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Apple Inc. agreed to pay refunds of $25 to $79 to as many as 2.3 million Macintosh computer owners 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 suit, filed in 2006, alleged that Apple misrepresented problems with the power adapters. In 2001, Apple recalled about 570,000 adapters sold with PowerBooks after reports of overheating. Apple advised customers to stop using the adapters and offered free replacements.
The 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.
A hearing on final approval of the
settlement was scheduled for Sept. 8.
