Two weeks after the largest product recall in consumer electronics history comes the second-largest product recall in consumer electronics history, as Apple Computer has recalled 1.8 million Sony-manufactured laptop computer batteries that can overheat and catch fire. At least two owners of the affected computers have received minor burns from the batteries, with further reports of some property damage.

Two weeks ago, Dell made the record-setting recall of 4.1 million notebook computers when consumers reported that the same Sony-manufactured batteries were catching fire. At that time, Apple said it was investigating its own laptops, some of which use the same batteries as Dell.

The recalled batteries are used in 1.8 million 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4 sold from October 2003 through August 2006, including 700,000 laptops sold outside the U.S. Apple also warns that batteries sold separately from laptops during the time period could be part of the recall, as well as new batteries installed as part of repair work.

The Dell recall could cost Sony as much as US$200 million according to analyst estimates, as Sony is expected to split the costs with Dell. Sony says the two recalls could cost the Japanese electronics giant as much as 30 billion yen (US$258 million).

The lithium-ion batteries used in most laptop computers have been produced since the early 1990s and are used in many other devices, including Nintendo's DS, DS Lite and Game Boy Advance handheld systems. Sony also uses the technology in its PlayStation Portable. Experts say that properly manufactured lithium-ion batteries are safe.

Customers can visit Apple's Battery Exchange Program website to determine if they own a defective battery and learn how to receive a free replacement.

Source: Apple, MSNBC, MarketNews Daily