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Apple Recalls 1.8 Million Batteries

SpaceMagic said:
Mine IS affected but the site is down! So annoying!
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Doesn't matter. I think the script they were using was broken anyway. I tried to enter my affected serial number a bunch of ways and it wouldn't accept it. My guess is that they took the site down to fix the issue.

Or it could be because the story hit the front page of Digg :)

-Mike
 
There seem to be varying reports of the serial numbers affected, and Apple's site seems dead right now. I'm hoping my battery IS affected, because I was getting close to ordering a new battery, as my year-and three month old battery is down to 25% of it's original capacity after 440 load cycles.

The site was up briefly and claimed 4-6 weeks for the new battery to ship. That's a LONG time to go without a battery.
 
SpaceMagic said:
Mine IS affected but the site is down! So annoying!

Kinda happy though, my battery isn't going that strong anymore.. coconutbattery reports 85%
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You know, that 85 percent ain't all that bad. I've got the 14" iBook from that revision, and I'm at 87 percent. Considering that the batteries are supposed to last a year and a half - so says Apple - so that should mean we should be closer to 75 percent.
 
mostman said:
Doesn't matter. I think the script they were using was broken anyway. I tried to enter my affected serial number a bunch of ways and it wouldn't accept it. My guess is that they took the site down to fix the issue.

Or it could be because the story hit the front page of Digg :)

-Mike
Click to expand...

Yea, the page is probably digg****ed as well as being destroyed by MacRumors, AppleInsider, Engadget, TUAW, Think Secret, Slashdot, etc.
 
Recall Instructions

FINALLY got through on the phone to APPLECARE and talked to Brett after being on hold for 25 minutes, he said the site and their phone lines are getting hit HARD right now, and that the site will be back up in one hour.

So until then lets be patient and think about those BRAND NEW BATTERIES we'll be getting at Sony's expense (of course, keep a fire extinguisher and a bottle of vodka in your backpack just in case.)

Take Care macheads :)
 
didn't see this mentioned- but I guess there are 1.1 million in US and 700,000 abroad so that of course totals the 1.8 mentioned on some reports.

So now we know exactly why apple didn't post their own link yet- site can't handle 1.8 million hits at once huh?:D
 
Cameront9 said:
There seem to be varying reports of the serial numbers affected, and Apple's site seems dead right now. I'm hoping my battery IS affected, because I was getting close to ordering a new battery, as my year-and three month old battery is down to 25% of it's original capacity after 440 load cycles.

The site was up briefly and claimed 4-6 weeks for the new battery to ship. That's a LONG time to go without a battery.
Click to expand...

Yea, but they send you the new one while you use the old one. And considering the capacity of your old battery, you probably live off the power adapter a lot anyway.

And they've probably got to manufacture a bunch of new batteries for this.
 
The site just loaded for me and it appears Apple made it pretty streamlined for the moment. No fancy tables or anything. Just a page.
 
In other news, the Dell recall will cost Sony up to $430m. If all batteries are going at the same rate, Apple & Dell could cost Sony $619m. Add in what Sony will lose on its own machines...I'm guessing close to $1b. That would wipe out almost an entire year of profits (estimated at 130b Yen or $1,116,119,303). They may be screwed.
 
Yay. New battery for me. Do they really expect us to leave the battery out until then. It's been in there for a year and a half, just seems silly.

Seems like all 1.8 million people are triying to load the page just like me...
 
Can anyone verify which serials are the right ones? The press release and the Apple site differed (before it died). I'm in the press release range, not the Apple range. :confused:
 
nbs2 said:
They may be screwed.
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Maybe.....that softly spoken. They are screwed. Sony can't be too happy at this time. Delays in launching products, new product acceptance less than stellar, and while Consumer Electronics was doing a little better than past years, this is setting them back. Hopefully they will learn a lesson and do some more R&D next time.
 
Warbrain said:
Yea, but they send you the new one while you use the old one. And considering the capacity of your old battery, you probably live off the power adapter a lot anyway.

And they've probably got to manufacture a bunch of new batteries for this.
Click to expand...


They say you are NOT supposed to use the old battery but instead remove it live off the power adaptor which sucks for me! But much better than burns you know where!$#@#!:eek: :eek:
 
My wife loved this announcement seeing as she has been complaining about the decreased battery life in our 12 inch PB lately.

durvivor said:
I for one salute Apple in its efforts to ensure a safe computing environment.

And, my salute has NOTHING to do with the fact that my 18 month old and very used iBook battery currently only holds a 10 minutes charge.

:) :) :)

Crossing my fingers I have an unsafe battery...
Click to expand...
 
Cameront9 said:
There seem to be varying reports of the serial numbers affected, and Apple's site seems dead right now. I'm hoping my battery IS affected, because I was getting close to ordering a new battery, as my year-and three month old battery is down to 25% of it's original capacity after 440 load cycles.

The site was up briefly and claimed 4-6 weeks for the new battery to ship. That's a LONG time to go without a battery.
Click to expand...

don't worry 'bout that. they will send you a new one and then you return the battery - at least they did it this way with my battery..
 
From Apple's site so you all stop clicking on it...

Battery Exchange Program iBook G4 and PowerBook G4

Apple has determined that certain lithium-ion batteries containing cells manufactured by Sony Corporation of Japan pose a safety risk that may result in overheating under rare circumstances.

The affected batteries were sold worldwide from October 2003 through August 2006 for use with the following notebook computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4.

Apple is voluntarily recalling the affected batteries and has initiated a worldwide exchange program to provide eligible customers with a new replacement battery, free of charge. This program is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities.

Identifying your battery

Please use the chart below to identify the battery model and serial numbers that apply to your iBook or PowerBook. If the first 5 digits of your battery’s 12-digit serial number fall within the noted ranges, please order a replacement battery immediately.

To view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the battery, you must remove the battery from the computer. The battery serial number is printed in black or dark grey lettering beneath a barcode. See photos below.

Computer model : 12-inch iBook G4
Battery model number: A1061
Serial number range: ZZ338 - ZZ427, 3K429 - 3K611, 6C519 - 6C552

Computer model : 12-inch PowerBook G4
Battery model number: A1079
Serial number range: ZZ411 - ZZ427, 3K428 - 3K611

Computer model : 15-inch PowerBook G4
Battery model number: A1078 and A1148
Serial number range: 3K425 - 3K601, 6N530 - 6N551, 6N601

The Exchange Process

To begin the battery exchange process, you will be asked for the serial number of your iBook G4 or PowerBook G4, the serial number of your battery and a shipping address.

Customers in Australia and Asia (excluding Japan) should contact their local Apple Authorized Service Provider to obtain a replacement battery.

After serial number verification, a new battery will be shipped to you, free of charge. When you receive the replacement battery, please use the same shipping packaging and included prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery to Apple for proper disposal.

Note: If your battery serial number does not match any of the ranges listed above, you do not have to exchange your battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where do I find the serial number of my iBook or PowerBook?
A. The PowerBook serial number is located on the side of the battery well in the top left corner. The iBook serial number is located underneath the keyboard. Or, you can use Apple System Profiler to confirm your serial number.

Q. How long will it take to receive a replacement battery from Apple?
A. It may take up to 4 to 6 weeks for your replacement battery to arrive. Shipping time may vary due to availability of your battery model.

Q. Can I use my computer without the battery in it?
A. Yes, once you've removed the affected battery, just plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives.

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.
 
Ok, my earlier exclamation may have been premature. I'm also having problems - the battery for my 12" PB is in the range on both the press release and the apple support site, but when I put all the numbers in, it says "no mate" - seems a lot of people are getting this?
 
flyfish29 said:
They say you are NOT supposed to use the old battery but instead remove it live off the power adaptor which sucks for me! But much better than burns you know where!$#@#!:eek: :eek:
Click to expand...

The odds of the thing blowing up on your are slim. How many laptops have actually blown up? Not as many as some people think. All these companies are just trying to cover their asses and avoid lawsuits.
 
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