Apple Inc. agreed to pay refunds of $25 to $79 to as many as 2.3 million Mac computer customers to resolve claims that some of its power adapters were prone to spark.
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 class action lawsuit, filed in 2006, alleged Apple misrepresented problems with the power adapters. In 2001, Apple recalled about 570,000 power adapters sold worldwide with Macintosh PowerBook G3 personal PCs after reports of overheating. Apple advised customers to stop using the adapters and offered free replacements.
The power adapter "dangerously frays, sparks and prematurely fails to work," the plaintiffs said in court filings.
Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., will give cash payments to customers who bought an adapter made by Apple or another company to replace a failed one, according to court documents.
Customers who bought a replacement adapter within a year after purchasing their PC and were denied warranty coverage by Apple are eligible to receive as much as $79. Those who replaced adapters within two years can get $40 and consumers who bought new adapters within three years can receive $20, the filing says.
As many as 2.3 million customers bought the devices, according to the court documents.
A hearing on final approval of the settlement was scheduled for Sept. 8.
