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Apple joins Dell in Sony battery recall

Dell had to perform the walk of shame for the past weekafter the announcement that it was recalling 4.1 million batteries due to a possible fire risk. At least Dell can now take comfort in knowing that some of the heat that it is receiving will be tranof the heat will no longer be on it -- Apple is now joining in with a recall of 1.8 million notebook batteries.

As is the case with the Dell batteries recalled, Apple’s notebook batteries were also manufactured by Sony. The recall doesn't affect the newer Intel-based notebooks, but does include the 12" iBook G4, 12" PowerBook G4 and 15" PowerBook G4. Apple cites nine reports of batteries overheating and has noted that it has received two reports of minor burns and reports of property damage due to the faulty batteries.

Apple is requesting that customers dial (800) 275-2273 or visit http://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html" rel="nofollow" rel="nofollow to request a replacement battery. Listed below are the notebooks affected by the recall:

Computer model name

Battery model number

Battery serial numbers

12-inch iBook G4

A1061

ZZ338 through ZZ427
3K429 through 3K611
6C510 through 6C626

12-inch PowerBook G4

A1079

ZZ411 through ZZ427
3K428 through 3K611

15-inch PowerBook G4

A1078 and A1148

3K425 through 3K601
6N530 through 6N551
6N601

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Arse
By psychobriggsy on 8/24/2006 1:36:09 PM , Rating: 2
Got to check the model number on my 12" iBook, but arse, annoying, I hope they're doing a 'get new battery, then send back old battery' system.

Still, new battery, not a year old battery!

Yet another massive financial hit to Sony, who will no doubt be paying for this mess like they're paying for Dell's mess.




RE: Arse
By Anh Huynh on 8/24/2006 1:51:09 PM , Rating: 2
I agree. My PB 12" battery is at 86% of its capacity...and its affected. Saves me the trouble of buying another battery :D


RE: Arse
By psychobriggsy on 8/24/2006 1:56:49 PM , Rating: 2
According to https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index...

"After serial number verification, a new battery will be shipped to you, free of charge. When you receive the replacement battery, please use the same shipping packaging and included prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery to Apple."

Good :)


RE: Arse
By Hare on 8/24/2006 4:27:45 PM , Rating: 2
Wrong link. That one is older and regards batteries made by LG.

Here you go, https://support.apple.com/ibook_powerbook/batterye...


RE: Arse
By psychobriggsy on 8/25/2006 6:57:35 AM , Rating: 2
Apple keep changing the damn URLs, what was valid when I wrote it has changed ten times since. Be sure that the page I quoted from at the time was relevant to the current recall.


4-6 weeks...what to do in the mean time?
By vexingv on 8/24/2006 1:58:32 PM , Rating: 2
my 2 yr old 12 inch powerbook battery is included in this recall. i rarely use the thing on battery power and usually leave it plugged into AC power all the time. if it were not for the fact that the laptop would be uneven/lopsided, i'd remove the battery.

anyway, i'm supposed to get a replacement in 4-6 weeks. what should i do in the mean time? take out the battery?




By Suomynona on 8/24/2006 2:15:06 PM , Rating: 3
Pray.


By Griswold on 8/25/2006 12:00:22 PM , Rating: 2
It worked for 2 years without blowing up, it will work another 4-6 weeks.


tick tick....
By protosv on 8/24/2006 10:30:07 PM , Rating: 2
Does anyone know if this type of problem appears immediately, or does it take a few months to manifest? I have an Inspiron 600m for about 1.5 years now with no issues. Am I in the clear?




RE: tick tick....
By INeedCache on 8/24/2006 10:52:00 PM , Rating: 2
You're a walking time bomb.


RE: tick tick....
By Brainonska511 on 8/24/2006 11:05:30 PM , Rating: 2
Why not check the Dell Battery Recall website to see if your machine's battery is part of the recall?


Is this going to end up....
By Merry on 8/24/2006 1:30:40 PM , Rating: 2
Affecting nearly everyone with a damn laptop. I'm getting slightly worried now.




RE: Is this going to end up....
By wwwebsurfer on 8/24/2006 1:36:46 PM , Rating: 2
I'm still hoping they recall mine - save me $150.


qantas and macs?
By kattanna on 8/24/2006 3:23:21 PM , Rating: 2
so is that airline going to handle mac owners the same way they are dealing with dell owners?





RE: qantas and macs?
By Hare on 8/24/2006 4:26:36 PM , Rating: 2
Doubt that. This does not affect current models. Only legacy macs.


Hmmm... o.O
By WizzBall on 8/24/2006 9:11:17 PM , Rating: 3
9 out of 1800000 bateries represent exactly 0.0005%. I'm not sure if this is really a cause of concern, even if the number would be 10 times higher in reality, there's always a certain degree of error/rate of possible defects in a high volume product.

I don't know what the defect rate for the batteries is supposed to be but it seems a bit overkill to recall 2 million batteries for 10 that malfunctioned.

Do they expect that somehow the rate of defects will rise exponentially witht ime? Or perhaps they're afraid of lawsuits and bad PR?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.




RE: Hmmm... o.O
By mindless1 on 8/25/2006 2:18:02 AM , Rating: 1
It's quite simple, they're dangerous and the goal is to AVOID accidents, not wait till they all blow up (DUH?).


...
By brshoemak on 8/24/2006 5:33:48 PM , Rating: 3
Is it just me or does Sony appear to be avoiding a lot of the negative PR surrounding this battery issue? All I hear about are headlines of 4.1 million Dell batteries and now Apple's 1.8 million batteries. What about Sony's 5.9 million faulty batteries?

Not a big deal but if the media seems to be pointing fingers in all the wrong directions. JMO




Calling all recalls
By MonkeyPaw on 8/24/2006 8:37:03 PM , Rating: 2
When I had an iBook, its battery was recalled. IIRC, I just had to log on to the recall webpage, enter the serial number (to verify the recall was necessary) and mailing address, and I received the new battery in the mail shortly after. Stick the old one back in the box and send it back. Returning your old battery is critical, or they will bill you something like $250. All in all, as smooth as it gets.

It does make you wonder what is going on with batteries these days. Are they just cutting too many corners now?




laptops suck
By L1NUXownz1fUR1337 on 8/24/06, Rating: 0
RE: laptops suck
By Hare on 8/25/2006 3:45:28 AM , Rating: 2
Too funny... I think I'll stop laughing around christmas... not...


The real question.....
By GGA1759 on 8/25/2006 11:20:24 AM , Rating: 2
Is that Australian airline going to not allow Apple laptops to operate on battery too like the Dells?




"Young lady, in this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics!" -- Homer Simpson

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