Apple recalls 1.8M iBook and PowerBook G4 batteries
Apple Computer on Thursday recalled 1.8 million notebook batteries used in its previous generation iBook and PowerBook G4 notebooks because they pose a fire hazard.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said it has received nine reports of batteries overheating, including two reports of minor burns. While there have been some reports of minor property damage, Apple said no serious injuries have been reported.
The rechargeable lithium-ion batteries include cells manufactured by Sony and were sold with the company's 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4 notebooks between October 2003 and August 2006.
Apple's recall comes just weeks after Dell said it was recalling 4.1 million of its own notebook batteries, which similarly featured cells built by Sony.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Apple's recall covers 1.1 million battery packs sold in the United States and some 700,000 additional units sold abroad. The batteries were manufactured in Japan, Taiwan and China.
"Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge," Apple said. "After removing the recalled battery from their iBook or PowerBook, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives."
Affected customers can contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday or log on to Apple’s Web site to check the battery’s serial number and request a replacement battery.
In a separate announcement on Thursday, the CPSC said batteries being sold with Apple's current line of 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks have been cleared and do not pose any risks to customers.
Sony is estimating the overall cost in supporting Apple and Dell's battery recall program at 20 billion yen to 30 billion yen, or $172.1 million to $258.1 million.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said it has received nine reports of batteries overheating, including two reports of minor burns. While there have been some reports of minor property damage, Apple said no serious injuries have been reported.
The rechargeable lithium-ion batteries include cells manufactured by Sony and were sold with the company's 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4 notebooks between October 2003 and August 2006.
Apple's recall comes just weeks after Dell said it was recalling 4.1 million of its own notebook batteries, which similarly featured cells built by Sony.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Apple's recall covers 1.1 million battery packs sold in the United States and some 700,000 additional units sold abroad. The batteries were manufactured in Japan, Taiwan and China.
"Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge," Apple said. "After removing the recalled battery from their iBook or PowerBook, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives."
Affected customers can contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday or log on to Apple’s Web site to check the battery’s serial number and request a replacement battery.
In a separate announcement on Thursday, the CPSC said batteries being sold with Apple's current line of 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks have been cleared and do not pose any risks to customers.
Sony is estimating the overall cost in supporting Apple and Dell's battery recall program at 20 billion yen to 30 billion yen, or $172.1 million to $258.1 million.
Comments
CPSC lists a range of 6C510 through 6C626
Apple lists a range of 6C519 through 6C552
My old PowerBook which belongs to my mom is officially under the recall. 3K516 model.
Awesome! Tell her I said hi!
Is their site just swamped, or is this some other issue? Can anyone else get to it?
Awesome! Tell her I said hi!
ROTFLMAO!
One of my two batteries for my 15" PowerBook G4 falls under the recall, so I'm going to send it back. The only problem is, I can't get at the web site at Apple. It just keeps telling me it failed to load because it cannot establish a secure connection!
Is their site just swamped, or is this some other issue? Can anyone else get to it?
Try again later this evening. Thank you for participating. Have a nice day.
I wonder why the 14" iBook batteries aren't being recalled.
Because they are different models?
Because they are different models?
I would assume that there's nothing different between the batteries in the 12" iBook and the 14" iBook. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they got a different company to manufacture them.
I would assume that there's nothing different between the batteries in the 12" iBook and the 14" iBook. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they got a different company to manufacture them.
They're different.
They're different.
Yes, but different how? The only noticeable difference is the size of the battery between the two models.
My old PowerBook which belongs to my mom is officially under the recall. 3K516 model.
You deserve to be PROUD of that fact.
Yes, but different how? The only noticeable difference is the size of the battery between the two models.
Just the fact that the sizes (and probably charge capacities) are different could mean that they are from different production lines, different factories or manufacturers.
Trust sony to burn Apples customers and blow up their macs (as well as Dells)!
I'm affected! So now thanks to sony I have a bomb in my house!
Awesome! Tell her I said hi!
That's FUNNY!!!
Ace!