Apple Recalls 1.8 Million Batteries

[Spectrum]

Seems pointless trying to do anything about it immediately. My PB serial number and battery serial numbers match the list, but I get:

"This computer serial number is not eligible for the Battery Exchange Program."

and

"This serial number is invalid or does not qualify for the program."

Looks like they need to fix the site.

 

[_Matt]

THERE IS A GOD! I WIN! I WIN!

Wow. This is fantastic. A free new battery. I was just on the phone with AppleCare the other day trying to force them to give me a new one. My current battery is at 9% capacity, giving me only 10 minutes of battery life.

This made my day.

 

[Lgreer]

Sony...

Has anyone else noticed that Sony is a horrible, horrible company?
Ridiculous proprietary formats.
Offensive ad campaigns.
Rootkits in their cd's.
Blueray outrageous copy protection.
Now exploding batteries?
If I can help it, I will never knowingly buy a Sony product again.

 

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

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.

Not to mention the 200 dollars they're going to be losing on each PS3 they sell....

 

[iGary]

Really?

iGary has an Apple product that's slightly dodgy?

You do surprise me!

Ha!

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[simon-says]

It seems as if though Apple has changed the serial numbers that are effected.

Uh oh there is a 15" macbook pro exchange too

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

 

[baleensavage]

Bad day for Apple. Worse day for Sony. Seriously though, Sony just needs to realize that hot electronics are not good. Playstation 2's have always had problems overheating and now Sony's laptop batteries are blowing up. And think, the new Sony Playstation 3s have a souped up G5 (Cell) chip in them. You should be able to barbecue on those things! It plays games, blu-ray disks and cooks your breakfast!

 

[amac4me]

How to determine the model number:

 

[nighthawk]

About a year ago, my PowerBook G4 12" had a battery recall. Now I go to the website to check my replacement battery, and it appears to fall into the range of the recall again. However, I tried entering my information in the website and the form rejected the battery serial number even though I double-checked that it was within the range.

Now the website appears to be down (cannot connect, no timeout or anything).

 

[thworple]

Thanks to all you guys who have put up the relevant info. Couldn't log onto the aforementioned Apple support site, so you've been very helpful.

Fortunately I haven't been affected, but I do offer the best of luck to those that are. Not in the sense that you might catch fire, just in the waiting game sense!

 

[macridah]

Apple's having a bad day.

Creative and now this.

sony and creative are on my bad list right now and will be for a long time.

 

[bryanc]

Looks like a free battery for me

But Apple's server is getting hammered right now... I got through to print out the affected serial numbers, then powered down my AlBook, just to be safe, popped out the battery to see if I had a lucky number, and now that I know I do, I can't get back onto the site.

Oh well. I'll try again later.

One thing I wonder about is what the consequences of keeping the 'dangerous' battery as a back-up would be... I'm not really worried about it exploding, but will the Apple police come after me for not returning the old battery once they ship me a new one? Obviously, it would be my own fault if my laptop exploded when using the old battery, but I'm willing to take that risk.

Cheers

 

[LaMerVipere]

Ugh, this is going to give my PC-loving friends fuel for YEARS. Just like every little crap article that comes out about ANY possible Apple security problem.

The taunts are already pouring in! "Ha! Ha! The shoe is on the other foot now!" "Oh how the tables do turn!" "Guess you can't act all high and mighty NOW, huh?" "Intel chips and now exploding batteries? Where do I sign up for a Dell—I mean, Mac again?"

AHH!!!

 

[Teddy's]

I am so confused.
I will check my old PBG4 which should be travelling somewhere in the world... If it needs replacement then it's ok.
So, I will sit still for the next 2 months, call apple care after that and relax.

Apple care = Worry Free

Ironic how the Sony Handycams had that "Worry Free" ad in their batteries.

 

[mckvakk]

Yay, i get a new battery

 

[bbrosemer]

Come on this is purley sony's fault... what else is new...

 

[bartelby]

Poo!
I thought I might get a nice new battery.

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! It BURNS, it BURNS!

Oh, I thought I had an affected computer but don't. Was just practicing.

Nice for the thousands who have had no problems with their battery but get a new one after a year or more of use.

Ugh, this is going to give my PC-loving friends fuel for YEARS.

Bud, you've got enough fuel on PC folks for dozens of CENTURIES so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[pocketrockets]

I'm so confused. My 15" G4 does match the battery model no, 1078. But, the serial number is no where close. Mine starts with W! Where in the world did they get 3xxxx??? Thanks.

 

[ricgnzlzcr]

It would be so awesome if this computer burst up in flames! I'm sure I would get a brand spankin' new macbook pro for my troubles.

 

[shawnce]

I'm so confused. My 15" G4 does match the battery model no, 1078. But, the serial number is no where close. Mine starts with W! Where in the world did they get 3xxxx??? Thanks.

Then your battery is not subject to the recall. The model number is specific to a type of battery while each battery produced gets a unique serial number. Looking at the serial number Apple can tell if your battery came from Sony and when it was manufactured (in this case the leading few digits of the serial number is enough).

 

[pocketrockets]

Well then I hope they change it and recall more. Because even though my serial # doesnt match, my computer still burns up AND I'm only getting 2.5 hrs on a full charge.

 

[Silencio]

Ugh, this is going to give my PC-loving friends fuel for YEARS. Just like every little crap article that comes out about ANY possible Apple security problem.

If that's true, strongly consider getting some new friends. The previous huge Dell battery recall should be enough to shut them up, at the very least.

I guess I hit the "jackpot": both my 12" Powerbook and 12" iBook battery fall within the recall parameters. Will have to wait for Apple to fix their site so the serial numbers actually work. I uselessly spent about 25 minutes on the phone with AppleCare for no good result: they said try the web site later or call again tomorrow.

I will also have to go to all of my clients and check their batteries. A tedious enough task, but more billable hours for me, I guess.

 

[Cameront9]

I'm so confused. My 15" G4 does match the battery model no, 1078. But, the serial number is no where close. Mine starts with W! Where in the world did they get 3xxxx??? Thanks.

Are you sure you're looking at the Battery's serial number? My Powerbook's number starts with a W, but the battery starts with 3K...etc.

 

[pocketrockets]

Are you sure you're looking at the Battery's serial number? My Powerbook's number starts with a W, but the battery starts with 3K...etc.

Yeah, low and behold my battery still starts with a W. If I didn't have battery issues I wouldn't be complaining. But as of now my computer doesn't qualify but I DO in fact have battery issues.