I’m still making good use out of my trusty, late 2013 MacBook Pro, but what I’m not making good use out of is the original power adapter and cord. It frayed (as with so many Apple cords over the years, sigh) and I immediately replaced it. Only — surprise! — the Amazon seller I bought it from wasn’t honest about compatibility, forcing me to buy a Magsafe to Magsafe 2 converter tip. Gah.
Related: Everything you need to know about the new MacBook Pro
The Apple power adapter styles change so often, here’s the best thing to do to find the right power adapter for your current Mac notebook before you buy one:
1. Click the apple icon in your finder menu, very top left of your screen.
2. Click “About This Mac” and in the “Overview” tab check out the exact name and year of your model.
ALL this info matters. Because each notebook requires a different power adapter, depending on the model (MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air), size of your laptop, and then the time of year (mid, early, late) it was released.
Related: How to keep your MacBook cable organized
3. Visit the official Apple Support page for finding the right power adapter and cord for your Mac notebook.
Now, you can certainly do some price comparisons online — for the right power adapter. Just be sure it’s a reputable dealer who’s selling one that’s authentic and not a resale.
