Feds clear Apple's MacBook Pro batteries

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has examined substandard batteries for Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks and determined they don't pose a safety risk.

Apple last month voluntarily launched an exchange program for batteries sold as part of its 15-inch notebook line, explaining on its Web site that some of batteries did not meet its "high standards for battery performance."

The program was believed to be in response to reports of 15-inch MacBook Pro batteries that had swollen or become deformed due an excessive amount of heat.

Apple said the affected batteries may have been included in 15-inch MacBook Pro systems that were sold from February 2006 through May 2006. The affected batteries have model number A1175 and a 12-digit serial number that ends with U7SA, U7SB or U7SC.

A CPSC's spokesman declined to say whether Sony was involved in the manufacturing of the MacBook Pro batteries in question.

Earlier this month, Dell said it was recalling 4.1 million of its own laptop batteries — which include cells manufactured by Sony — because they could potentially overheat and spark a fire. The Dell recall was the largest consumer electronics recall ever.

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19 Comments

gmac

said about 17 years ago

The details are not in yet, but CNN is reporting that Apple is recalling 1.1 million laptop batteries.

meelash

said about 17 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gmac

The details are not in yet, but CNN is reporting that Apple is recalling 1.1 million laptop batteries.

Dammit! You just beat me to it! And doesn't that AP report conflict with AI's story?

EDIT: Maybe CNN's got it mixed up?

timmmy

said about 17 years ago

I just saw on MSNBC tv that Apple is recalling batteries from the iBook G4. Is that a new recall or is it the same as the https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html issue pertaining to LG batteries?

bdkennedy1

said about 17 years ago

Yeah were did you get that story? Apple just recalled them

kasper

said about 17 years ago

ok -- they are recalling G4 notebook batteries, not macbook pro:

Apple Announces Recall of Batteries Used in Previous iBook and PowerBook Computers Due To Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries with cells manufactured by Sony for certain previous iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 notebook computers only.

Units: About 1.1 million battery packs (an additional 700,000 battery packs were sold outside the U.S.)

Battery Cell Manufacturer: Sony Energy Devices Corp., of Japan

Computer Manufacturer: Apple Computer Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.

Hazard: These lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Apple has received nine reports of batteries overheating, including two reports of minor burns from handling overheated computers and other reports of minor property damage. No serious injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled lithium-ion batteries were used with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4. Consumers should remove the battery from the computer to view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the unit.

Computer model name\tBattery model number\tBattery serial numbers
12-inch iBook G4\tA1061\tZZ338 through ZZ427
3K429 through 3K611
6C510 through 6C626
12-inch PowerBook G4\tA1079\tZZ411 through ZZ427
3K428 through 3K611
15-inch PowerBook G4\tA1078 and A1148\t3K425 through 3K601
6N530 through 6N551
6N601
No other Apple notebook computers are involved in this recall.
Sold Through: Apple?s online store, Apple retail stores nationwide, and Apple Authorized Resellers from October 2003 through August 2006 for between $900 and $2300. The batteries also were sold separately for about $130.

Assembled in: Japan, Taiwan and China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery from their iBook or PowerBook, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives.

Consumer Contact: : Contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday or log on to Apple?s Web site at http://support.apple.com/batteryprogram to check the battery?s serial number and request a replacement battery.