Post-recall MacBook battery catches fire
updated 05:25 pm EDT, Tue March 13, 2007
Post-recall battery fire
Despite Apple's recall last year of over 1.8 million batteries, Apple notebooks are still catching fire, writes Computerworld. The latest report comes from an Australian MacBook owner, who says he was fortunate to have a roommate spot his computer hissing and smoking. After extinguishing the fire, the battery proved to be swollen and charred, suggesting an obvious cause. Surrounding magazines and furniture were damaged.
Critically, it is claimed that prior to this incident the battery had been checked for recall eligibility, and appeared to be safe. Neither were there any foreshadowing symptoms such as deformation or excess heat. "We were damn lucky not to have a house burnt to the ground," the owner said in a forum post. "I have been out for most of the weekend and this night was the only night I had it charging." Local Apple representatives have offered to replace the MacBook, and may be willing to compensate for property damages.
Ha!
03/13, 06:14pm reply
Good one! We all know Apple computers do not catch fire, so this guy probably dropped his joint on his laptop, it caught fire, and now he's trying to blame apple!
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Plural?
03/15, 11:07am reply
"Despite Apple's recall last year of over 1.8 million batteries, Apple notebooks are still catching fire, "
As far as I recall, that's actually the only documented case of an Apple laptop actually catching fire. I've looked at that site a few days ago. It didn't look like the battery exploded, but rather an electrical short.
Regardless, this doesn't look like a widespread issue, because there's only one case of it happening, but Apple certainly owes him a new laptop (and furniture).
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999