CNN: Apple recalls 1.8 million laptop batteries (Virgin Atlantic Bans Dell, Apple)

[Womball]

I think they use the same batteries as the Dell recalls. Sony made Lithium Ion, manafacturing process defect.

[CaptainObvious]

My battery is almost a year old, and I get a new one free-of-charge? Gee, thanks! :D

[Fredl]

These are old model computers with old model batteries. Lithium ion batteries are in liquid state so are dangerous and might explode.

The MacBooks and MacBook Pros are safe because they use a different battery consisting of a solid polymer substrate which is solid and more stable.

If you look through the specifications of the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros, you can see they use the solid Lithium Polymer batteries.

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs.html

[Crazy Max]

This is good news for me as my g4 powerbook battery no longer holds a charge and I was going to pay for a new one anyway.

[almux]

This is also a very good time for Apple to propose this replacement... In a marketing point of view, how many people will just think about changing their "old" iBook or PowerBook for a brand new MacBook (pro)?
At least, for me, this would be a kick to go for it.

[Jadetiger]

I'm seeing a pattern here. I'm going to stay away from new laptops for a while.

[deadplant155]

I'm seeing a pattern here. I'm going to stay away from new laptops for a while.

the only flaw with that plan of course is that these problems were in old laptops, the majority of which [something like 4 million] were dell, not apple. Sony manufactured these defective batteries, new laptops don't have this problem.

[almux]

the only flaw with that plan of course is that these problems were in old laptops, the majority of which [something like 4 million] were dell, not apple. Sony manufactured these defective batteries, new laptops don't have this problem.
Right. Only in some G4 iBooks and PowerBooks.
New machines have none of these.

[Fredl]

I'm seeing a pattern here. I'm going to stay away from new laptops for a while.
As I said, the new models have solid Polymer batteries, which are much safer. This recall is for older models that had liquid ion batteries.

[sheppyboy2000]

The bigger question is this.

Apple and Dell are both losing face because of this recall (although, recalls of this nature should be applauded. Knowing the problem exists and ignoring it is a much bigger crime). Both are because of Sony batteries. Will Sony lose any face because of this? I mean, the hardcore tech followers know what's up but what about grade-a clueless students or trendies? Will they associate this with Sony or Dell and Apple?

[almux]

The bigger question is this.

Apple and Dell are both losing face because of this recall (although, recalls of this nature should be applauded. Knowing the problem exists and ignoring it is a much bigger crime). Both are because of Sony batteries. Will Sony lose any face because of this? I mean, the hardcore tech followers know what's up but what about grade-a clueless students or trendies? Will they associate this with Sony or Dell and Apple?
Sony is largely quoted in the press... Where journalists have to care is to announce that Apple doesn't uses these batteries since a while...

[rblitz7]

If I got my G4 Powerbook 4 years ago, am I ok?

[CaptainObvious]

If I got my G4 Powerbook 4 years ago, am I ok?
Check your battery model and serial number.

[RobertoOrtiz]

1st Apple Laptop Fire Reported in Japan



Quote:
"Japanese authorities reported Tuesday the first case in Japan of an Apple laptop catching fire and ordered the U.S. company to investigate the trouble involving the faulty Sony batteries and report back within a week.
A laptop made by Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL (http://finance.myway.com/jsp/qt/short.jsp?symbol_search_text=AAPL)) overheated and caught fire in April, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. The user sustained minor burns after the computer caught fire, according to Apple spokeswoman Michiko Matsumoto, who confirmed the case.

">>LINK<< (http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060829/D8JQ16OG0.html)

[maxx10]

to check if your ibook or pbook battery is defective:

https://support.apple.com/ibook_powerbook/batteryexchange/index.html

good luck, mine isn't :thumbsup:

[RobertoOrtiz]

Japan orders Apple battery probe (http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/08/29/japan.apple.ap/index.html)


Japanese authorities reported Tuesday the first case of an Apple laptop catching fire in Japan and ordered the U.S. company to investigate the trouble involving the faulty Sony batteries and report back within a week.

>>LINK<< (http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/08/29/japan.apple.ap/index.html)

-R

[JMulder]

Japanese authorities reported Tuesday the first case of an Apple laptop catching fire in Japan and ordered the U.S. company to investigate the trouble involving the faulty Sony batteries and report back within a week.


So, if they know the problem is in the Sony batteries and Apple has performed due diligence by recalling the affected batteries, why doesn't Japan just walk across the street and demand a report from Sony?

Could this be a case of 'not in my backyard'?

[P_T]

Sony and Dell also have been ordered to report on their findings after the recall was announced by the ministry...

The trade ministry has also instructed other Japanese electronic makers to check the safety of their laptop batteries...There ya go. :)

[JMulder]

There ya go. :)

Fair enough :)

[RobertoOrtiz]

Quote:
"Virgin Atlantic Airlines announced yesterday that passengers with any Dell or Apple laptop will not be allowed to use a battery while on the flight.
The announcement, posted on Virgin’s website, said that Passengers may carry on the laptop itself, but batteries must be properly wrapped and stowed away in carry-on for the duration of the flight. However, the airline provided no details as to what proper wrapping entails. For those who wish to use a laptop while on the plane, Virgin plans to provide power adapters on flights where outlets are available.

Virgin’s new laptop policies aren’t without inconsistencies, though. While the Sony battery recalls applied only to certain models of Apple and Dell laptops, Virgin has disallowed all laptops of these brands from being used with batteries on their flights. Apple and Dell are currently in negotiations with Virgin to lift the ban on their laptops, which Virgin intends to do once battery woes are resolved. Also, Virgin will allow battery-equipped laptops to be stowed away in luggage, which seems to pose some comparable degree of threat compared to powered-on laptops on board. "


>>LINK<< (http://techfreep.com/virgin-atlantic-bans-dell-apple-laptops.htm)

-R

[RobertoOrtiz]

Test test one

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