Apple Mac Powerbook AC adaptor fire

Last night, my AC adaptor for my Apple Mac 15" Powerbook G4 set on fire in front of my eyes. Full on flames, sparks & smoke.

The machine was bought Jan 2004 for around £1500 ($2,733.17 at today's exchange rate) which is not cheap.

I bought a new power adaptor from Macally as there is noway I want to use the offical one ever again. It appears to be better designed.

Then, I called Apple today (who forwarded me to their canned response Tech Support Indian call centre) where I was told "Its not under warranty so there is nothing we can do". So I told the Tech support 'associate' to just put me through to his boss.. he tried deflect several times until finally, he spoke to his boss (team leader) who decided in his infinite wisdom that they could make an exception and give me a new power supply (Note: I told them I already bought one and their official one could have destroyed everything in my life in a matter of seconds - so I dont want a new fire hazard). He then told me it wont happen again, which it DOES according to other stories.

I told him he was wasting my time and he said "what do you expect from us?". At that point I hung up.

I then called back and asked to be put through to someone who could actually think for themselves - at which point I was transferred to the Cork office, where a more sympathetic lady said she could offer me a replacement power adaptor!
I told her that an apology at some point would have been a good start.

I did a little research and found a few interesting things:

From what I have read, this happens to people regularly.
http://www.google.com/search?hs=n0n...ficial&q=powerbook+adaptor+fires+&btnG=Search

Apple will not replace your adaptor if it is nearly about to burn up, only if it actually does.

http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/care/

Ill be ignoring these pearls of wisdom from now on.

So, if you own any mac products that have a Power Supply/PSU/ AC adaptor, I suggest you check how warm its getting right away and NEVER leave it plugged in or on unless you are watching it.

"What do I expect ?" I was asked.

What would YOU expect ?

*for those PC users that want to make a point back at me for all my mac praise... nows your chance

 

Glad to hear you were there to see it happen, indeed otherwise it could have been a nightmare.

Financial compensation comes to mind... Always ask for $$$s. All companies can and will give it as long as you're persistent.

I've sold PC's for a year and a half and they do weird stuff too. We once had a customer nearly decapitated due to the cd-rom drive firing cd's at will through the room.

Well, I still haven't put my ass into gear to actually buy one (I know I've been wanting to do that for months) but I still do. Just might have to build some fire protection around the adaptor.

Thanks for the heads-up!