Apple Computer Inc. (Washington) has issued a battery recall order with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for its consumer-level iBook and professional PowerBook lines of portable computers. The recall will affect approximately 128,000 units in the US. Apple is recalling the batteries because of an internal short that could cause the battery cells to overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple said it has received six reports worldwide of batteries overheating, including two reports in the US.
The recalled lithium-ion batteries are used with the following models: 12 in. iBook G4s, 12 in. PowerBook G4s and 15 in. PowerBook G4s. The recalled batteries include those with model numbers A1061, A1078 and A1079 and serial numbers that begin with HQ441 through HQ507 or 3X446 through 3X510. Owners can view their serial number by removing the battery from the computer -- the number is on the bottom of the unit.
Apple and the CPSC recommend removing the battery immediately and no longer using it. Apple is providing free replacement batteries to those affected by the recall. No other PowerBook or iBook batteries are involved in this recall.
