2013 MacBookAir - MagSafe2 alternatives?

[Dude.JediKnight]

Just picked up a 2013 MacBookAir over the weekend. It seems to have had its battery replaced recently, thus why the bottom case screws are missing. Besides that and the lack of a charger, the machine is in excellent shape for its age. Unfortunately, I don’t have a MagSafe 2 power adapter currently.

Probably just gonna get the MagSafe1 to MagSafe2 adapter for now, so I can use the brick from my 2006 MacBook to verify that the Air is in working order. Apple has that adapter listed online for like $10, so not a big money investment. After that, if the Air is in working order, I was thinking of just getting a genuine Apple MagSafe2 from OWC for just shy of $40.

However, in my searching, I did see that USB-C to MagSafe 2 adapters exist, as well as USB-C to MagSafe2 charging cables. Nothing made by Apple obviously, but still interesting. I’d hate to buy one of these weird adapters or cables and then they don’t work as well as Apple’s charger would, or they somehow damage my machine. Anybody have any experience with such things? Are they any good, or should I just stick with Apple’s MagSafe 2 charger?

 

[NJRoadfan]

I can confirm the SlimQ USB-C PD to MagSafe2 works fine on a Mid-2012 Macbook Air. Just make sure your USB-C PD power supply has the required output (I'm using a 100w multiport one, likely overkill).

 

[Dude.JediKnight]

I can confirm the SlimQ USB-C PD to MagSafe2 works fine on a Mid-2012 Macbook Air. Just make sure your USB-C PD power supply has the required output (I'm using a 100w multiport one, likely overkill).

I don’t think I have any Type C power bricks beyond the kind used to charge a single phone, but my guess is they won’t be powerful enough to charge a laptop. Ideally, I’d need to buy both a beefier charging brick as well as the cable, and at that point I doubt it would turn out much cheaper than just going for the MagSafe2 charger directly.

I have a 45W type-C Chromebook laptop charger on hand, and I was hoping that could work with one of those type-C female to MagSafe2 dongles I’ve seen online. Just not sure they are safe, as they all seem like unknown off brands that I’m not sure I can really trust.

Either way, I’m really feeling like the Apple genuine MagSafe 2 charger is the wise choice. Was just curious if there’s a prevailing opinion on these things.

 

[NJRoadfan]

I have long since determined that buying Apple chargers is a waste of money. They all fail at the plug end. I have other USB-C PD devices, so moving the Macbook Air to USB-C was a no brainer. Buying a USB-C PD charger won't go to waste. You'll find other things to charge with it.

 

[Dude.JediKnight]

I have long since determined that buying Apple chargers is a waste of money. They all fail at the plug end.

Never really had such problems with Apple laptop charger bricks that I had bought new, though I’ve seen other people’s chargers get like that. Always tried not to wind my cords up too tightly and put a lot of pressure on either end. Maybe I was just… gentler with mine somehow?

Really the only chargers that I’ve had those sorts of issues with were old Yo-Yos from the PB1400 & Clamshell iBook days, but that was after several years of use, mostly by the previous owner.

For the most part (at least in my experience), if you don’t wind them too tight or put a ton of pressure on the ends, they should last a pretty long time.

 

[max1zzz]

My only concern with those USB-C to magsafe adapters is what voltage are they requesting form the PD charger? Apple use either 14.5, 16.5 or 18.5V depending on the wattage of the brick, USB PD supports 15v which would be in the acceptable range but I suspect most adapters will ask the PD charger for 20V to allow them to work on MacBooks that require higher power adapters. It's probably close enough that it's not going to damage anything but it's still outside the normal range MacBooks expect

 

[NJRoadfan]

The SlimQ cable I have despite being labeled "For MacBook Air Only" reports as a 85W charger. I don't have a USB-C PD sniffer, but I'd hazard a guess it is supplying 20V to the Macbook Air. Not the end of the world as the (now dead) 3rd party charger that came with it was rated for 85W too.

 

[Dude.JediKnight]

Status update: Finally ordered the MagSafe1 to 2 adapter and used it to power up the machine. It booted and ran fine, at least at first.

I followed the instructions on the attached card for the seemingly replaced internal battery: to charge it until full and leave it charge for an additional 2 hours, then to discharge it completely until the computer shuts down due to low power, then to charge normally.

Second charge only went to around 70 percent, at which point it stopped charging entirely and will no longer recognize my charging brick. The Apple diagnostics seem to indicate issues with the power adapter, though the power brick still works fine with the 2006 white MacBook I borrowed it from. Tried running the machine down again just in case, and now it still refuses to charge and no longer boots due to low power.

I have no idea when the former owner replaced the battery, or how long it sat before they decided to sell the machine… but I’m leaning towards one of two conclusions… that there’s something wrong with the battery itself, or maybe some kind of damage was done inside during the replacement.

I’m tempted to see if unhooking the battery entirely would at least allow the machine to recognize the power brick again and allow it to at least work while plugged into the wall.

Am I right to suspect the battery, or is it something else I’m missing here? Is there a chance that the MagSafe adapter I bought is somehow faulty? I was about to buy a proper MagSafe2 charger, but now I’m wondering if it’s still worth it. Any suggestions how to proceed?

 

[Performa450]

Status update: Finally ordered the MagSafe1 to 2 adapter and used it to power up the machine. It booted and ran fine, at least at first.

I followed the instructions on the attached card for the seemingly replaced internal battery: to charge it until full and leave it charge for an additional 2 hours, then to discharge it completely until the computer shuts down due to low power, then to charge normally.

Second charge only went to around 70 percent, at which point it stopped charging entirely and will no longer recognize my charging brick. The Apple diagnostics seem to indicate issues with the power adapter, though the power brick still works fine with the 2006 white MacBook I borrowed it from. Tried running the machine down again just in case, and now it still refuses to charge and no longer boots due to low power.

I have no idea when the former owner replaced the battery, or how long it sat before they decided to sell the machine… but I’m leaning towards one of two conclusions… that there’s something wrong with the battery itself, or maybe some kind of damage was done inside during the replacement.

I’m tempted to see if unhooking the battery entirely would at least allow the machine to recognize the power brick again and allow it to at least work while plugged into the wall.

Am I right to suspect the battery, or is it something else I’m missing here? Is there a chance that the MagSafe adapter I bought is somehow faulty? I was about to buy a proper MagSafe2 charger, but now I’m wondering if it’s still worth it. Any suggestions how to proceed?

Have you cleaned the contacts on the MacBook, adapter and MagSafe 2 cable? I frequently get MagSafe 2 machines only charging with the cable one way round and it’s usually a clean needed. Also try resetting the SMC and PRAM if you can get that far.