Macally PS-AC4 AC Power Adapter for Apple G4
by Mace Group Inc / Macally Peripherals
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List Price: Our Price: $17.25 You Save: $42.74 (71%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Macally PS-AC4 AC Power Adapter for Apple G4
Customer Review: Powerbook Titanium G4 (3rd power adapter)
Summary: 4 Stars
After damaging my 2nd Apple power adapter beyond repair (stepped on #1, dropped laptop directly on to #2), decided to save a bundle with the Macally. The product shipped on time (2 days) and in original Macally packaging. Product is solidly constructed, quality design and parts. Bright blue power lamp can be annoying because in order to rest the unit to allow maximum air cooling the lamp faces the user. So far have also noted heating of unit but not enough to refrain from use. (Would not recommend placing unit directly on carpeted floor in confined space unattended.)
I use my G4 Titanium Powerbook as a desktop replacement with ViewSonice 22" monitor and therefore power adapter is always plugged in. Rests on wooden desktop with no discernible heat damage to desk. It appears to be a more professionally designed product than the OEM Apple adapter, especially the connector that plugs into the laptop itself. Would have liked a protective cover for that plug; however, the presence of one did not stop me from destroying the previous two connectors beyond use. Also there is no lamp at the plug (as in the OEM) to indicate that a solid connection has been made; therefore, you must open a powered-up laptop to ensure that it is charging properly.
Customer Review: Not as good as Apple, but for the price, worth it!
Summary: 4 Stars
I like having multiple power adapters for my laptop--ideally, one at home, one at work, and one in my travel bag. Apple's original power adapters have a tendency to fray and of course that happened to one of my adapters. Not wanting to risk a fire or shell out the $79 to get an Apple-branded one, I found this MacAlly adapter for a fraction of the cost.
Pros: Cost, length is definitely acceptable.
Cons: No LED charging light at the plug (not really a big deal since you can see charging status in the menu bar), annoying bright blue LED power lamp on the brick. The biggest problem I've encountered has been that this adapter cannot seem to both charge and power my 12" PowerBook when the screen brightness is all the way up. It alternates between charging and not about every five seconds. I returned my first power adapter to Amazon thinking it was defective, but the second one also does the same thing.
Now, my 12" PB shipped with a 45W power adapter. The MacAlly one shows up as a 50W adapter under the system profiler. So, there shouldn't be a problem.
But, for the fraction of the cost, I keep the brightness turned a bit lower when I'm using that adapter and everything seems to work out alright.
Customer Review: Cheap, sturdy alternative to the original.
Summary: 4 Stars
This adapter is better than I expected. My original Apple adapter's cable got cut near the joint after a year's use, so I was looking for a cheaper alternative. I was worried whether it would work for my 12" G4 Aluminium Powerbook. Its power ratings are not exactly the same as the original 45W Apple adapter. It is rated at 24V, but at 2A instead of 1.875A. So its actually 48W (24*2) rather than a 45W (24*1.875) adapter. It actually charges my 12" Pbook slightly faster. I guess the 15" Pbooks are actually 65W, so I'm not sure how fast it charges those. Anyway, this adapter is light and the power cords are thicker than Apple's. It costs less than half the original.
The white brick is very light and there is a locking mechanism on the cable from the brick to the laptop. I wish the cable on the other end was more flexible. I didnt notice any sparks when I plugged it in, whereas my original Apple adapter always sparked and sputtered. There is no light indicating charge status, but that doesn't bother me much. Although it says G4 Titanium powerbook, it seems to also work with the Aluminium powerbooks. I wish Apple made design changes to its flawed adapter. They are only enabling third parties like Macally survive :).
Customer Review: Beware of design change
Summary: 1 Stars
This is my second PS-AC4. The first was exactly as pictured here and on the MacAlly website. It worked great and I would highly recommend it (I purchased it about 3 yrs. ago). However, the most recent one (ordered from Amazon) has been redesigned. There is no blue light, it's slightly smaller in size and DOESN'T work with the G4 iBook.
I only use this power supply when I am on the road, so I only used it a couple times in the two weeks I've had it. Recently I was doing a Keynote presentation and noticed the iBook switching from battery to power supply every second and repeating, endlessly. I reset the Power Management Unit (PMU) on the iBook, but that didn't solve the problem. When I contacted MacAlly, they informed me that this model does not work with the G4 iBook. I was told "You need to return it back to your vendor for refund or different brand."
Both MacAlly and Amazon do not reflect this new information on their website. MacAlly's site even says it's recommended for iBook users.
I am still in the process of getting this issue resolved. My advice after messing around with 3rd party power supplies...buy a genuine Apple as a replacement. It's worth the money in the long run.
Customer Review: Excellent Alternative PowerBook Power
Summary: 5 Stars
Accidents will happen. $500 dollars later, with my 12" powerbook 1 GhZ (purchased October 2003)repaired and with the internal pin shorn from inside the power connector, I started to explore alternative adapters, given that the Apple unit is around $80.
I bought this unit--which I needed quickly-- with one day shipping and my total was still signifigantly less than purchasing another adapter from Apple, some $51.
Sure, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the Apple unit and it is a slight bit slower to charge the laptop, but the price makes it well worth it.
If you are concerned about the plug fitting your computer, I've tested this unit out in my 12" PowerBook, a 14" Ibook, and even an older 15" TI Book--it fit them all and charged them, though I don't know how quickly it charged the 15" TiBook.
The plug is also more reliable and sturdy. The cord is longer and less obtrusive than the mac power adapter--if I'd had this unit before, I don't think I would have even had the aforementioned accident! The Macally unit bundles nicely and fits most laptop bags well.
Overall, I'm very pleased.