Sans admitting fault, Apple has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that the power adapters sold with the PowerPC-based iBook and PowerBook notebooks were defective and that there exists a possibility of dangerous fraying, sparking and premature failure.

According to AppleInsider, the company has offered to provide a cash payment to customers who purchased certain model PowerBook or iBook notebooks, had their power adapter units fail within three years of the initial purchase and then purchased a replacement adapter.

In pursuing this case, the Gordon v. Apple Computer, Inc. web site has offered a list of serial number codes for affected notebooks as well as helpful resources to aid potential class members in locating the serial number on their Mac notebooks.

In order to claim a share of the settlement, customers must print, complete, sign and mail the Claim Form to the Claims Administrator postmarked by February 11, 2009 for Replacement Adapters purchased on or before October 14, 2008.

For filing a claim for a Replacement Adapter purchased after October 14, class members must print, complete, sign and mail the Claim Form to the Claims Administrator postmarked within 120 days of the adapter failure OR by May 31, 2009, whichever date is earlier.

Deadlines for excluding oneself from the settlement, objecting to the settlement, and so forth, are available in this table.

If you've seen this problem on your end, were part of the lawsuit or have an opinion on this, please let us know in the comments or forums.