Dell, Apple notebook batteries linked

The world's largest personal computer maker, Dell Inc., announced yesterday that it would recall 4.1 million notebook computer batteries with cells made by Sony Corp. The recall is the largest in Dell's consumer electronics history.

Dell has identified a potential issue associated with certain batteries sold with Dell Latitude(TM), Inspiron(TM), XPS(TM) and Dell Precision Mobile Workstation(TM) notebook computers. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies, Dell is voluntarily recalling certain Dell-branded batteries with cells manufactured by Sony and offering free replacements for these batteries.  Under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could pose a risk of fire.

MacFixIt has inferred that the recalled Dell batteries could be the same Sony batteries are the same as those used by Apple in the MacBook Pro:

Several news outlets reporting the recall have also noted that the same Sony batteries were used by Apple. In fact, Channel NewsAsia reports "A spokeswoman said Apple was looking into the issue." This leads to speculation that the same faulty components were shipped with some MacBook Pros.

On July 31, 2006 Apple implemented their own battery exchange program for some MacBook Pro batteries shipped from February through May 2006. The company has not confirmed whether they use the same Sony cells as Dell in their MacBook and MacBook Pro.