What you need to know
- Apple looks set to settle a class-action lawsuit over its 2011 MacBook Pro filed in Quebec.
- A settlement of $5.3 million has been offered and could be approved at a hearing later this month.
- Qualifying class members could receive payments of $175.
A class-action lawsuit filed against Apple over its 2011 MacBook Pro in Quebec looks set to be settled to the tune of $5.3 million CAD, over a graphics defect in its 15-inch and 17-inch models.
Filed in December 2014, a class-action lawsuit alleges that 15-inch and 17-inch Macbook Pro laptops manufactured by Apple suffer from a graphics defect or issue. According to a communication sent to potential class members seen by iMore, a proposed settlement from Apple would seek to compensate class members without admitting liability, wrongdoing, or fault. The communication states that if the proposed settlement is approved class members can claim up to $175 per device. In addition, any class members who paid for repairs relating to a graphics issue with their devices prior to January 1 2017 can further claim full reimbursement for the cost of these repairs.
A settlement approval hearing will take place virtually before the Superior Court of Quebec on April 28, 2021, at 9:30 am local time.
Instructions regarding the upcoming hearing, as well as how class members can object or comment on the settlement can be found at www.laptopgraphicsclassaction.com, which details the full value of the settlement:
The parties to the Class Action have reached a proposed settlement (the "Settlement Agreement") subject to obtaining the approval of the Superior Court of Quebec. The Settlement Agreement provides that Defendants agree to pay $5,344,575.00 in settlement of the Class Action (the "Total Settlement Fund").
Class members who might qualify for a payout are defined as:
- all persons in Quebec, who purchased and/or own a 2011 MacBook Pro Laptop with a 15 inch or 17 inch screen; and
- all persons, who purchased in Quebec a 2011 MacBook Pro Laptop with a 15 inch or 17 inch screen
As the communication notes, the settlement is applicable not only to residents in Quebec but also to anyone who lives elsewhere but may have purchased a qualifying device there.
The deadline for comments and objections is April 19 ahead of the hearing. In 2015 Apple launched a repair program for MacBooks including the 2011 MacBook Pro, some of which were affected by display and video issues caused by faulty GPUs.
