Apple releases fix for MacBook/MacBook Pro battery problems

After Acer Inc.’s TravelMate and Aspire brand notebook PCs that recently faced the lithium ion battery crises, it seems as if dark clouds are now hovering over Apple Inc.’s MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers.

Apple on Friday announced that the batteries embedded inside these machines may have performance problems, but MacBook and MacBook Pro owners should not get alarmed because these batteries do not pose a safety risk.

The computer maker said instead of overheating and exploding, the problems with affected batteries include not charging when the computer is plugged into an outlet. "The issues are not a safety risk, so consumers can continue using their batteries," the company said in a statement.

MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks containing the affected batteries were sold worldwide between February 2006 and April 2007, Cupertino, California based Apple said.

In order to enable people charge their batteries properly, Apple has issued a software update designed to improve battery performance. Users can upload the battery update software on their MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks that will improve battery performance.

If the problem still persists, users can take their machines with its battery to their local Apple Retail Store, or contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), or call your local Apple Support Contact Center.

And, if Apple or an AASP determines that the battery is eligible for replacement, user will receive a new battery, free of charge, even if his/her MacBook or MacBook Pro is out of warranty, Apple said on its Website.

Apple has mentioned some symptoms on its Website to identify an affected battery. The battery with the problem will have one or more of the following symptoms: 1. Battery is not recognized causing an “X” to appear in the battery icon in the Finder menu bar. 2. Battery will not charge when computer is plugged into AC power. 3. Battery exhibits low charge capacity/runtime when using a fully charged battery with a battery cycle count (as shown in System Profiler) of less than 300. 4. Battery pack is visibly deformed.

The electronics giant said if the battery does not have any of the above mentioned symptoms, then it does not need to be replaced. Apple added that it has also extended the battery warranty on notebooks with Core Duo processors to up to two years from the date of purchase, apparently trying to keep good faith with customers.

Similar to other leading notebook manufacturers, Apple's portable computers use high performance lithium ion batteries. Last year, Dell, Apple, Lenovo, Toshiba and other PC makers were forced to recall notebooks using Sony-made Lithium-ion batteries after it came to light that a flaw in Sony's manufacturing process could lead to short circuits, sparks or fire.

As a result Dell, which had the most highly publicized incidents of notebook battery issues, recalled over 4.1 million laptop batteries in the largest computer related recall to that point in history. Following suit, Apple Inc., Toshiba, Lenovo and IBM recalled 1.8 million, 34,0000 and 52,6000 Sony laptop batteries respectively in September 2006.

The problematic lithium-ion batteries were related to overheat and catching fire hazards in the Dell and Apple cases, whereas Toshiba clarified that batteries were prone to failing regardless of how carefully it is used, but did not say it had anything to do with overheating or fire hazards.

Recently, Acer Inc. has joined the battery recall forces. Acer’s U.S. division, which is based in San Jose, last week announced a recall of 27000 Sony made Lithium Ion notebook batteries. Acer America said that the problem has occurred in Acer TravelMate and Aspire brand notebook PCs sold in the U.S. and Canada from May 2004 through November 2006.

After igniting the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II, the Cupertino, California-based Apple reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Continuing with its tendency of revolutions, Apple is leading the industry with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. In digital music segment, it is moving ahead with its iPod portable music players, iTunes online store and most recent its upcoming much-hyped, iPhone.

Despite the issues, the MacBook range of laptops has been very successful for Apple, and the strong sales of the machines recently helped Apple sales soar to $5.2bn in the first three months of 2007. Apple said it does not expect the battery update to have a material impact on earnings.