So the day after I found out the problem with Ben’s keyboard and found a used Powerbook 12″ keyboard on macrecycling.com, Ben brought up his power adapter and showed me a bit of a disaster. It was unusable, and it could no longer power his computer.
You may notice that it had finally died when it sparked a lot and then had a little fire. Boo boo! That is an oops on Apple’s engineering department.
So, I found a different style of power adapter on www.macwizards.com. It looks like a much better design, and it was half the price. So it is on it’s way. As a result, I spent over $100 on Ben’s computer this weekend. But it is worth it because he uses his computer as much as I use mine.
Well, the next day I received an email about a class action lawsuit about this very problem. You see, Apple would not replace these $80 adaptors after fraying and burning. Depending on how long you have had the adapter. The following is the email I received:
LEGAL NOTICE
If you purchased a replacement power adapter for certain Apple PowerBook or iBook computers, you could be entitled to benefits from a class action settlement.
A settlement of a class action lawsuit affects you if you purchased an Apple PowerBook or iBook computer listed on Exhibit 1 hereto (“Subject Computer”) and subsequently purchased a Replacement Adapter for the Subject Computer due to failure of the Adapter included with or sold for the Subject Computer. The settlement will provide a cash payment to United States residents who purchased a Subject Computer and paid for a Replacement Adapter covered by the settlement within the first three years following the initial retail purchase of the Subject Computer. If you qualify, you may send in a Claim Form to ask for payment, or you can exclude yourself from the settlement, or object. The United States District Court for the Northern District of California authorized this Notice. The Court will have a hearing to consider whether to approve the settlement, so that the benefits may be paid.
Who’s Affected?
Purchasers of an Apple PowerBook or iBook computer listed on Exhibit 1 hereto. You’re a “Class Member” if you are a United States resident who purchased in the United States an Apple PowerBook or iBook computer listed on Exhibit 1 for your own use and not for resale.
What’s this About?
The lawsuit claimed that the Adapter included with or sold for the Subject Computers is defective in that it allegedly “dangerously frays, sparks and prematurely fails to work.” Apple denies all allegations and has asserted many defenses. Apple is entering into this settlement to avoid burdensome and costly litigation. The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing.
What can you Get from the Settlement?
Apple has agreed to provide a cash payment to Class Members who purchased a Replacement Adapter due to the failure of the Adapter included with or sold for a Subject Computer covered by the settlement and who send in a valid Claim Form. For failures within the first year following the initial retail purchase of the Subject Computer, the settlement requires that you attempted to have the failed Adapter replaced or repaired under warranty by Apple and such request was denied by Apple for a reason other than user abuse.
The settlement provides for different cash payments depending on when the Adapter included with or sold for your Subject Computer failed.
The settlement only applies to a Replacement Adapter purchased during the first three years following the initial retail purchase of the Subject Computer, and before May 31, 2009. Cash payment amounts are as follows:
YEAR OF FAILURE OF ADAPTER CASH PAYMENT AMOUNT
YEAR 1 THE ACTUAL AMOUNT PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT ADAPTER (EXCLUDING TAX & SHIPPING) UP TO $79
YEAR 2 $40
YEAR 3 $25
There is a limit of one cash payment per Subject Computer.
How do you Get a Payment?
A detailed Notice and Claim Form package contains everything you need. Just call 1-888-539-5706 or go to www.rosenthalco.com/gordonvapple to get one.
Important Deadlines
If you purchased a Replacement Adapter as described herein on or before June 10, 2008, you must mail the Claim Form postmarked on or before October 8, 2008. If you purchased a Replacement Adapter as described herein after June 10, 2008, you must mail the Claim Form postmarked on or before the earlier of 120 days after the date the Adapter failure occurred, or by May 31, 2009.
What are your Options?
If you don’t want a payment and you don’t want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must postmark your request to exclude yourself by July 25, 2008, or you won’t be able to sue, or continue to sue, Apple about the legal claims in this case. If you exclude yourself, you can’t get a payment from this settlement. If you stay in the Class, you may object to the settlement. Objections must be received by July 25, 2008. The detailed Notice describes how to exclude yourself or object. The Court will hold a hearing in this case (Gordon v. Apple Computer, Inc., Case No. 5:06-cv-05358-JW) on September 8, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. to consider whether to approve (1) the settlement and (2) attorneys’ fees and expenses of $849,500 and a service award to Plaintiff of $500. You may appear at the hearing, but you don’t have to. To obtain a full Notice and Claim Form, go to www.rosenthalco.com/gordonvapple or call toll free 1-888-539-5706. For more details, go to www.rosenthalco.com/gordonvapple or write to Helen Zeldes, Esq., Law Offices of Helen Zeldes, 249 S. Highway 101, #370, Solana Beach, CA 92075.
Exhibit 1
Configuration Codes of iBook and PowerBook Computers Covered by Settlement
iBook and PowerBook computers with serial numbers that include the following configuration codes are covered by the Settlement. To determine the configuration code, please look at the serial number for your computer. The configuration code is the last three characters of the serial number.
iBook Computers:
MRR NRM PBM QF9
N1N NRN PBN QHU
N4P NVH PER QHV
N4R P7Y PES QJP
N4S PB8 PET QQC
N4T PB9 PGH RCQ
NDP PBA PGN RCR
NDQ PBB PGY RCS
NDR PBC PH0 RCT
NDV PBD PH1 RCU
NDW PBE PH2 RCV
NDX PBF PMM RER
NRL PBG QE4
PowerBook Computers:
MRT NGQ P23 RG4
MVZ NL5 PGK RG5
MYN NL6 PGL RG6
N1Q NL7 PGM RJ3
N4L NMH PHK RJ6
N4M NMJ PHL RJ7
NEM NMK PLW RJF
NEN NRY PLX SB7
NGK NRZ QHX SWZ
NGL NS0 QJD SX0
NGM NS1 QRV T1V
NGN P0B QRW U34
NGP P22 RG3
This email was sent by: Rosenthal & Company LLC, 300 Bel Marin Keys, Suite 200, Novato CA 94949
If you qualify for a bit of refund, by all means go to www.rosenthalco.com/gordonvapple to get your refund.