Apple Recalls 1.1 Million Laptop Batteries

elzurawka writes "Apple has issued a recall of over 1 million batteries in the U.S.. This comes after Dell recalled over 4 million batteries just last week. It appears to be again an issue with Sony produced batteries. From the article: 'Computer giant Apple is recalling upwards of 1.1m batteries used in its laptop computers in the US. The announcement affects laptop computers sold between October 2003 and August 2006 and impacts the company's latest range of machines ... The recall is said to be the second biggest in consumer electronic history and will come as a blow to Apple after its launch of new MacBook and MacBook Pro machines had been hailed as a huge success for the firm.'"

MacBook renamed

[Duds (100634)]

Henceforth it shall be known as the "MacBoom"

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[Cybrex (156654)]

I get the joke, but actually it's only G4 iBooks and PowerBooks that are affected. None of Apple's current lineup is included.

But I thought...

[Mister Whirly (964219)]

I thought Macs were immune to all types of attacks, even faulty batteries. Are you sure this isn't a PC only problem?

Can you see the new "I'm a PC, I'm a Mac" commercial?

PC guy: Hey Mac, you look a little hot.
Mac guy: (smoking) I don't feel so good. (falls to ground and bursts into flames)

CNN causing slashdot effect?

[Danathar (267989)]

If a story on the front page of slashdot causes the "Slashdot effect", what is it called when something from the front page of CNN causes the same thing?

Crap!

[BlackGriffen (521856)]

My battery isn't listed in the recall: https://support.apple.com/ibook_powerbook/batterye xchange/index.html [apple.com]

iBook G4 12-inch battery model: A1061
serial number starts with ranges:
ZZ338-ZZ427
3K429-3K611
6C519-6C552

PowerBook G4 12-inch model: A1079
serial number starts with ranges:
ZZ411 - ZZ427
3K428 - 3K611

PowerBook G4 15-inch model: A1078 and A1148
serial number starts with ranges:
3K425 - 3K601
6N530 - 6N551
6N601

It is, however, down to about 75% of what used to be full capacity at full charge.

I wanted a new battery. :(

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[XxtraLarGe (551297)]

Yeah, I don't have any problems with my battery as far as heat goes, but it only holds a charge for about 45 minutes when I run my computer in highest performance mode. A new battery is exactly what I need!

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[objekt (232270)]

Thanks!

I'm here all week!

Try the spaghetti.

Modded Funny?

[conigs (866121)]

Why's this modded as "Funny?" I'm looking forward to this recall for the same reason. I overused my batter and it only holds about a 20-30 minute charge. I get a nice, new, free battery from Apple that will last me until I decide to upgrade!

Of course, I just posted instead of using my mod points.... damn it!

Yes, I realize I typed that before I actually posted and therefor, could have used my mod-points, but shut up!

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[jc42 (318812)]

Damn! I got a 17" Powerbook, and its batteries are also approaching senility. But 17" PB batteries aren't in the recall list.

Guess I'll just have to pay for a new one. (Then they'll recall the old ones. ;-)

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[jx100 (453615)]

I actually managed to get through to them before the slashdotting, and talked with a CSR there. After confirming that I had a 'splodie battery, what were their instructions?

Go to the website to fill out a form.

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[adamjaskie (310474)]

That is my take on it. My battery is getting kinda weak. Not horribly weak, but I am getting noticably shorter run times.

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[mzwaterski (802371)]

Does your battery say that it is made by Sony? How can one tell?

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[Mister Whirly (964219)]

"the form to submit your serial numbers. That's reason enough to use SSL."

Hypothetically, how much damage could someone do with your laptop's serial number? I suppose someone could try to file a false technical support claim, but what advantage would that be to them?

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[LincolnQ (648660)]

I bought a PB17" in 2004, and it's unpleasantly hot when I'm using the processor heavily. One thing that helped a lot was changing the power management setting to "automatic" rather than "maximum" even on AC power -- now I can use it on my lap just fine and it only becomes unpleasant when I'm doing processor intensive work for long periods of time. I don't think that's a battery issue, though.

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[Rimbo (139781)]

- UMD movies

Re:Battery Exchang for MacBook Pro, iBook & Po

[Rimbo (139781)]

Those sites are so slashdotted, it's not even funny.

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[owlnation (858981)]

Who? Well in my experience about 50% (or slightly higher) of those doing professional or broadcast video. Sony, despite all the problems with consumer products, remains incredibly strong with pro-video. The only competition of note is Panasonic - and even they collaborate with Sony on some projects.

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[grumpyman (849537)]

Yeah I'm only speaking on their consumer products - I have no experience on their other stuff like pro video.

It has always been, in my dictionary, SONY mean good quality and buy-with-confidence. Now that I remember my first 'wtf' with SONY is when compact flash was out along with MemoryStick - Sony digital cameras were good but heck, I cannot allow myself get stuck with only their product with the memory that's pretty much not compatible with anything else.

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[thatguywhoiam (524290)]

Can things get any worse for Sony??...-PS3 -BlueRay -Battery Scandal

Oh I don't know, I think things could get much worse for them.

For instance, if the general public had any fucking clue as to what you are on about.

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[thatguywhoiam (524290)]

Between the rootkits and the exploding batteries, is it too early to declare SONY a terrorist organization ?

By U.S. rules? Not at all. Invasive surveillance of private computers is a felony at a minimum. Exploding batteries, certain proof of terrorist activities. If they can arrest the dude for trying to light his shoes on fire, or the idiots that thought they could take down the Brooklyn Bridge with torch cutters, then I's say absolutely.

Of course... you used the word 'terrorist'. Which makes me suspic

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[Tycho (11893)]

The Lithium in these batteries will be recycled; mainly it is easier to recover Lithium from batteries than it is to recover Lithium from its ore. Lithium is rare in the Universe, the conditions for its ore to form are rare, and Lithium is hard to recover from its ore. At any rate, Lithium is mined from the crystals that form at the top of pegamitic granite plutons. (Hah, eat that astronomers!) Pegamatitic granite is essentially granite that is made up of large crystals.

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[c (8461)]

in the meantime the CPSC release gives all the details

Be warned that the CPSC release and the Apple site have, as of a few minutes ago, different serial number ranges for the third group of 12" iBook batteries (6C626 vs 6C552). I'll probably have to wait for the phone lines to clear in order to find out if we need to replace one or two...

c.

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[LifeWithJustin (969206)]

I'm really not trying to start anything. But... who wants to use a product that is limited to usage with 1 or 2 brands when you can use a format that is supported by nearly all companies? Uh... Mac users?

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[frdmfghtr (603968)]

Correct...from http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/08/24/ap2 972235.html [forbes.com]:

Sony said the recalls will cost it between $172 million and $278 million. Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said its recall was not expected to materially affect the company's results. Dell has said the recall would not affect earnings.

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[Firehed (942385)]

What? We blamed Sony for the Dell recall too. Apple has been having battery problems just as much as Dell has recently. They just look better when on fire.