Product Description

Now you'll never lose your work or interrupt a DVD movie because your battery runs out at 35, 000 feet. The MagSafe Airline Power Adapter will keep your MacBook or MacBook Pro juiced throughout your flight. Sleek and light, it works with in-seat DC power ports available on many commercial airliners - both EmPower ports and 20mm ports with the included adapter.Because it's a MagSafe Adapter, you'll continue to enjoy MagSafe convenience just as you're already enjoying at home or work. The magnetic DC plug both ensures a tight connection and enables a clean break from the power port if there is undue tension - preventing your MacBook from being pulled off of your tray table if someone accidentally yanks the cord.

Product Details

• Brand: Apple
• Model: MA598Z/A
• Released on: 2006-10-24
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.08" h x 12.78" w x 8.92" l, 5.20 pounds

Features

• Box Content - MagSafe Airline Power Adapter with EmPower connector, 20mm adapter, User Guide
• Check with your airline regarding availability of in-seat power ports
• Using the MagSafe Airline Adapter provides power for your computer but does not charge the battery.
• The MagSafe Airline Adapter is not compatible with automobile power ports.

Customer Reviews

Does what it says it does
This is a simple product with a simple mission...to allow you to use your Apple laptop on a plane without worrying about draining your batteries during long trips. My only qualm is the cord could be a tad longer if the power port isn't right in front of you. (American Airlines customer service verified that SeatGuru.com was correct in where they identified the power ports as being, but it turned out both were off by one row in the back of the plane due a row of seats being added further front, (according to the flight attendant who said she's seen that happen numerous times). I was able to plug into the port in the row ahead of me both going to and returning from the Orient and the cord reached, but with nary a centimeter to spare.) The plug seems durable enough, despite other comments I've read. I personally can't imagine how some can get parts left in the power port, but that is something of which one should be aware as others have reported it. I found the cost well worth the price of not being bored out of my skull for two 14-hour trips, and it was worth it not to have to watch the same in-flight movie multiple times.

Works some of the time but not well enough
As others have noted, it is very easy to pull out the cord and leave the tip in the power outlet. I almost did so but noticed the tip still plugged in when I reached for an underseat bag.

Did not work at all on a new MacBook with the power settings set to normal wall plug use. The battery died 2.5 hours into a 5 hour flight. The computer gave no warning that the battery was about to fail. The on-screen power indicator was set for "remaining time." The display said "not charging" and did not display remaining time while the green light was on the MagSafe plug.

After recharging the battery during a layover, I changed the power display to percentage of battery life rather than time. With the computer plugged into this unit, the percentage fell steadily. I changed the power setting to "Better Energy Savings" and the battery power percentage stayed steady.

This use was on an AA 757 and MD-80.

Note that you cannot use this product to power any peripherals through a USB port. The price is unreasonably high for this little piece that could not have cost more than a few dollars to make. I'm looking for an alternative.

PS: after I posted this I searched for other Macbook airplane power adapters. IGo makes a tip for their products but their web site says Apple does not license the MagSafe system. They can't sell them. So there are NO alternatives. Apple owes its customers who fly a much better product.

Does what it says
I've used the adapter on two transatlantic flights and it works just like it's supposed to. I've been very pleased.