So as I sit here in my Minneapolis motel room, I am happy to say I am using my Laptop without the 60W Magsafe Power Adapter that came with it. In fact, I left at my home in Fargo.

I did this on purpose.

Someone posed this question to me a few weeks ago. They own a MacBook. They wanted needed a second charger for it, but don’t want to be hosed when they upgrade to a MacBook Pro in a month or two.

Why is this important? The MacBook (which I own) comes with a 60W power adapter and the MacBook Pro takes a 85W. The question is: Will a MacBook charge with a 85W power adapter without frying it?

According to the MacRumors Forums, they claim you can do it:

From what I understand the MacBook can use either one to charge, but it is not recommended to use the 60W with the MacBook Pro because it’s not powerful enough.
- virtuatony

Time to play MythBusters. Went to my local BestBuy before leaving on Monday and bought an 85W MagSafe Power Adapter. On the box, it says that it will work with the MacBook and the MacBook Pro.

Now for the real test. I have drained the battery three times so far on this trip and have used the 85W power adapter each time to recharge. The result? Three things:

1.) Yes, it works and (so far) no battery or electrical damage.
2.) The MacBook runs cooler when charging
3.) The MacBook charges faster.

So it looks like we’re good. Just one last question, the warranty. As far as I can tell, this DOES NOT void your Warranty. According to the User Guide for the Late-2006 MacBook (the one I own):

Use only the power adapter that came with your MacBook, or an Apple-authorized power adapter that is compatible with this product.

The 85W IS Apple Authorized, so I think we got it covered.

MYTH CONFIRMED: You can use an 85W Apple Charger with your MacBook (intended for 60W).