Apple settles class-action suit over faulty notebook adapters

Apple has agreed, without admitting fault, to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that power adapters sold with certain Power PC-based iBook and PowerBook notebooks were defective in that they could dangerously fray, sparks and prematurely fail to work.

The settlement offers to provide a cash payment to customers who purchased certain model Apple PowerBook or iBook computers, had their power adapter fail within the first three years following the initial retail purchase, and then purchased a replacement adapter.

A website dedicated to the settlement offers a list of serial number codes [PDF] of affected models and helpful resources to aid potential class members in locating the serial number on their Mac notebooks.

Customers that meet the criteria of a class member and who wish to file a claim must print, complete, sign and mail the Claim Form to the Claims Administrator postmarked by February 11, 2009 for Replacement Adapters purchased on or before October 14, 2008.

For filing a claim for a Replacement Adapter purchased after October 14, class members must print, complete, sign and mail the Claim Form to the Claims Administrator postmarked within 120 days of the adapter failure OR by May 31, 2009, whichever date is earlier.

A frayed PowerBook G4 Power Adapter | Source: EdTechBlog.

Deadlines for excluding oneself from the settlement, objecting to the settlement, and so forth, are available in this table. A list of frequently asked questions regarding the case is also available.

15 Comments

bigmc6000 766 comments · 16 Years

About 16 years ago

Eh well, I had this happen to me twice but I've moved on to a Kensington adapater that works in my vehicle, on a plane and has an iPod adapter to work with my iPhone and iPod. Much, much better than the iBrick. It's also one of the reasons I'm hesitant about getting a new laptop since, apparently, the magsafe stuff is under patent.

EDIT: Just re-read it. Cash payment? Sweet! I'm all over that!

studiomusic 654 comments · 17 Years

So what do I do now that I don't have the receipts for the three adapters I bought (I still have the broken adapters though!) and no longer have the computers that I bought them for?
Yep, screwed.

rastapunx 1 comment · 16 Years

That's ok.
now, dear apple, can you do something for all the macbook pro with faulted nvidia 8600m gt chips all around the world? Please do ora say something about? We are all waiting...

themightyviking 4 comments · 16 Years

I received an email about this subject from the lawyers that filed the CAL. While everyone that was inconvenienced by this issue gets their money back, the lawyers rake in a cool $850,000.00. I'm sure that their efforts were worth every penny.

TMV

dawuss 1 comment · 16 Years

I live in The Netherlands and the sparking thing happened to me a year or two back. Luckily I was at home at the time, so I was able to rapidly unplug the power adapter. I called Apple and they reacted pretty dismissive to my story.

Anyway, I was wondering: does this class action suit have any impact on me? Can I participate in the settlement? Or is this US-only?