By James Wells

SYDNEY: Apple Australia has announced that like Dell, it is also a victim of faulty Sony batteries which may catch fire and have now caused the two largest consumer electronics recalls in US history.

According to a statement from Apple Australia, none of the company’s Intel-based notebooks are affected by the recall – only certain models of previously released iBooks and PowerBooks.

“Apple has discovered that some Sony batteries in previous models of PowerPC-based iBooks and PowerBooks do not meet Apple’s standards for safety and performance,” the company said.

“Our number one priority is to recall and replace the affected batteries free of charge.

“We do not anticipate this recall to have a material financial impact on Apple.”

According to a notice issued by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC), consumers should stop using the products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The recall applies to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with cells manufactured by Sony Energy Devices Corp and assembled in Japan, Taiwan and China for certain iBook G4 and Powerbook G4 notebook computers only.

Approximately 1.1 million battery packs were sold in North America through Apple’s online store, Apple retail stores and Apple authorized resellers from October 2003 until this month in computers that retailed for between $US900 and $US2,300. The batteries were sold separately for $US130.

An additional 700,000 battery packs were sold outside the United States.

According to the US CPSC, consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery from their iBook or PowerBook, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives.

Apple Australia has advised that complete details regarding the exchange program can be found at https://support.apple.com/ibook_powerbook/batteryexchange