Apple Replaces USB C Cables As Lenovo + HP PC Owners Struggle To Find USB-C to HDMI cables

Apple has been accused of selling dodgy USB-C charge cables, while owners of new HP and Lenovo PC’s in Australia are having to go to J Car to buy a new USB-C to HDMI cable.

Late last week Apple has a replacement program for a number of USB-C charge cables it sold last year.
The company says that the recall is based on a “design issue” that means the cables may stop working correctly.
The recall relates specifically to cables sold during June 2015.

In the case of HP and Lenovo PC’s consumers who have purchased a Lenovo 900 Yoga or a HP Spectre top end notebook will suddenly find that their old Micro HDMI cables don’t fit due to the move by PC manufacturers to start installing HDMI to USB-C technology connectors.

Neither Harvey Norman or JB Hi Fi are currently selling USB-C to HDMI cables.

The only retailer currently selling these cables is Jaycar who have a $59 cable in stock from DigiStar.
For Apple owners concerned over their USB C cables.

“A limited number of Apple USB-C charge cables that were included with MacBook computers through June 2015 may fail due to a design issue,” explains Apple.

“As a result, your MacBook may not charge or only charge intermittently when it’s connected to a power adapter with an effected cable,” the company continues.

Apple says that all “eligible customers” will receive a new, redesigned USB-C cable for free.
It’s worth noting that the program also covers USB-C cables that were sold by Apple as a standalone accessory.
So how do you get a replacement cable? If you’ve already provided a valid mailing address during MacBook registration, you’ll be sent a new cable by the end of the month.

Otherwise, you’ll need to provide your MacBook serial number to verify eligibility. You can then contact Apple through a retail store, an authorised service provider, or Apple Support, to claim your free cable.

Also, if you’ve already replaced your cable because of this issue, you can contact Apple for a refund.

About Post Author

David Richards

David Richards has been writing about technology for more than 30 years. A former Fleet Street journalist, he wrote the Award Winning Series on the Federated Ships Painters + Dockers Union for the Bulletin that led to a Royal Commission. He is also a Logie Winner for Outstanding Contribution To TV Journalism with a story called The Werribee Affair. In 1997, he built the largest Australian technology media company and prior to that the third largest PR company that became the foundation company for Ogilvy PR. Today he writes about technology and the impact on both business and consumers.