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.
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.