Apple to recall 1.8 million Sony-made batteries

As of today, Dell isn't the only major victim of Sony's exploding battery fiasco. (Well, if you don't count the millions of consumers potentially in danger -- and who does?) Apple has just recalled 1.8 million iBook and PowerBook laptop batteries, 1.1 million of those in the US and 700,000 abroad. They've had their fair share of recalls already, including the unrelated MacBook Pro battery recall just last month, and another Powerbook/iBook recall last year, but this one really takes the proverbial cake. Apple says they've received nine reports of overheating, with two incidents of minor burning and a few claims of "minor" property damage. The laptop models include the 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4, and the recall includes computers sold from October 2003 through August 2006. So unless you're looking for the next hot pic of a laptop inferno, we suppose you'd better head on over to the official recall site and peep your battery serial number for the official word on your particular model.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Jamus @ Aug 24th 2006 1:29PM]

Hmm, didnt this happen about 3 weeks ago, before the big Dell recall?

[zd @ Aug 24th 2006 1:32PM]

Just how much can Sony screw up this year?

[StefanW @ Aug 24th 2006 1:32PM]

That is really impressive.

[Hob @ Aug 24th 2006 1:34PM]

Umm... is there a link to the recall? I can't find it on apple.com, apple.com/uk or apple.com/support !

[Jesse @ Aug 24th 2006 1:34PM]

Is there a link for this new recall page? I can only find the previous recall for Macbook Pro's up until May 2006.

[Vertigo @ Aug 24th 2006 1:40PM]

https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html
the "read" link should point you to there, but there seems to be a typo in it.

[James Scott @ Aug 24th 2006 1:41PM]

Sweet, my battery in my PBG4 can barely hold a charge any more! It's been abused heavily and does get pretty hot.

[Wiilly? @ Aug 24th 2006 1:43PM]

This is ridiculous. What the hell kind of quality control do they have? The reports of laptop batteries going up in smoke is border-line pathetic.

[Kurt @ Aug 24th 2006 1:44PM]

how do we find out if our battery is included? I would love to get a new battery for my powerbook...the battery life has gone down quite a bit.

[Jenna @ Aug 24th 2006 1:47PM]

Wait - What Macbook Pro recall?

[paix247 @ Aug 24th 2006 1:47PM]

That link that was just posted is an OLD recall.

The newly recalled serial numbers are listed here:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news/index_mail.shtml?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-24-2006/0004421452&EDATE=

[Entonne @ Aug 24th 2006 1:50PM]

Here is the new recall: https://support.apple.com/ibook_powerbook/batteryexchange/index.html

[Trevin Ward @ Aug 24th 2006 1:52PM]

This is an old battery recall, apple recalled these batteries long before Dell ever did.

[Robotron @ Aug 24th 2006 1:55PM]

PS2 laser, this, rootkit fiasco
I would hate to be an early adopter for the PS3.

[Jiggsaw @ Aug 24th 2006 1:57PM]

I have to hand it to Sony.. first they have the PS3 that's the longest running VAPOR POS (n)ever to reach the market (for if and when it ever does it will be obsolete and irrelevant given the poor dollar to value ratio featured).

Now Sony batteries VAPORIZE POS apple laptops. GOOD JOB.

[Rod @ Aug 24th 2006 2:08PM]

Any idea on whether the Toshiba and Lenovo laptops will be affected? I own one of each.

[Yuri Walkiw @ Aug 24th 2006 2:15PM]

I can see Apple's stock taking a big hit on this, after the stock options and no iPhone.

http://bookoftech.blogspot.com

[thak @ Aug 24th 2006 2:18PM]

okay..there seem to be many dell haters and just as many apple haters. lets get this straight. dell and apple BOTH had recalls before these new ones. Just in the recent past, Dell and then Apple, BOTH announced a SECOND set of recalls. who was first who was last doesnt matter....as long as they fix it!!!! Grow up people, all companies make shit product at one point or another...turns out its Sony's turn this year....

[Matt @ Aug 24th 2006 2:22PM]

So much for that "shitty Dell making it's battery explode"...

Oh and the "It's not the fault of the battery manufacturer, it's Dells fault for making the laptops charge the batteries too fast.."

Guess we really can blame Sony for this whole thing. Thank goodness my Thinkpad T60 has a Sanyo battery.

[Raider @ Aug 24th 2006 2:25PM]

Looks like the aluminum contained it a little better than the Dell plastic. I mean look at detailed pictures of the Dells. They have much bigger craters in them. But in any case.... Go Sony... their way of stickin' it to the competition..... wait they had a notebook explode too? LOLOLLOLOLOLOLOL

[jalapeno @ Aug 24th 2006 2:32PM]

Thank goodness my laptop battery is made by Sanyo!

[Karl Viklund @ Aug 24th 2006 2:35PM]

Sony Sony Sony...

[rip @ Aug 24th 2006 3:08PM]

So who is paying for the recall, Dell/Apple or Sony?

Anyone?

[James Wu @ Aug 24th 2006 3:12PM]

Here's the CPSC site with the serial numbers and a link to Apple's battery recall site, which is either getting hammered or isn't up yet:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06245.html

[Booger @ Aug 24th 2006 3:47PM]

If you have a Mac stay the fuck away from me. I'm serious.

[Ari @ Aug 24th 2006 4:24PM]

Sony's taking the fall...

"...In both cases, the batteries had power cells made by Sony Corp. Apple, like Dell, said it did not expect any "material" financial impact on its business.

Sony said in a separate statement that it did not anticipate further recalls of batteries using the potentially faulty cells. The Japanese electronics company said the Apple and Dell recalls would cost Sony between 20 billion yen and 30 billion yen -- or $172 million to $258 million..."

Extracted from: http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/060824/apple_recall.html?.v=8

[Ectoplasm @ Aug 24th 2006 4:25PM]

Sure hope they don't use these batteries in the PS3

[Agency Life @ Aug 24th 2006 4:26PM]

There is a MacBook Pro Recall

https://support.apple.com/macbookpro15/batteryexchange/

[Karl Viklund @ Aug 24th 2006 5:04PM]

Ectoplasm, there will be no batteries in the PS3 LOL...

[RJR @ Aug 24th 2006 5:05PM]

Could somebody please explain the picture to me? If you look at the half that shows the computer, both the screen and the keyboard have a whole blown through it (which would leave me to believe that the screen was down when the battery exploded). On the other half of the picture (without the computer), there's a hole at the top and the bottom?

Am I missing something? Does the computer have a battery in the screen, AND in the bottom half?

[o rly @ Aug 24th 2006 5:16PM]

Where are all the Apple supporters that were making fun of Dell's recall a few weeks back?

[HyperHacker @ Aug 24th 2006 5:42PM]

Sony does it again!

[paul @ Aug 24th 2006 5:48PM]

The form and serial list is at:
http://support.apple.com/batteryprogram

I just tried to apply for the replacement online, and even though my battery does fall within the affected range, the online form says it’s not a valid number. I called Apple about it. They told me that the online form is wrong. They are experiencing technical difficulties with the servers (probably too much traffic). They asked me to try again later… they weren’t able to do it over the phone. If you’re having trouble with the form, don’t bother calling Apple just yet… try the form again later tonight or tomorrow.

[tallfella @ Aug 24th 2006 6:04PM]

well, my 12" 1.5Ghz G4 PB's battery was not on the list (damn! there goes my new batt ;o) On Apple's site it says the affected battery was made by LG Chem from South Korea - NOT SONY... I wonder why the story is different?!

[Chris @ Aug 24th 2006 7:12PM]

Wow, I literally just got my powerbook back 2 weeks ago after taking it into my local apple store to complain about my laptop overheating and the battery getting hot enough to cause pain when my fiance touched it. After "testing" it for 2 days they returned saying it "had no problems".

Oops.

[Vaginer @ Aug 24th 2006 7:38PM]

I guess Apple should test their 3rd party hardware before buying it? Do companys who sell products have a obligation to test their products to make sure they are not dangerious before they sell them? Apple and Dell should at least put a sticker on their products saying, "this laptop may EXPLODE!" that way its the customers fault for buying it if it does explode.

[Melissa @ Aug 24th 2006 8:46PM]

Hi, my battery serial number is not on the list, but if I work my computer on my lap it has a tendency to burn me. Surely that's not right?

[George @ Aug 24th 2006 8:59PM]

APPLE IMAGE DAMAGED.DELL'S LEADERSHIP SEEN

Interesting perspecting from analysts in the reuters article.

The Dell recall affects less than 20 percent of the Dell laptops sold at the time, whereas the Apple recall affects more than 30 percent of the total number of laptops Apple sold in the period affected by the recall, according to IDC analyst Richard Shim.

The fact that Dell volunteered to recall its laptops nearly two weeks before Apple's recall could harm Apple's image as consumer-friendly and proactive in the face of problems, said Chris Le Tocq, an analyst with Guernsey Research.

"There's a follower image here that's potentially an issue," Le Tocq said. "Apple's position as a leader says they should have gone to market first with this. Dell comes out of the gate first, Apple is now second, and the conclusion is, 'We're not quite as consumer-friendly as Dell.'"

[my.laptop.assplode @ Aug 24th 2006 9:18PM]

"It will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks for your replacement battery to arrive..."

please discontinue using your current battery they say: for 1 and half friggin months?!?

[jojo @ Aug 24th 2006 9:22PM]

I was a proud owner of an Apple laptop. I think im going to give this crap as a gift to my mother in law just to get even.

[Tony Valentine @ Aug 25th 2006 12:24AM]

Well what do you know, the battery for my 12" 1.5Ghz G4 PB is getting replaced. Now, I wonder how long it will take apple to get out to me. Man, no more leaving the laptop on while I am out of the house until I get the new battery.

[Michael Wyszomierski @ Aug 25th 2006 2:21AM]

Just FYI, there seems to be a problem with Apple's serial number verification system. The battery on my sister's iBook has a serial number well within the range listed on Apple's page and is the correct model number, but when I enter it in the form I'm told that the battery is not eligible for replacement. We'll have to call when the phones open up tomorrow. So, make sure you look at the posted ranges and don't just trust the serial number verification.

And in response to my.laptop.assplode: You won't be without a battery for 4-6 weeks. From to the FAQ on Apple's page:
Q. Do I have to send in my recalled battery before I can receive a replacement battery?
A. No, Apple will send you the replacement battery first and then you will send Apple the recalled battery.

[Chirag @ Aug 25th 2006 9:43AM]

Regarding the website not working properly, i had that problem (my battery number well within the range but not accepted) so i called them up and spoke to a grumpy customer service person at apple who managed to order me a new battery which they said should come within 5 business days, whether that is the case or not is to be seen, hopfully though my laptop will not explode in the mean time lol,

[SlyckStyx @ Aug 25th 2006 11:49AM]

"If you have a Mac stay the fuck away from me. I'm serious."

Funniest thing I've read in weeks!

[Gio - NYC @ Aug 25th 2006 4:37PM]

Why all of a sudden Apple batteries are bad?
This is all bullshit, the batteries in the Apple Laptops will work fine. The pic is a hoax. Never in my life have i seen an ibook explode.

[WordB @ Aug 26th 2006 11:09PM]

Macs would be a cool accessory for a suicide bombers.

[George @ Aug 28th 2006 9:11PM]

WOW...look what Reuters reports -- Imagine Apple the follower to Dell in the consumer market no less!!! hahahahah

The Dell recall affects less than 20 percent of the Dell laptops sold at the time, whereas the Apple recall affects more than 30 percent of the total number of laptops Apple sold in the period affected by the recall, according to IDC analyst Richard Shim.

The fact that Dell volunteered to recall its laptops nearly two weeks before Apple's recall could harm Apple's image as consumer-friendly and proactive in the face of problems, said Chris Le Tocq, an analyst with Guernsey Research.

"There's a follower image here that's potentially an issue," Le Tocq said. "Apple's position as a leader says they should have gone to market first with this. Dell comes out of the gate first, Apple is now second, and the conclusion is, 'We're not quite as consumer-friendly as Dell.'"

[Scott @ Sep 2nd 2006 12:48AM]

I have a Lenovo and I want to know if it has one of those Sony batteries in it?? Lenovo say they don't have this problem but if the Sony batteries are bad and can fail, i don't want that in my laptop! Does anyone know how to tell if my Lenovo battery is from Sony?

[Benson Leung @ Sep 4th 2006 1:04PM]

It looks like the safety recall affects Powerbook G4s and iBook G4s.

The MacBook Pro and MacBook lines use a different battery technology than the older gen Apple 'books. MB and MBP use Lithium-Ion Polymer, not Lithium Ion.

[doggar @ Sep 4th 2006 3:08PM]

"This is an old battery recall, apple recalled these batteries long before Dell ever did."

Actually, no. This is a new recall as of August 24th, 2006.