Slashdot Mirror
Apple Powerbook and iBook Battery Recall
doubleacr writes "The Register is reporting that Apple is recalling batteries in 12 and 15 inch Powerbook and 12 inch iBooks sold between October 2004 and May 2005. Apple has set up a page with info on model number and serial numbers of batteries affected, and also how to get a replacement."
From the article:
"Apple said the risk of combustion was very small. The recall comes after the US Consumer Product Safety Commission received six reports of batteries overheating, two from the US and the rest from around the globe."
Six, man. SIX! And only TWO in the US!
And they're taking what must be a pretty big loss just for the sake of having good business integrity.
I dunno, man. Sounds pretty cool to me.
http://augustwestproducts.i8.com
On the flip side, if they didn't decide on a recall, and someone were to get injured, they'd face a serious liability suit. "You already had six reports of failure, and yet your company did nothing. Your negligence is directly responsible for my disfiguring burns." Not a pretty idea.
Good business practices and fear of lawsuits often yield the same results. Which motivation you choose to ascribe depends mostly on how cynical you are.
"However many laptop power supplies are designed with the assumption that there will be this big battery installed acting as a capacitor."
No, they don't. Li-Ion batteries are destroyed if they are mischarged, and placing the battery in parallel with the power supply would be extremely dangerous. The battery would likely burn and/or explode the first time that it was connected due to overcharging.
Modern laptops have extensive power circuitry to preciscely control the charging cycle of the battery. The battery is never used as "a capacitor". That's what the real capacitors are for.
But to take advantage of something like that would be dishonest unless Sony wanted to replace everyone's 60min battery. Has it occurred to you that if people didn't try and exploit loopholes that policy filling them wouldn't exist and therefor wouldn't get in the way of legitimate problems.
Help I'm a rock.