Apple Computer is recall 1.8 million lithium-ion notebook computer batteries after nine devices overheated, causing minor burns to two users, US safety regulators said yesterday evening.
The recall is the second-biggest in US history involving electronics or computers. Just last week, No. 1 PC maker Dell recalled 4.1 million lithium-ion batteries. In both cases, the batteries had power cells made by Sony.
Apple, like Dell, said it did not expect any 'material' financial impact on its business.
Sony said in a separate statement that it did not anticipate further recalls of batteries using the potentially faulty cells. The Japanese electronics company said the Apple and Dell recalls would cost Sony between 20 billion yen and 30 billion yen - or $172-to $258m.
California-based Apple will recall 1.1 million batteries sold with notebook computers in the US and 700,000 abroad, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
The batteries were sold with Apple iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 computers from October 2003 through this month, according to the safety commission. None of Apple's most recent notebooks using microprocessors from Intel are affected.
Apple had said last week after the Dell recall that it was reviewing its notebook batteries to ensure they met its standards.
Analysts noted that in Apple's case there were no reported notebook fires, while several of the recalled Dell computers had erupted in flames. Dell said it had reports of six batteries overheating, but no injuries were reported.
