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Apple Australia issues battery recall notice

Apple Australia is recalling some computer batteries used for PowerBook G4 notebooks following the US recall of the lithium ion rechargeable batteries.The company is now implementing a battery exchange program in Australia in cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities.
Written by Kristyn Maslog-Levis, Contributor
Apple Australia is recalling some computer batteries used for PowerBook G4 notebooks following the US recall of the lithium ion rechargeable batteries.

The company is now implementing a battery exchange program in Australia in cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities.

The batteries, which were sold from January 2004 to August 2004 and manufactured by LG Chem of South Korea, have a short circuit inside which make them overheat, posing a fire hazard for users.

Although no injuries have been reported so far, Apple Australia is urging customers to stop using the batteries and order a replacement as soon as possible.

To begin the battery exchange process, consumers will be asked for the serial number of their 15-inch PowerBook G4, the serial number of the PowerBook battery and a "ship to" address.

After serial number verification, a new battery will be shipped to the user within 3 to 5 days free of charge. Consumers are then asked to use the shipping envelope provided and include a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery to Apple.

So far, 28,000 units are being recalled worldwide. However, Apple Australia cannot disclose on how much the recall would cost locally, saying they "do not break down the numbers regionally."

Four cases of overheating have also been reported around the world but Apple Australia cannot confirm if there have been any reports of overheating PowerBook G4 batteries in the country.

Apple Australia is currently sending out letters to owners who have registered their systems or purchased equipment through the online store in Australia and New Zealand to notify them of the battery recall.

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

Only batteries with the affected serial number will be replaced. Apple said no other PowerBook or iBook batteries are part of the recall.

John Spooner contributed to this report

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