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Is this 60W MacBook Pro charger fake?

My original 85W charger for MBP is having a cable break, and doesn't work well anymore. I had it repaired, but it broke within two weeks again. I wanted to get a second hand charger, which I bought. It seemed original, until I did some research.


Now I'm doubting. Is this an original charger? My old charger has a serial number which isn't a sticker. The one I bought has one. I have to say though, the second hand charger is from 2009. Did they still use a sticker back then? My original charger is from 2014.


Now it's mainly about the charger. The cable with the plug probably isn't original either, but I have an original one from my original charger, that works fine. I'm mainly concerned about the charger since it might hurt my MBP?

 

Is there a certain way to tell if it is real or not?  Like in ‘about this mac’ for example?

 

Anybody know if it is a fake or not or how to be sure? 


Thanks. Below some pics.




[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 23, 2024 8:54 PM

Reply
6 replies

Nov 24, 2024 8:25 AM in response to mroksores213

You can try using About This Mac > System Information > Hardware > Power Adapter(?). It could tell you if the device is from Apple ... but even that is not 100% guaranteed.


If you want an original Apple power adapter, you need to purchase it directly from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller.


The other important issue is the adapter's wattage. If the original was 85W, then you shouldn't be using one rated at a lower wattage.

Nov 24, 2024 8:46 AM in response to mroksores213

If the counterfeit is any good, photographs and causal inspection won’t show it as counterfeit.


Not without either an X-Ray or other scans to compare it with a known-legitimate device, or an obviously-destructive physical tear-down.


The whole point of counterfeits is to not be obvious about being fake.


Somewhat murky photos of well-worn devices, looking for subtly-incorrect details compounds this effort.


Buy from an authorized reseller, or buy directly from Apple.


Otherwise you may well have a counterfeit. Or not.


Nobody here can tell.


And as it often arises in these threads, serial numbers are easier to copy than are devices, which means serial numbers are not useful for detecting counterfeits. Serial number checks tell you there is (or was) one legitimate device with that number, and there can be zero or more counterfeits sharing the number.


And as mentioned, a 60 watt charger won’t replace an 85 watt charger. Not for any Mac requiring between 61 and 85 watts to properly charge.

Nov 24, 2024 9:03 AM in response to mroksores213

mroksores213 wrote:

What does it tell when the device is from apple?

Sorry, I don't have my Mac available to me at this moment. I found it under the Hardware category, and I believe the field was named: manufacturer.


My original adapter was 60W. I bought the 85W charger later when the 60W died. Now I bought a 60W again.

Ok, you may have included that information as it wasn't provided and has caused some confusion. We can only go on what you provide in your post.


I'm just curious if there are original chargers that had a sticker for their serial number.

AFAIK, no. I just took a look at some of my old adapters and none of them have their serial numbers on stick-on labels. What I'm seeing in these photos would indicate to me that this is either a fake or has be "repaired." Personally I wouldn't use it.

Is this 60W MacBook Pro charger fake?

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