kevinkroon:
I'm sorry to be asking so many questions, but when I search for a schottky diode I get over 300 different items. I figured I needed to search for a 500mA but then I get names with 50v or 30v in them. Also, will the voltage loss interfere with my projects?
Those values are probably the reverse breakdown voltage, or in other words how much voltage in the wrong direction the diode can block before it fails.
kevinkroon:
As for the macbook, it short circuited or something the moment it was plugged in, it was the first class in arduino
Yes, but was anything plugged into the Arduino's barrel jack?
dhenry:
If Apple follows the usb standard, there must be a 500ma fuse in there that even if the arduino is shorted, it should not have burned the usb port; Even if the usb port is burned, the computer should still function.
They might not, at least in their smaller Macbooks like the Air, space must be at a premium there.
Besides if you are a good Mac user and only use your Mac with Apple or other pre-approved products, why would you ever need such protection in the first place?