only draw what it needs. You just want to make sure you get one that meets or exceeds what you already have. (I've pretty sure most base macbooks were just 45w units.)

I've used generic $25 adapters from FleaBay with my old macbook, they were fine. But yeah, any Magsafe should work.

Thanks.

MotionMan
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,139
1,791
126
Unless you're broke, don't buy the eBay ones. Their build quality often sucks.

BTW, I prefer the adapters with the right angle connector.

TS3499---002-mul.jpg.png
 

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
Unless you're broke, don't buy the eBay ones. Their build quality often sucks.

BTW, I prefer the adapters with the right angle connector.

TS3499---002-mul.jpg.png

Yeah, I was planning on buying a used Apple adapter on Craigslist.

MotionMan
 

TheStu

Moderator<br>Mobile Devices & Gadgets
Moderator
Sep 15, 2004
12,089
45
91
45w/65w/85w refers to the capacity of the power supply - the laptop will only draw what it needs. You just want to make sure you get one that meets or exceeds what you already have. (I've pretty sure most base macbooks were just 45w units.)

I've used generic $25 adapters from FleaBay with my old macbook, they were fine. But yeah, any Magsafe should work.

The white and aluminum "MacBook"s were 65W systems. Airs are 45W.
 

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
13,272
4,049
136
45w/65w/85w refers to the capacity of the power supply - the laptop will only draw what it needs. You just want to make sure you get one that meets or exceeds what you already have. (I've pretty sure most base macbooks were just 45w units.)

I've used generic $25 adapters from FleaBay with my old macbook, they were fine. But yeah, any Magsafe should work.
I thought 45W was introduced for the MacBook Air, while regular MacBooks all use 65W?

The Apple adapters have great internals but the connectors are not exactly built to last. For a 2007-era machine with a "legacy" MagSafe connector, I'd roll with a generic. But I'm cheap like that. :D
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,139
1,791
126
I thought 45W was introduced for the MacBook Air, while regular MacBooks all use 65W?

The Apple adapters have great internals but the connectors are not exactly built to last. For a 2007-era machine with a "legacy" MagSafe connector, I'd roll with a generic. But I'm cheap like that. :D
Good point. I just looked up the pricing and it's $80 even for the lower Wattage models. Ouch. I thought they'd be $50. In that case, I'd be tempted to cheap out too for a 2007 MacBook.

BTW, I've had a couple of the T-shaped connector adapters and one L-shaped connector adapter. I get the impression the latter holds up a bit better.