Better Late than Never: Danes Find iBook Design Flaw


Computerworld reports that Danish consumer authorities have ordered Apple to refund customers' money, after it was found bad design causes power failures in some iBook G4 units.

Although Apple is not compelled to comply with the ruling, the consumer body will assist complainants to sue Apple - and they have a 100% success rate in the courts.

The complaints - around 15 of them - were sufficient for the authority to launch an investigation. Weak soldered connectors on a voltage regulator were deemed responsible for the power supply issue.

The iBooks concerned were manufactured between April and October 2004. Apple has not commented on the finding.

Analysis: This could conceivably open the way for class actions from US consumer. Those covered under 3-year AppleCare would have probably been fixed by now, but they are close to being out of even that extended warranty. Most purchasers, who took the standard 12-month warranty, might be out of luck.

Has anyone had power supply problems with their 2004-vintage iBook G4? I had a 2004 model in 2005 for one year, but noted no problems. But it appears these units' solder joints wore after two or so years' usage.