Wed, 06 May 2009 Apple sued over MagSafe 'fire hazard' claims

Bewildered said on Wed, 06 May 2009

Man we really are living in the world of the stupid!
Yes if your adaptor is defective take it back get a replacement,
but if your cable becomes 'frayed' through use/miss use and you continue using it and then something happens to you, then you're just stupid.

Greg said on Wed, 06 May 2009

They can go from looking ok to smouldering in seconds. Mine did just that, the wires break inside and burn through the casing in seconds. A genius in a store did however replace it out of warrantee, but i do not like to think what might have happenned if it was unattended.

Mathue said on Wed, 06 May 2009

So this is a speculative 'Fire Hazard'? If its defective, have Apple replace it. I don't quite understand why these people would want to enter into this when a solution has already been offered.

Disappointed said on Wed, 06 May 2009

My MacBook adaptor also was defective... went from fine to smouldering and then sparked at the juncture of the cable and power pack. Took it to the Apple store who refused to replace it. They denied that it was a fault.
Foolishly I recently recycled it, or I would be taking it back for a refund/replacement.

Janitor said on Wed, 06 May 2009

Apple - denying a fault! you sure?

Rob said on Wed, 06 May 2009

The other issue with the adapter is the collapsable prongs on the clip-on plug. The contacts have worn, and now when plugging in the adapter to a wall outlet, it often makes a loud crackling / sparking noise.

Paul said on Wed, 06 May 2009

@Rob
Then maybe you would be better off trying to get something done about fixing/replacing it then, rather than rushing to your keyboard exclaiming "Me too! Me too!" If it's so worn out due to use and you choose - of your own free will - to continue using it in such condition, then you can only expect something to go wrong eventually?

Such faults happen on other electrical goods - shock, horror...it isn't just Apple. When Sony's battery's explode everyone goes out and gets a replacement...the moment it's an 'Apple' issue people send in the lawyers. Pathetic.

Gabriel said on Wed, 06 May 2009

Everyone knows Apple's flush with cash. Makes them a target for this kind of thing, regardless of whether the fault is valid or not.

@Paul said on Thu, 07 May 2009

I would agree - but, this has been well documented for some period of time. Just denying there is a problem has ended in a backlash from those wishing to pursue the problem.

If Apple loose they will look very, very silly.

xip said on Thu, 07 May 2009

Almost guaranteed that anyone with bare wires on their adapter have "misused" it by kinking/straining the cable either when plugged in or stored in their bag. Apple warns people from doing this on their support site: support.apple.com/kb/HT1630

The replacement offer still stands, so as said before this is a non-issue and can happen to ANY corded electrical appliance, it is not Apple's legal duty to make their products invincible.

As for sparking when plugging in: I don't believe it is wear on the contacts, this happens to many electrical plugs. After all you are sticking two pieces of metal into an electrical socket! Again Apple covers this on their support site (under "If you See a Spark"): support.apple.com/kb/TS1713

Eddie said on Thu, 07 May 2009

" "It almost burned my hand when I brushed it accidentally," Broad said."

Wow!

xip said on Thu, 07 May 2009

" "It almost burned my hand when I brushed it accidentally," Broad said."

Wow"

Maybe he can Almost get money for that!

MacAlba said on Thu, 07 May 2009

Well my Macbooks late 2006 model and my adapters in perfect condition. If the power adapter looks defective then don't use it common fn sense. what a world we live in !!!!

Dean Sykes said on Thu, 07 May 2009

I cannot believe the Mac fanboi tendency here! I have always loved and used Macs, but Apple are not beyond criticism. Safe electrical connection is a basic requirement in any mains powered electrical equipment, let alone expensive products from a corporation that prides itself on good design. Apple should not even contest this case; they should settle out of court and be grateful that no-one's been killed or seriously hurt.

Greg said on Thu, 07 May 2009

My powercord was not frayed or worn externally, however it obviously had internally and thats were the short occured; there was no warning to its condition and it was only 9 months old with home use only. It was not worn or abused.
The fault is pretty well documented and the design does not seem to have changed for years.
The cable burned through from the inside out.

Alfred Allen <alfallen@ntlworld.com> said on Sun, 10 May 2009

First, I am an engineer.(Transmission Systems), with about 50 years experience,
I use a 17" Mackbook Pro. I have always been sceptical of the power adapter system which I see as sales gimicry and a weak spot in Mac technoligy. A breakdown here can leave the user without data availability at a critical time.
Obviously a power supply system of a common standard type would be more readily available as they are with ordinary PCs., as well as being cheaper to purchase. In the event of tripping over the power line, the standard cylindrical type of plugin connecter will pull out easily. In general there is a fragility about this system which worries me, although I still consider Mac systems to be superior to all the others, and my experience dates back to long before Macs existed.