Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Early MacBook charging cables prone to failure, Apple offers replacement

By

apple launches replacement program for usb type c cable tim cook new macbook 2015
Image used with permission by copyright holder
If you bought a 12-inch Retina MacBook prior to June of last year, you might be eligible for a free replacement power cord thanks to Apple’s freshly launched USB-C Charge Cable Replacement Program listed on its website. The Cupertino company claims that the cables included with the computer are inclined to fail “due to a design issue.”

While it’s not clear exactly where the issue stems from, the effect is that the cable may charge the MacBook inconsistently or not at all, even when properly connected. Furthermore, Apple points out that the label on the potentially faulty cables and the revised ones differ ever so slightly, as depicted in the image below.

affected_cable
Image used with permission by copyright holder
redesigned_cable
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The company notes that the free replacement cable opportunity isn’t limited solely to those that shipped with the MacBook, and that if you bought a USB-C charger as a standalone accessory, you could be eligible for a replacement as well. If you gave a valid address, either when registering your MacBook online or buying it at the Apple Online Store, you can expect to receive your cable automatically. Otherwise, you’ll need to contact Apple Support, locate an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or visit the Genius Bar at an Apple Retail Store in your area.

Recommended Videos

If you’re one of the many that was likely affected by this manufacturing fluke, you’ll have all the way until June 8, 2018 to get your cable replaced.

Related

This is the second Replacement Program we’ve reported on from Apple in the past week. On Monday, Apple revealed that it would be willing to repair the graphics cards in its late 2013 edition of the Mac Pro. Even more alarming, on January 28, a recall was issued on both Mac and iOS AC adapters after the company discovered that the wall chargers could produce an electrical shock to the user when touched.

Maybe it’s high time Apple considered changing manufacturing partners.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabe Carey
Gabe Carey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…
Which color MacBook should you buy? Here’s how to pick
The MacBook Air on a table in front of a window.

Apple’s MacBook laptops come in a range of colors, and selecting which is right for you can be a tricky business. Sure, it’s perhaps not as important as deciding which chip to pick or how much memory you should buy, but it’s still a vital part of the equation. After all, you’re going to see that color every time you reach for your MacBook. You don’t want it to be something that fills you with regret.

But how should you pick a MacBook color? And what do the colors even look like in the first place? We’ve got the answers to those questions in this guide. We’d also advise you to go to an Apple Store to take a look at the MacBook colors in person, as some can be hard to appreciate just by browsing Apple’s website.

Read more
Why you should buy a MacBook Air instead of a MacBook Pro
The MacBook Air on a table in front of a window.

The MacBook Air has officially caught up. Now with the M3 on board, the MacBook Air has gained the benefits of the new chip, which was previously available just on the MacBook Pro and iMac.

Choosing between the M3 15-inch MacBook Air and the 14-inch MacBook Pro is tough, and requires an in-depth look at differences in ports, displays, speakers, and more. It's a legitimately hard decision to make.

Read more
The MacBook Air 15 vs. MacBook Pro 14: the easy way to decide
Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air placed on a desk with its lid closed.

Picking out a new MacBook isn't as easy as it used to be.

The hardest choice in the lineup might be between the 15-inch MacBook Air and the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Both are now offered with the same M3 chip, despite there being a $300 difference in the base models. But when similarly configured, there's actually only a $100 difference between these two laptops.

Read more