Can I Use A Non-apple Power Cord With Apple Ac Adapter (mac Mini A1347)

I am not well-versed in Apple at all except I know they love their proprietary hardware. I got a Mac Mini from like 2013 recently, model A1347 with an ac adapter (a1105) which uses a c5/c6 power cable that did not come with it. I have tried to use several generic black cables but the unit will not power on. Does Apple require you to use their cable? I know with my daughter's macbook, it wouldn't work with a generic USB-C charger, we had to get an Apple one to get it to charge.

If not, anyone know the best way to test this unit? I really hate Apple.

 

There will not be anything proprietary for the AC power "input" cable. That is, the cable from the wall to the power block will be standard. It would be extremely foolish, hazardous, and most likely illegal in most (if not all) jurisdictions to use a proprietary configuration in an industry standard AC power connector.

And for sure that cable is an industry standard cable. The wall end will use a connector compatible with your mains outlet. The IEC C5 connector, also called the "Mickey Mouse Connector" for obvious reasons, has a three-pronged female connector (c5) and a matching male connector (c6) with a central pin.

The "output" side (from the power adapter to the Apple device) is an entirely different story and no surprise Apple would go proprietary there.

So, if you have tried a different AC power input cable and the unit still does not work, then something else is wrong. The power supply itself may be bad, the cable from the power supply to the Apple device is bad, or the Apple device itself has failed.

I would have the power supply tested before investing any money elsewhere. The output voltage(s) and pinouts should be embossed on the power adapter itself. While properly and conclusively testing a power supply must be done with the supply put under a variety of realistic loads, a simple voltmeter will tell you if any voltages are missing.