General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTuesday Toon Roundup 3: The Rest
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Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)And at Apple, it's 80 bucks. But there are a lot of what seem to be the same thing on amazon, ebay, newegg, and all the other aggregating portals in the 20-30 range... Now normally, I'd think ok, cheap Chinese made rip-offs, but then Apple stuff is made in China too. So do I spend $80 for the 'official' one, or are the $20 ones probably just as good? After all, it's just a power adapter/charger thing, not anything seriously high tech.
n2doc
(47,953 posts)However, buying on ebay seems to be much cheaper for a used or refurbished one in great condition. That's generally what I do.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)Yes, the Apple one is made in China, but Apple decides what goes in it, and will take samples apart to make sure the factory is actually putting the right parts in.
The cheap knock-offs use whatever random chips and circuits will kinda produce the right output. For at least a brief time. Reliability is not exactly a priority. And if the circuitry fries in such a way as to overload the airbook, they don't care.
IMO, the "official" one is worth it. Because the really cheap ones are such garbage, and there's no way to tell the difference between really cheap and cheap.
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)Because I just went ahead and bought it from Apple, paying the extra. Amusingly enough, it triggered a fraud alert email from my credit card company because i was having it shipped directly to the friend halfway across the country, and not to my billing address. Had to call in to verify that it was really me making the charge. They also asked if my Bernie birthday bash donation was really me too, heh.
Trailrider1951
(3,414 posts)Several years ago I received an Ipod touchscreen device for Christmas. I needed a car charger for it, and bought a cheap one, which worked really well for about a year. Then one morning it fried my Ipod. So, how much money did I save with the cheap charger?
Tom_Foolery
(4,691 posts)malthaussen
(17,216 posts)I've never quite understood the cachet of making a status symbol out of something originally intended for working people.
-- Mal
vkkv
(3,384 posts)tough sounding guy telling you what it is to be a man. It's mostly marketing. The luxury, safety features and tech is simply a modern-day requirement in every new vehicle.
We have a very asexual VW Vanagon camper and a flashy little '85 Toyota MR2 that gets 32 mph every tank because we don't live on the crowded coast any longer. That car also makes me feel like I'm doing what I can to ease emissions, but it's also fun and very sporty. On the other hand, we also have a big, factory raised 1977 Ford F250 classic that is our emergency evacuation vehicle in case of fire or for travel in the case of deep snow. We also use the big truck to move firewood, dirt, gravel and whatever else over our acreage. MPGs are horrible, but man, in all honesty, I feel A LOT SAFER in that truck on the roadways.
Warpy
(111,339 posts)which is a really poor state. Once you get out of the cities, most pickups are beat up 70s vintage, the only additions maybe a tool box or racks above the bed to contain the hay.
I hate those damned things in parking lots. I've had to crawl into my car through the hatchback more than once because duallie monstrosities were blocking the doors on both sides.
Eight bucks a gallon for gas? Looks good to me if we can get the behemoths off the road.