Apple to Recall 1.8M Laptop Batteries

Apple Computer will recall 1.8 million batteries used in its iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 laptop computers after receiving nine reports of the batteries overheating and in some instances causing minor burns to their users, Reuters reports via USAToday.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission called Dell’s massive recall of 4.1 million laptop batteries last week the largest in the country’s history. All of the batteries recalled in both cases contained cells manufactured by Sony, which has already stated that it would help foot the bill for the Dell battery recall.

Apple is to recall some 1.1 million batteries from notebooks sold in the United States and roughly 700,000 batteries from laptops sold overseas, according to Reuters. The machines at issue were bought between October 2003 and August 2006, Reuters reports.

Two of the complaints Apple received in relation to its laptops’ battery issued involved individuals who received minor burns from the incidents, according to Reuters.

Sony issued a statement—which is posted on The Wall Street Journal’s website—saying that it is backing Apple on its move and doesn’t foresee additional recalls of batteries it supplied power cells for.

“Sony is committed to the safety of consumers and supports this recall of battery packs using these particular battery cells,” the statement reads.

Sony also said it has introduced new safety procedures to its battery cell production process.

“We believe the issue has been addressed to the satisfaction of our customers.”

In the release, Sony estimates the cost to it of both recalls to be between $171.7 million and $257.7 million.

The news comes on the same day that the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered Sony and Dell to perform further investigations into the faulty batteries.

Related Links:

• Japan Orders Sony, Dell to Investigate Battery Issues

• Sony Battery Issues Could Go Beyond Dell Laptops

• Dell to Recall 4.1M Batteries Due to Fire Hazard

• Dell Gives Businesses Options in Battery Recall

• Dell Remains True to Sony

• Sony to Help Foot Bill for Dell Battery Recall

Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage.