Not Again! Apple Recalls 1.8 Million Sony Laptop Batteries

Apple Computer today announced a recall of 1.8 million lithium-ion batteries for its iBook and PowerBook notebook PCs, reports Ben Ames of IDG News Service. This is just 10 days after Dell recalled 4.1 million batteries made for its laptops by Sony.

The Apple batteries, also made by Sony Energy Devices, could overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said today.

Apple has counted nine reports of overheating, including two instances that caused minor burns from handling the hot computers, the commission said.

Apple Response

"We discovered that some Sony batteries in previous models of PowerPC-based iBooks and PowerBooks do not meet Apple's standards for safety and performance," said Teresa Weaver, a spokeswoman for Apple, of Cupertino, California.

The recall affects only Apple notebooks using PowerPC processors from IBM, not the newer models with chips from Intel, she said.

The affected batteries were built in Sony plants in Japan, Taiwan, and China, then sold by Apple between October 2003 and August 2006, both in new computers and as replacements. They include 1.1 million packs sold in the U.S. and 700,000 sold in other countries.

Apple is telling users to remove the faulty cells immediately, so those customers will have to stay near an AC power outlet to use their computers while they wait four to six weeks for a new battery to arrive. This was similar to the advice Dell gave its consumers.

Apple has not yet decided what type of battery it will send users in return, Weaver said. However, the company will collect the faulty ones for safe disposal.

What Notebooks?

The batteries were used with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4, and 15-inch PowerBook G4. No other Apple PC models are involved.

Affected consumers are advised to contact Apple at 1-800-275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Central Time Monday through Sunday or log on to Apple's Web site to check the battery's serial number and request a replacement battery.

Here are the serial numbers of the recalled batteries and the serial numbers of affected laptops.

12-inch iBook G4s: With this battery serial number--A1061; and with these laptop serial numbers--ZZ338 through ZZ427, 3K429 through 3K611, and 6C510 through 6C626.

12-inch PowerBook G4s: With this battery serial number--A1079; and with these laptop serial numbers--ZZ411 through ZZ427, and 3K428 through 3K611.

15-inch PowerBook G4s: With these battery serial numbers--A1078 and A1148; and with these laptop serial numbers--3K425 through 3K601, 6N530 through 6N551, and 6N601.