Apple recalls batteries on Powerbooks, iBooks

If you bought an Apple portable between October 2004 and May 2005, check your serial number — that laptop could be hot, and not in a good way. Apple is recalling the batteries on a number of 12-inch iBook and Powerbook G4s and 15-inch Powerbook G4s because an internal electrical short could pose a fire threat. Affected model numbers are A1061, A1078 and A1079, with serial numbers HQ441 - HQ507 or 3X446 - 3X510. You can get a free replacement via Apple's website, and we imagine the process ought to be pretty smooth now that they've had some practice with this type of thing before.

[www.mygadgetbag.com @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Doh, I just bought my powerbook, and my battery is one of the ones that need to be replaced!

Oh, my luck...:)

[Krusty @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

"Doh, I just bought my powerbook, and my battery is one of the ones that need to be replaced!"
hahahaha

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Hey nothing wrong with getting a new battery for free. As long as it's not a refurb'ed one.

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Eek...didn't buy my PowerBook then, but I think I did get my battery replaced then.

[cybertrash @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

yup, dates are right for me.
I'll have to check it when I get home.

[cuby @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

"If you bought an Apple portable between October 2004 and May 2005, check your serial number � that laptop could be hot, and not in a good way."

so if it were hot as in "stolen", that would be a good way?

[Chris Gregg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Interesting. I just had my battery replaced under warranty a few months ago (it went bad pretty quickly), and it is on the list to be replaced. It's already starting to lose some of its abilities, so it will be nice to get another fresh one. Yay Apple.

[Phil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Holy crap, an apple thread without 100 comments???

[Oskar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Buhuuu. My iBook is one of those.. Buhuuu.

A1061 HQ446 :/

[Christina @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I'll have the check mine when i get home. That sucks, though, because my computer just got back from them for a different problem and now that.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I got a replacement battery in that time period. it's serial number starts with 3K446 not 3X446 though...X's look kinda like K's, so could the memo have gotten mixed up? (i want a new battery, mine's being dumb)

[Timmah! @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Do people actuall buy this junk in the first place? hahahah suckas!

[kerry @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I have an older iBook with a new battery that meets the criteria for the recall, but Apple's website told me that my computer isn't eligible for the exchange. The hell?

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

To bad they won't replace them with these longer lasting ones:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAPIB111V48/

[met @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

How come people are complaining about the battery starting to suck anyway ?
Shouldn't the battery last longer than 6 months?

Was planning to buy a powerbook this month, worried now.

[Bootes @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

No! Mine's not one of them. :( I was so excited that I would get a new battery. The clear plastic is starting to seperate from the rest of the batter, and it doesn't keep it's charge very long. :(

[Bootes @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Oh and mines a couple years old. Anyways LG seems to be messing up a lot. This and the last battery recall was both from LG. Also awhile ago LG DVD drives misunderstood some rarely used command as an order to erase it's firmware. I had to get a new one since it was from Dell, and they wouldn't give me the firmware.

[Jesse @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Apple phone support just told me that there's a glitch with the page -- even if your battery qualifies, the website might be telling you that it doesn't.

The solution? "Try again later." So don't think you're safe just because the web site told you so...

[Casual Observer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I don't know what alll this fuss is about, i've been using one with that number for quita while now and It's never oncegi ijsbabsasaaaa.....

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Hmmm, I just bought my iBook a few months ago and I was sure my battery would be on the list but it isn't. When I bought my computer OS 10.3.8 was the latest OS but my iBook came with 10.3.5 so I think it must have been sitting in inventory (just waiting for me).