Apple recalls 1.8 million faulty batteries
Update: MacMerc reports that Apple has revised the list of batteries affected by the recall. If your battery wasn’t in the list the last time you checked, it may be worth paying the page a visit again.Â
Apple has officially recalled 1.8 million laptop batteries worldwide, following reports of Apple laptops overheating and bursting into flames. The batteries, which are actually manufactured by Sony, are the same ones that have been giving Dell a big headache as well.
Along with the recall, Apple has also announced a worldwide battery exchange programme for affected users. The faulty batteries were included with 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4 models sold between October 2003 through August 2006. If you own one of the above models, you should check the battery recall webpage to determine if you are eligible for the battery exchange.
However, the page has this to say about Australian and Asian Apple users that are affected:
Customers in Australia and Asia (excluding Japan) should contact their local Apple Authorized Service Provider to obtain a replacement battery.
I tried calling up Apple Malaysia but the receptionist didn’t know what I was talking about and they didn’t have a spokesperson I could speak to. Come on Apple Malaysia! So blur meh??
So I called MacAsia and they said that the best thing to do would be to bring your affected laptop, battery and receipt back to the outlet where you purchased the laptop from. If you bought your laptop overseas, you can still bring it into a local reseller but you must have your receipt.
I’ll email Apple Malaysia later for an official response. Watch this space for updates.
Sony: Defective batteries only affect Dell, Apple
Sony, who manufactures laptop batteries for a big number of laptop and PC makers insist that the overheating battery issue is confined to Dell and Apple laptops. For the record, Sony also supplies batteries to HP, Gateway, Acer, Lenovo and of course their own Sony Vaios. This comes from the company who reportedly knew about the faulty batteries since last year, so you’ll excuse me if I’m skeptical.
I hope heads roll at Sony.
14 Comments
I’m affected. Thinking positively, yay, new battery!
OK, I kena jugak! I bought my iBook from MacAsia. It is a bad news to me, if MacAsia insists owners to goto their shop personally. Apple says on the website that we can sit at home and wait for new battery…
I’ve been a happy user of Apple’s products for about eight years now. I have to say, however, that Apple Malaysia and their resellers and service providers (MacAsia, etc), are a little sad. Maybe it’s because the Malaysian market is a little small, but I can’t understand why they don’t seem to know what they’re doing, for instance, your experience with the battery recall. How can Apple Malaysia not be aware of it? And MacAsia is making receipts a requirement? This isn’t only for machines under warranty, but all batteries with the serial numbers stated. So why are they being so difficult?
I guess my frustration with Apple and their resellers and service providers is because of my prior experience. Sales staff that don’t know what they’re talking about, service people who need to be rushed and constantly checked on before they do their job properly, and stores that don’t seem to have any merchandise on stock, or machines on display for interested customers to try and test.
I was just at the 1-Utama store earlier, and there were zero machines for people to play with. Compare that to resellers and Apple Stores abroad, where you all models of Macs and iPods are displayed for you to use, even if you’re actually just there to check e-mail, not buy anything. In KL’s case, how to sell anything like that? I mean, it’s not like Apple’s pricing in Malaysia is particularly favourable, some more the sales and service is so bad.
If I could just add one more thing about Apple Malaysia and their partners:
For example, where is the MacBook? It’s been out elsewhere for months now! It’s such an awesome machine, looks good, and reasonably priced. So why am I not seeing it in displayed in shops? I mean, I’ve seen someone buy one at the Ikano shop that used to be Apple Experience Centre (but is now, whatever you want to experience, including Windows, centre), but there were none in sight. Do I have to be someone who visits Apple.com regularly to know such about the MacBook?
Apple is doing better and better in many countries. It would be a shame if Malaysia isn’t one of them because Apple Malaysia and their service and reseller partners aren’t doing their job properly.
Whoa Brian, slow down man. I feel your pain - all of us do. I guess you can’t blame Apple Malaysia completely. They can’t help it if HQ in the US decides we are an insignificant market. On the other hand, they could be doing a better job here in Malaysia, no questions about it.
Mac Switcher, I’ll update you if Apple Malaysia gets back to me ok. It must be so much more inconvenient for folks out of town.
i checked and I’m not affected. Anyway, the Sony brand has been downhill since their rootkits. Technically, that’s Sony BMG, but who cares, Sony’s still Sony and they are getting bad PR for the past few…. years?
I have an iBook but good thing (or bad news- no new batteries) I’m not affected.
seems a bit harsh to expect the receptionist to know what’s going on the day they announce the battery recall, considering the history Apple has in keeping secrets.
Mine is affected as well, but i called up AppleCare instead and the information is all there. all easy and everything. no need the fuss of complaining so much to people who can’t help me anyways.
besides, all information on how to get batteries replaced is in the apple support website..
https://support.apple.com/ibook_powerbook/batteryexchange/
if you are just too lazy to visit apple’s support website. you can use that link above, otherwise, just go straight to VR Tech in town to exchange batteries…
It’s not that we’re lazy Marcus. Some Mac users like Mac Switcher are out of town and it’s quite a hassle to drive down to hand the battery in, and then drive down again a week later to pick the new battery up.
In any case, Apple Malaysia have not responded to me. Their PR agency has also not got back to me. Dissatisfaction with Apple Malaysia growing…
My powerbook is not affected.
but i have encountered the poor services before at mid valley apple centre.
The sales people seems like lack of knowledge in IT . Whenever i having problems with my powerbook, and consult them, they juz avoid questions n simply give some unreasonable ans.
Recently, my powerbook is spoilt coz cant detect the built in ram. In addition, all my belongings( bag, mouse) have lost when collect from the Ezy warehouse (mid valley centre had closed down)n my powerbook have few scracthes.
I have reported to the HQ but i got no response from them so far.
i was pretty sad for the services in apple malaysia.
Apple people n sales providers r very irresponsible for their act .
i love apple products but i’m losing faith in apple malaysia.
Ouch Fiona, that sucks. Hope you sort out everything soon.
And we all pretty much agree - Apple Malaysia needs to buck up.
affected sony users too, but i haven’t got any news about sony replacing my vaio’s batteries.
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