What is going on with laptop batteries these days? Last week, Dell Inc. said it was recalling 4.1 million batteries from its line of laptop PC models. Today, Apple Computer announced it will join the campaign by recalling 1.8 million similar batteries made by Sony Energy Devices Corp. And the list of potentially affected manufacturers has not been exhausted. Other major computer vendors, such as Hewlett-Packard Co. and Lenovo Group Ltd., have not been heard from yet.
In a press release earlier today, Sony said: "Today, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Apple Computer announced a voluntary recall of lithium-ion battery packs used in certain Apple notebook computers. The recalled packs contain battery cells originally manufactured by Sony." The consumer electronics giant added that it did not anticipate any further recalls of battery packs using the faulty cells would be needed.
The Sony announcement explained that the flaw in the battery cells had been caused by microscopic metal particles that come into contact with other parts of the cell, leading to a short circuit. It noted: "Typically, a battery pack will simply power off when a cell short circuit occurs. However, under certain rare conditions, an internal short circuit may lead to cell overheating and potentially flames. The potential for this to occur can be affected by variations in the system configurations found in different notebook computers."
Reuters reports that Apple's recall comes after nine batteries in its units (either iBook G4's or PowerBook G4's) had overheated "causing minor burns to two users," according to authorities. The Dell recall was prompted by similar safety considerations, after several units erupted in flames. It is the biggest recall in Dell's 22-year history—and one of the largest electronics recalls ever.
Product safety regulators in the U.S. and Japan have announced investigations into the battery problem. And Australian air carrier Qantas has begun to warn passengers against recharging their Dell laptops in flight.
Today's statement from Sony said the company will implement "additional safeguards into its battery manufacturing process to address this condition and to provide a greater level of safety and security." It estimated that costs from the two recalls could amount to 20 to 30 billion yen (about US $170 to $260 million).
BAD, BAD BATTERIES
What is going on with laptop batteries these days? Last week, Dell Inc. said it was recalling 4.1 million batteries from its line of laptop PC models. Today, Apple Computer announced it will join the campaign by recalling 1.8 million similar batteries made by Sony Energy Devices Corp. And the list of potentially affected manufacturers has not been exhausted. Other major computer vendors, such as Hewlett-Packard Co. and Lenovo Group Ltd., have not been heard from yet.
In a press release earlier today, Sony said: "Today, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Apple Computer announced a voluntary recall of lithium-ion battery packs used in certain Apple notebook computers. The recalled packs contain battery cells originally manufactured by Sony." The consumer electronics giant added that it did not anticipate any further recalls of battery packs using the faulty cells would be needed.
The Sony announcement explained that the flaw in the battery cells had been caused by microscopic metal particles that come into contact with other parts of the cell, leading to a short circuit. It noted: "Typically, a battery pack will simply power off when a cell short circuit occurs. However, under certain rare conditions, an internal short circuit may lead to cell overheating and potentially flames. The potential for this to occur can be affected by variations in the system configurations found in different notebook computers."
Reuters reports that Apple's recall comes after nine batteries in its units (either iBook G4's or PowerBook G4's) had overheated "causing minor burns to two users," according to authorities. The Dell recall was prompted by similar safety considerations, after several units erupted in flames. It is the biggest recall in Dell's 22-year history—and one of the largest electronics recalls ever.
Product safety regulators in the U.S. and Japan have announced investigations into the battery problem. And Australian air carrier Qantas has begun to warn passengers against recharging their Dell laptops in flight.
Today's statement from Sony said the company will implement "additional safeguards into its battery manufacturing process to address this condition and to provide a greater level of safety and security." It estimated that costs from the two recalls could amount to 20 to 30 billion yen (about US $170 to $260 million).