Apple to Provide Refunds for Notebook Power Adapters?
In another class action suit settlement, Apple has reportedly agreed to give refunds of $25-$79 to as many as 2.3 million PowerBook and iBook owners who purchased faulty power adapters that were prone to spark.
The settlement has not yet been finalized with an approval hearing scheduled for September 8th.
One customer had posted a Youtube video demonstrating a sparking power supply, though it was from a MacBook, so it does not appear that it would necessarily qualify for this settlement. Full details on the settlement won't be available until it is finalized.
Customers who bought certain replacement adapters for PowerBook and iBook computers are eligible for the settlement, according to documents filed in federal court in San Jose. U.S. District Court Judge James Ware granted preliminary approval of the agreement March 24.
The settlement has not yet been finalized with an approval hearing scheduled for September 8th.
One customer had posted a Youtube video demonstrating a sparking power supply, though it was from a MacBook, so it does not appear that it would necessarily qualify for this settlement. Full details on the settlement won't be available until it is finalized.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
49 months ago
Hopefully this won't affect early MacBook/MBP customers from getting free exchanges on their fried magsafes.
49 months ago
What about magsafe?
Apparently they're not as faulty as the older ones :p
49 months ago
I had this happen. I fried the first brick because I was playing a game and then I fried the replacement I bought from Apple. Since then I refuse to buy an Apple adapter...
49 months ago
I gotta say good for the consumer on this and boo for Apple.
I'm all for producing products that look good, but I've always thought the power adapters were "to good looking" in regards to quality.
If you bend metal even a normal "Dell" power cord enough times, and even crimp it in tight bends for extended periods of time eventually wires will touch and it'll spark and melt.
But the Apple cords are TOO THIN thus making them MORE prone to this.
If you crimp or have the magsafe corde (within 1" of the actual plug) bent to sharp repeatidly or for extended periods of time, your 70% more likely to get the wires to work themselves closer to touching. I've done electronics work in the military and have had more than a basic understanding prior to my actual training so this is common sense to me. They'll eventually touch, faster than other manufacterer's plugs.
If Apple will beef up the cord a bit it would probably be less likely to occur.
The MagSafe concept is really nice, but the cord needs more 'beef' to it which will help eliminate this from happening.
I haven't manhandled iBook or Powerbook cables but from what a long time Mac User in my office has said regarding this, is that they are just as flimsy.
I do know that my wife's MB cord I'm always commenting to her not to allow it to stay in a bent position to long or to often or else it'll spark.
I'm all for producing products that look good, but I've always thought the power adapters were "to good looking" in regards to quality.
If you bend metal even a normal "Dell" power cord enough times, and even crimp it in tight bends for extended periods of time eventually wires will touch and it'll spark and melt.
But the Apple cords are TOO THIN thus making them MORE prone to this.
If you crimp or have the magsafe corde (within 1" of the actual plug) bent to sharp repeatidly or for extended periods of time, your 70% more likely to get the wires to work themselves closer to touching. I've done electronics work in the military and have had more than a basic understanding prior to my actual training so this is common sense to me. They'll eventually touch, faster than other manufacterer's plugs.
If Apple will beef up the cord a bit it would probably be less likely to occur.
The MagSafe concept is really nice, but the cord needs more 'beef' to it which will help eliminate this from happening.
I haven't manhandled iBook or Powerbook cables but from what a long time Mac User in my office has said regarding this, is that they are just as flimsy.
I do know that my wife's MB cord I'm always commenting to her not to allow it to stay in a bent position to long or to often or else it'll spark.
49 months ago
How does one go about redeeming this?
Wait until it's finalized and details are posted. (after Sept 8th)
arn
49 months ago
This is definitely an issue with Magsafe connectors as well. For all the things that the "loyal" Apple fans get pissed about, I'm surprised this hasn't been a bigger issue.
My magsafe also melted, and Apple will happily exchange a new one for free.
Want to see a ton of examples?
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=macbook+melt
My magsafe also melted, and Apple will happily exchange a new one for free.
Want to see a ton of examples?
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=macbook+melt
[ Read All Comments ]
Analytics firm Chitika today released a report showing that by its metrics iOS has now surpassed OS X in overall web traffic share in the United States. Chitika's methodology involves an analysis...
One of the most frequent reasons for an iPhone to go on a trip to the Apple Store's Genius Bar is because of water damage. Typically, a water damaged iPhone can be replaced for a flat $199...
TheVerge's Joshua Topolsky summarizes the iPad 3 casing findings reported earlier today, but also adds his own sources regarding some details of the iPad 3.
Image from RepairLabs
As...
Last July, Apple discontinued the white MacBook from its consumer lineup, pushing consumers toward the company's popular MacBook Air line or the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The company didn't kill...
Popular iPhone Twitter client Tweetbot has finally arrived on the iPad, with a user interface instantly familiar to any current Tweetbot user. Designed for the Twitter power-user, Tweetbot packs a...
