Why Mum’s Mac Was Charging Slower Than a Snail (And the $12 Fix That Solved It)
It started with little things.
Mum would open her older MacBook to check her emails and groan:
“Ugh, this thing’s always flat.”
Then she started using her phone more and the Mac less. “It’s just so slow now,” she’d say. Or, “I don’t know why it never stays charged anymore.”
She’d plug it in overnight and still wake up to that dreaded red battery icon blinking at her. It became such a hassle that she eventually left it shut in the linen cupboard — not dead, but not alive enough to bother with.
And slowly, the MacBook that once held everything — her emails, recipes, old photos, Christmas card lists — became a dust collector on the top shelf.
The Breaking Point
Months passed. I’d occasionally suggest bringing it back to life.
She’d wave me off:
“It’s just old. I’ll probably need a new one.”
She even started researching new MacBooks — a $1,799 purchase — just to read the news and print the odd document.
Finally, one Saturday when I dropped in, she brought it out and asked, “Can you just check if there’s anything you can do?”
The laptop was dead flat. We plugged it in — nothing. No charging light. No power.
But as soon as I picked up the cable, I knew.
The Real Culprit
Her charger — the original one from over a decade ago — was in rough shape. The cable was yellowed, the rubber torn near the base, and the magnetic tip that connects to the Mac? It was loose, wobbly, and getting dangerously hot.
She’d been limping along with it for years, not realising that the charger itself had been failing slowly, like a leaky hose that trickles out water and makes you think your plants are the problem.
The $12 Fix
I ran out to my car, grabbed one of the spare MagSafe-compatible chargers I keep for visits like this — and boom.
The little light on the connector turned orange. The MacBook let out a quiet ding.
And Mum gasped: “It’s alive??”
Within a minute, the Mac powered up. 14% battery and climbing. It had been “dead” for 3 months… all because the charger had quietly given out.
🔧 Tori’s Tech Tip: Charging Problems Are Often Cable Problems
If your Mac (or any laptop) seems like it’s not charging properly:
Check the charging cable and brick.
Is it over 5 years old? Replace it.
Is it getting hot, loose, or frayed? Definitely replace it.
Look for the power light.
Apple’s MagSafe (on older Macs) has an indicator: orange for charging, green for full. If that light flickers or doesn’t appear, the cable’s likely at fault.
Use a genuine or certified replacement.
Cheap knock-offs often under-deliver power or stop working within months.
Look for a MagSafe-compatible charger for older Macs or USB-C 60W+ for newer ones.
💡 Bonus tip: Label your cables — especially if you’re sharing a home. The wrong charger used on the wrong device can lead to slower charging or even damage.
Why It Matters
We’re often so quick to blame the device.
But in so many homes I visit, the real issue is the charger — a $12 part that nobody replaces until it’s too late.
In Mum’s case, that tiny swap saved her $1,700. No new MacBook. No data migration. No setup stress. Just her familiar laptop, back from the dead and doing exactly what she needs.
Need a Second Opinion?
If your laptop, iPad or even printer is acting up — don’t assume it’s time to toss it.
Sometimes all it takes is a new charger, a cleaned-out port, or a 10-minute check-up from someone who knows what to look for.
Book a visit with Tori’s Tech Support — I’m local, friendly, and speak in plain English (not tech jargon).
📱 0467609081