Apple to recall 28,000 laptop batteries

Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON: Apple Computer Inc. has agreed to recall about 28,000 batteries used in its 15-inch PowerBook G4 laptop computers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday.

The batteries, made by LG Chem. Ltd. of South Korea, could overheat and pose a fire hazard, the CPSC said.

"Apple is not financially responsible for this recall," Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said.

Apple has received four reports of overheating though no injuries have been reported, the consumer protection agency said.

The recall affects laptops sold since January, which contain batteries made during the last week of December 2003 only.

The batteries have the model number A1045 and serial numbers that begin with HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407 or HQ408.

Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple at 800 275-2273 or (http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/batteryexchange), the CPSC said.