Apple recalls 128,000 iBook, Powerbook batteries

The batteries, made by LG Chem, can short, causing the battery cells to overheat, said the CSPC.

Apple has received six reports worldwide of batteries overheating, the watchdog said.

The batteries are present in the 12-inch iBook G4, the 12-inch Powerbook G4 and the 15-inch Powerbook G4, the CSPC said.

The batteries that have a problem have the following model numbers and serial number ranges.

12-inch iBook G4 A1061 HQ441 - HQ507
12-inch PowerBook G4 A1079 3X446 - 3X510
15-inch PowerBook G4 A1078 3X446 - 3X509

Only machines with these serial numbers are involved, and consumers should remove the battery to check the numbers.

The particular batteries were for sale between October 2004 through to May of this year, either fitted in machines or sold separately.

Consumers are being told to stop using the batteries immediately and to contact Apple for a free replacement.

Apple has set up a help page here. µ