1.8 million batteries recalled by Apple

Just ten days after Dell Inc. made a recall of a record-setting 4.1 million batteries from the market, Apple Computer had to do the same with 1.8 million of its note-book batteries. The problem involved in both the cases is the same. The batteries supplied by Sony were liable to get overheated and catch fire.

Apple had sold 1.1 million notebooks with affected batteries in the U.S. and another 0.7 million in other parts of the world. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission the lithium-ion batteries can get overheated and pose a fire hazard.

Apple has received nine reports of battery packs overheating, including two cases in which users suffered minor burns. There have been instances of minor property damage. No serious injuries have been reported.

The company has advised the consumers to stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. The rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries with cells were manufactured for certain previous notebook computers only.

The batteries were made by Sony Energy Devices Corp. of Japan. In a statement, Sony said the problems arise on rare occasions when microscopic metal particles in the recalled battery cells hit other parts of the cell and lead to a short circuit. The recalls from the two companies are expected to cost Sony between $172 million and $278 million.

The affected series are:

12-inch iBook G4, model #A1061, serial 3K429 through 3K611, 6C510 through 6C626 and ZZ338 through ZZ427

12-inch PowerBook G4, model #A1079, serial ZZ411 through ZZ427, 3K428 through 3K611

15-inch Power Book G4. model #A1078 and #A1148, serial 3K425 through 3K601, 6N530 through 6N551 and 6N601

The recall does not affect Apple's Intel based models, including the MacBook and MacBook Pro.

Apple has asked customers to consult its Web site or call a toll-free hotline to determine whether they have a battery that is covered by the recall. Consumers should contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge.

The news did not seem to bother Apple shareholders as shares of Apple rose 50 cents to $67.81 in NASDAQ Stock Market composite trading. They have fallen 5.7 percent this year.