Apple Computer and the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced the recall of the lithium ion batteries installed in 128,000 PowerBook and iBook laptop computers. Also recalled were some batteries (sold by Apple or its dealers) that were replacement or supplementary batteries for the effected computers. There have been six reports of batteries seriously overheating, which may pose a fire hazard. Apple is asking owners of these computers to cease using the batteries immediately, remove them from the computers, run the computers with the AC adapter, and contact Apple for a free replacement. Apple has posted a recall link at the bottom of its website at www.apple.com. According to the website, the battery exchange can not be done through its retail dealers, but must be done through the Apple website.

Recalled in this action were the batteries installed in all 12 inch and 15 inch PowerBook G4, and the12 inch iBook G4 sold between October 2004 and May 2005. The batteries were manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd, of South Korea, and have model numbers A1061, A1078 and A1079. The recalled batteries have serial numbers in the ranges HQ441 - HQ507, 3X446 -3X509 and 3X446 - 3X510.

This is the second such recall from Apple in the last 12 months. In 2004, Apple recalled the Lithium Ion batteries installed in some 15 inch PowerBook G4 computers, also manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd. These batteries were subject to overheating, and posed a fire risk. These batteries were originally installed in aluminum cased 15 inch PowerBooks, with the battery model number A1045, with battery serial numbers beginning with HQ404 through HQ408. Computers with these recalled batteries were sold between January and August 2004.

Apple is offering a free replacement battery in both recalls.

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