Apple recalls batteries due to possible fire hazard

[Jay H 237]

As quoted from the article,

"Apple Computer Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall on batteries used in some Apple iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 laptop computers, saying the batteries could overheat and pose a fire hazard to consumers."

Complete article located here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050520/us_nm/tech_apple_recall_dc).

[Greg McCoy]

At first thought, you might think this is a bad thing...but most people involved with this recall are now thinking "Sweet! Free new battery!"

Thanks for spreading the word.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

I suppose this doesn't apply to my iPod. It's battery is crapping out on me. It's sad. It won't even hold a charge for 4-5 hours. And I just got it in March while at the the Midwest Regional. I think I'll execute the warranty. Man... all of my electronics are crapping out on me. BUT I STILL LOVE APPLE!

/edit: I just remembered that my 1 year old HP laptop. It has burnt my lap!! And my power cord melted directly into the powersource. Is that natural? NO!

[Ian Curtis]

Hmm I wonder if this also applies to Maines laptop program.

[dubious elise]

Frankly, I'm surprised that it took this long, Apple is usually very prompt in response to issues like this. I remember MacAddict focusing one of their monthly videos on an attempt to fry an egg atop a running Powerbook G4 because the testers had reported the case getting so hot :yikes:

[evulish]

At first thought, you might think this is a bad thing...but most people involved with this recall are now thinking "Sweet! Free new battery!"


Yeah, I was rather sad when my laptop wasn't included in the recall!!

[Greg McCoy]

If your iPod battery is crapping out on you (like mine is right now), there are several online sources which sell replacement batteries for a very reasonable price. I think I'm going to try this one out pretty soon for my third gen iPod:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=6943&Item=NWTIPOD8503

And the review:
http://ipodlounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/newer-technology-nupower-ipod-replacement-batteries-ipod/

[Adam Y.]

If your iPod battery is crapping out on you (like mine is right now), there are several online sources which sell replacement batteries for a very reasonable price. I think I'm going to try this one out pretty soon for my third gen iPod:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=6943&Item=NWTIPOD8503

And the review:
http://ipodlounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/newer-technology-nupower-ipod-replacement-batteries-ipod/
Better be careful. I just heard of the first confirmed report of an Ipod's battery exploding after it went through the wash. I never thought that would happen with any product from a reputable company.

[Adam Y.]

thanks for scaring me now Im not going to touch my ipod my weekend is really sucking lately :(
Well to be honest it sounds like the guy poked and proded the battery with a screwdriver. It would be no differnt than shorting a screwdriver across the terminals of the batteries you find in FIRST.(just bigger sparks) Remember, good batteries generally don't catch on fire unless you do something weird.

[Greg McCoy]

Yeah! And Chevy shouldn't make cars where the gas tank can blow up if you drop a match down the gas cap! :p

Seriously though, Adam raises a good point. There's always some risk in cheap batteries, but I think this is a reputable source. I've heard of cell phones exploding and injuring people when cheap aftermarket replacement batteries were used. As always on the Internet, caveat emptor.

[evulish]

1 reported battery explosion out of the millions of iPods sold? I wouldn't be too worried. Even if you just figure the previous quarter's iPod sales (5,000,000 sold), I'd be more worried about getting struck by lightning right after winning the lottery. :p