July 6, 2001

Apple Announces Recall of AC Adapter for Prior Generation PowerBook Laptops

Apple, of Cupertino, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 570,000 AC adapters worldwide that were sold with prior generation PowerBook G3s. These AC adapters could overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple received six reports of these adapters overheating. No injuries have been reported.

No Titanium PowerBook G4 or iBook power adapters are part of this recall. The recall includes only AC adapters with a two-pin connector that came with Apple Macintosh PowerBooks or that were sold separately. The small rectangular black AC adapter box has a permanently attached cord on one end that connects to the computer and a detachable two-prong cord on the other end to plug into an AC outlet. It is approximately 4.75 inches long by 2 inches wide. The label located on the side of the adapter reads in part, "Macintosh PowerBook 45W AC Adapter" and "Model Number: M4402." Electronic and computer stores worldwide and Apple's web site sold these AC adapters with PowerBook G3s from May 1998 through March 2000. They also were sold separately for about $69.

Consumers should stop using these AC adapters and contact Apple to receive a free replacement. For more information, contact Apple at (866) 277-2096 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Sunday through Saturday, or go to their web site at www.apple.com/adapterexchange/.

Apple Media Contact: Nathalie Welch (408) 974-5430 or welch@apple.com.