Filed under: Accessories, Macbook Pro, MacBook, MacBook Air
Lawsuit claims MagSafe power cord not so safe
It was just a few days ago we were talking about hacked MagSafe connectors, and now a lawsuit seeking class action status claims the innovative connectors are a fire hazard and a risk to life, limb, and property.As an example, here's a link to some Flickr images of what is claimed is a melted MagSafe connector.
The complaint, filed last week in San Jose, California says that eventually the cord will fray from heat or wear, with a resulting danger of fire and injury. The suit, filed by plaintiffs Tim Broad, Naotaka Kitagawa and Jesse Reisman says Apple is aware of the problem and has done nothing about it.
The suit also claims when people demonstrate the problem to Apple, the company suggests they buy another $80.00US cable. Actually, we reported in August that Apple was replacing damaged or worn cables if they were not subject to abuse.
Apple has not commented on the lawsuit. It will be interesting to watch this one wind through the courts.
The power connector was introduced at Macworld in January, 2006. It has not always received positive reviews, even at the Apple Store.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Thanh Nguyen said 4:06PM on 5-06-2009
I haven't really had mine heat up- The power brick maybe, but the MagSafe tip has just been fine for over a year.
I don't think I've been too nice to it either- My backpack is rather abrasive (rather glad that I picked up a hard plastic shell for my MBP. I did get a little of the cable showing near the power brick, but a little tape solved that.
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Artr said 8:46PM on 5-06-2009
Apple replaces these for free, there's no case for a lawsuit.
Izzy said 8:26AM on 5-07-2009
In our opinion there is no case for a lawsuit. But the plaintiffs and their attorney's get a chunk of change while the rest of us will get an offer for a new cord. It's the American way, guns and lawsuits. Yeehaw!
And yes, I am a gun owner too. But I'm not a gun nut.
Joseph said 1:08PM on 5-08-2009
I think there is a case. If Ford made a bunch of cars that had bad tires and then they popped and started killing people and rolling over like bowling balls. Even if they offered free replacement tires, the people who were damaged, even ex post facto of the free tire offer, would have a case.
kim.hannemann said 4:11PM on 5-06-2009
I've had mine for 2 1/2 years, it's plugged in with the laptop on 99% of the time, and the brick, cable and MagSafe tip never even get warm. One of the greatest inventions since sliced bread.
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Drew said 4:21PM on 5-06-2009
In those Flickr pictures, see how beat up the plug is and the slice in the cord insulation? I imagine most cables subjected to that level of abuse would eventually crack and fray.
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Juaquin said 4:24PM on 5-06-2009
I work at a computer store and I've seen dozens of MagSafe connectors come back just like this. That's not saying they're inherently flawed - who knows what the actual percentage of defective units is or how much they were abused by the owner - but it certainly wouldn't hurt to use some better insulation and a thicker wall.
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gormster said 9:01PM on 5-10-2009
I've had four MagSafe cables melt on me. One quite seriously burned my finger when I removed it - not enough to sue over, just needed some burn cream and five or six hours in cold water - but still hurt like buggery. Touching melting plastic, as it turns out, is not such a great idea.
My current one has lasted for about a year and a half, though, so I think they've fixed whatever the problem was. This is probably an old cable.
Apple seem to be running under the misconception that humans have become invulnerable to heat damage. My MBP's fans will only step up in speed at an astonishing 75º C - and even then only up to 2000rpm. SMCFanControl has kept my computer running safe and cool at a constant 6000rpm for quite some time now (unless it's a cold winter day, in which case I dial it back to use my laptop as a combination computer/radiator).
prufrock said 4:25PM on 5-06-2009
All other power cords do the same thing. This is not some sort of custom cable that Apple uses -- and I have seen the same thing happen (or worse) to a number of other power bricks on non-Apple machines.
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Jason R said 4:34PM on 5-06-2009
I had bad luck with the powercord from my old PowerBook G4. The magsafe connectors really doesn't solve the problem, which seems to stem from how people wrap the cord for storage. If you wind it too tightly, it seems to eventually fatigue and break.
I got some advise from an Apple genius on a better technique for wrapping my brick and it seems to have worked (pictured here).
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Dom said 6:22PM on 5-06-2009
My Powerbook power cord set fire to my bed - and I was told exactly the same thing by an Apple employee.
I don't know why Apple just can't get power connectors right, but when they go wrong, it seems to me that there is a consistent policy of telling people they'll just have to buy a new adaptor - even if the faulty one has burned the house down.
Personally, I find that attitude despicable.
Jason R said 4:36PM on 5-06-2009
The link did not stick, so maybe try this http://www.cephalopodcast.com/blog/2006/12/14/better-technique-for-wrapping-your-macbook-pro-power-adapter-cord/
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Nick said 4:42PM on 5-06-2009
My connector caught fire a couple years ago, when I was living overseas. I took it into the local Apple dealer and showed it to them. I must have been the first to have this happen, given the puzzled look on their faces. They did replace the power supply without issue, and I've been working fire-free for over two years now.
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Jake said 4:41PM on 5-06-2009
I've had my MacBook 2 1/2 years, and the original power brick is in (almost) pristine condition. That said, I have a second power brick that is 1/2 a year old that is beat up beyond belief.
Like Kim said, the MagSafe is the best thing since Sliced Bread- I think there's just a lot of users that are abusing them.
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ben said 4:44PM on 5-06-2009
i had a cable with the strain relief go and it start getting warm. I called apple care and told them what was up and they overnighted me a new cable (even though i said i had another one i could use and they didnt need to rush it). they insisted on sending it immeadiately and made it very clear that I should not use the old cable anymore.
it wasnt a big deal. it was 2 years old, was constantly bent at odd angles with high stress and getting kcked out, i was surpised they sent me a new one.
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VedicHymn said 4:52PM on 5-06-2009
The connector on my wife's Macbook Pro magsafe adapter caught fire last year, but luckily there wasn't any damage, outside of the adapter & the Macbook Pro.
She's not particularly hard on the laptop, just seems like a potentially risky design.
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FoO said 4:54PM on 5-06-2009
The magsafe connector is the least of the quality issues for the MB/MBP power cables.
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Lummox said 4:57PM on 5-06-2009
My original MagSafe connector for a gen.1 MBP frayed right under the collar within a year of use (the metal sheathing looked like it was coming out). Apple gladly exchanged it right away for free, no questions asked. What I noticed with my replacement power adapter is that the rubber collar was a good 2mm longer than my original one's was. Clearly it was a needed design improvement. I try to keep the MagSafe end from getting too twisted up now as I can see the inner cord getting a bit twisted and I'd like to keep it from fraying again, but look at the Flickr page it's pretty apparent that whomever took that picture didn't really try to take even decent car of their adapter. That plug itself is pretty chewed up.
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Ken Wiesner said 9:06PM on 5-06-2009
This was exactly the experience I had as well. First gen Black MB. I had my MB in my lap at the time while laying on the bed and noticed that the green light was off on the MagSafe connector. I went to unplug it and felt a shock! I immediately called Apple and their #1 concern was if I was okay and asked me all sorts of questions about my safety when they heard that I had received a slight shock. They deeply apologized and sent a new power adapter overnight free of charge even though my warranty had expired and I had not purchased Apple Care. I too noticed the sleeve around the cable is longer on the new cord.
Crabs said 4:58PM on 5-06-2009
Yeah ok. Except if you notice it fraying, walk in to your local Apple Store, and give them that cord and they'll give you a new one, no questions asked.
I'm sorry, but if you're too much of a dumbass to notice that your cord is fraying badly enough that it can cause a fire, then you deserve to have your house burn down.
PS, I'm not positive, but I'm fairly certain they'll send you a new one if you don't have a local Apple Store.
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