They sure don't make things "built to last" anymore do they!

[ditchdj]

Well I just got a laptop last May. Yesterday I plugged it into the power cord to recharge the battery. Checked it later to find that the thin metal, rod-shaped prong inside the head of the power cord had bent to the side. I tried to straighten it out with the end of a knife and it simply broke off. :eek: Now it powers my laptop but won't recharge the battery. Ordering a new one off Dell's website costs about a hundred bucks. Getting a generic one online costs 20-30 dollars.

I've also heard that laptops are notorious for their power jacks breaking off the motherboard often too. :confused:

[Evil Queen]

I haven't heard that little gem, but it is common for the AC Adaptor to conk out on you. (sibling went through one, recently got a replacement and the SO went through two, about to get a third).

[Rine]

yeah, I have had my laptop for three years and I've gone through three adaptors and I'm about to order my fourth. Thankfully, the first two adaptors were covered by warranty/service agreement.

They cost like 65 bucks a piece! Ugh!

[SengaKitty]

And that, m'dear, is why I use a MacBook. The charge cord is a magnetic breakaway (I know what your thinking but it's great :) ) I deffinately recommend looking into one!

[tollbaby]

Geez, I've got an HP Pavilion, and I've never had a problem with my power adaptor or jack...

[FuzzyKitten99]

I have bought 3 laptops from Dell since 2003, (we get new ones every 18-24 months & sell our old ones to family members, usually college-bound ones) and I have NEVER had any issue with the adaptors. Hell, the very first laptop I bought from Dell, my mom now has. I bought it in 2003, and she bought it from me last Fall. It still runs like new and the only thing she's had to replace is the battery because it wouldn't hold a charge anymore.

[RetailWorkhorse]

My power adapter cost me $230. And what happens not but 6 months later?

I kill my motherboard by accidently dumping tea on it.

Dammit.

[Crazeyal]

If it's the adaptor and that only, you might be able to buy the part itself. Most computer resellers don't sell subparts to consumers. It's not uncommon for most repair shops to have refurbished power supplies or a pile of dead ones. You can probably get a perfectly good adaptor for $5. All you really need is a pair of dykes, a soldering gun and some tape. Any repair shop should be able to refit it easily.

[Tanasi]

This is gonna sound weird but if you know someone that works in hotels especially housekeeping show them what your PS looks like and have them see if they have one in lost and found. That's what I do and I've never had to buy a replacement for a laptop or a phone. :)

[Evil Queen]

Tanasi, it's better to go to the front desk for that. Housekeepers generally turn cords like that in to the front desk when they're found.