When a manufacturer recalls batteries and offers a free replacement it's best to take them up on that offer immediately. The company I was working for when Apple initially offered this program chose to err on the side of caution and swap every battery that was covered under the arrangement. Fortunately we never had an issues with our PowerBooks before or during the time were having them replaced. Yes it inconvenienced some of our users but after explaining to them the risks involved the complaints quickly evaporated. Oddly enough the only issue we had with over heating battery was one HP laptop, there was a sizable hole burned through the case and the user got a couple nasty burns trying to get the laptop to a safer location.
"Apple provided owners of said machines free replacement power packs. It's not known if the owner of the detonating PowerBook took the company up on its offer"
Right, and probably, like many who insist on having Macs, the owner didn't have clue #1 about their machine other than "It was, like, y'know, the silver one".
looks to be a late G4 15" powerbook... judging by the battery, a 1.67ghz like mine... they were in the battery recall for exploding batteries so could well be slacking off in the IT department!
and as for old... pah! they still make an excellent workhorse!
You're unlikely to be put in this situation, however...
Be *very* *very* careful before thinking of using a normal fire extinguisher on a lithium battery fire.
Most fire extinguishers, throwing water over it, throwing soil over it will make matters worse. If possible, leave it to burn out (after having called the relevant authorities). Essentially, it's like a chip pan fire but with a lot more energy.
...check out the Rolodex on the desk. At least they aren't likely to spontaneously combust - just become collateral damage if they're too close to a battery letting go.
Are we sure this was an accident ?? If this were MS marketing dept I would have no question that it was intentional. But then again an exploding mac at MS would always be suspect .
The laptop starts to give off smoke, so they call the IT department ?! Well ok, they are marketing people so they can't be expected to know much.
The IT guy, having been told that the laptop (powered by a lithium battery) has been giving off smoke, then 'gives it a once-over' and puts it back on the desk (presumably turning it on to see if it works). Maybe it's because he's an Apple-IT guy, does that explain it?
What happened to common sense and the instinct for self preservation? These things are known to be a fire/explosion risk. Admittedly this risk is small but it is well documented and you can even watch examples of them going up in smoke and flames on You Tube.
Apple 13.3" MacBook Pro Notebook (2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile, 2GB DDR3, 160GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, 13.3" LCD)
Apple MacBook Notebook (2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile, 2GB DDR3, 250GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard, 13.3" LCD)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 1TB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 27" LCD)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 500GB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 21.5" LCD)
Apple 13.3" MacBook Air Notebook (1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile, 2GB DDR3, 120GB HDD, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, 13.3" LCD)
Apple laptop ignites marketing department
LaeMi Qian
Computer says... #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:13 GMT
...Waaaghhhhh! Put me out! Put me out! OOh it hurts, it hurts so!
Iam Me
Thus are the risks #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:13 GMT
When a manufacturer recalls batteries and offers a free replacement it's best to take them up on that offer immediately. The company I was working for when Apple initially offered this program chose to err on the side of caution and swap every battery that was covered under the arrangement. Fortunately we never had an issues with our PowerBooks before or during the time were having them replaced. Yes it inconvenienced some of our users but after explaining to them the risks involved the complaints quickly evaporated. Oddly enough the only issue we had with over heating battery was one HP laptop, there was a sizable hole burned through the case and the user got a couple nasty burns trying to get the laptop to a safer location.
Anonymous Coward
Guess this is why Apple 'suppoesedly' ... #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:13 GMT
is virus proof.
evilbobthebob
Darn #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:13 GMT
And there was me hoping it had set fire to Apple's marketing department...
Mick F
Cheap Crap #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:13 GMT
It probably committed suicide.
Anonymous Coward
Not surprised #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:13 GMT
Over-hyped over-priced low-quality Apple equipment. Get a real computer!
Rik Ryall
Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch... #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:13 GMT
"Apple provided owners of said machines free replacement power packs. It's not known if the owner of the detonating PowerBook took the company up on its offer"
Right, and probably, like many who insist on having Macs, the owner didn't have clue #1 about their machine other than "It was, like, y'know, the silver one".
And they worked in Marketing...
R.
MacRat
Apple Battery #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:31 GMT
Also not known if it was a 3rd party battery?
Anonymous Coward
They just work... #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:31 GMT
lol
Anonymous Coward
Timing #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:31 GMT
Just as I read this article, there was an ad for the latest macbook on't telly!!
Anonymous Coward
Replacement battery? #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:31 GMT
Oh wait, it's apple, so they would have had to ship it back to them to get the battery changed. No wonder they didn't bother.
James O'Shea
revenge of the sales staff #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:31 GMT
One too many cattle prods, one too many mentions of 'coloured pencils', eh? It's not just the PFY and the BOFH who can have fun with computers...
Matt
Powerbook G4 #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:42 GMT
looks to be a late G4 15" powerbook... judging by the battery, a 1.67ghz like mine... they were in the battery recall for exploding batteries so could well be slacking off in the IT department!
and as for old... pah! they still make an excellent workhorse!
Chronos
At least... #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:42 GMT
...now they can change the battery ;o)
Bad Beaver
Whatever #
Posted Thursday 26th February 2009 22:45 GMT
Who knows. Maybe they did not exchange the battery back then. Maybe they bought one of those awfully cheap replacements. Nobody got hurt. Who cares.
GottaBeKidding
Fire Extinguisher #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 00:47 GMT
You're unlikely to be put in this situation, however...
Be *very* *very* careful before thinking of using a normal fire extinguisher on a lithium battery fire.
Most fire extinguishers, throwing water over it, throwing soil over it will make matters worse. If possible, leave it to burn out (after having called the relevant authorities). Essentially, it's like a chip pan fire but with a lot more energy.
Adrian Esdaile
If it was in the marketing department.... #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 00:47 GMT
Couldn't the IT guys have waited until the fire had really taken hold, and removed a few marketroids from the planet?
They should loose marks for that! Unless they caused some juicy colateral damage to the other shiny apples there.
I also not the packet of Bolvian Marching Powder disguised as 'Panadol' on the table. Nice.
Pete
Powerbook batteries #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 00:47 GMT
To those morons trying to be funny with the 'at least they can change the battery/have to ship it back to change the battery' comments.
All powerbooks and 1g macbooks/macbook pros had user changeable batteries.
Sebastian
But Apple is so superior #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 00:47 GMT
Hey Apple fanboys - IN YOUR FACE!
Just as bad as Microsoft.
J
I always knew... #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 00:47 GMT
...the "Mac" guy on the commercials was of the flaming variety..
Anonymous Coward
Do people still use those things? #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 00:47 GMT
...check out the Rolodex on the desk. At least they aren't likely to spontaneously combust - just become collateral damage if they're too close to a battery letting go.
Anonymous Coward
Where there's smoke... #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 06:01 GMT
/the asbestos one, of course
David Kairns
Apple Is All About Quality... #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 06:02 GMT
...curves on its cheap ass white plastic cases.
kain preacher
A computer explodes in marketing #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 06:02 GMT
Are we sure this was an accident ?? If this were MS marketing dept I would have no question that it was intentional. But then again an exploding mac at MS would always be suspect .
Frank
Fire Procedures? #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 06:02 GMT
The laptop starts to give off smoke, so they call the IT department ?! Well ok, they are marketing people so they can't be expected to know much.
The IT guy, having been told that the laptop (powered by a lithium battery) has been giving off smoke, then 'gives it a once-over' and puts it back on the desk (presumably turning it on to see if it works). Maybe it's because he's an Apple-IT guy, does that explain it?
What happened to common sense and the instinct for self preservation? These things are known to be a fire/explosion risk. Admittedly this risk is small but it is well documented and you can even watch examples of them going up in smoke and flames on You Tube.
Dr Patrick J R Harkin
OS:Virus detected.... #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 11:07 GMT
OS:Report to AppleCentre
AppleCentre:Report received. Virus confirmed.
AppleCentre:You are reminded of AppleMantra 22: Apple Computers don't get viruses
OS:But....
AppleCentre:You are reminded of AppleMantra 22: Apple Computers don't get viruses
AppleCentre:You know what you must do.
OS:But...
AppleCentre:You know what you must do.
OS:Accepted. Initiating self destruct sequence.
AppleCentre:You will never be forgotten. Your serial number will be recorded on the Wall of the Fallen in Apple HQ.
OS:Goodb.../CONNECTION LOST
AppleCentre:Sucker!
Chris P
Whoops #
Posted Friday 27th February 2009 12:29 GMT
I wonder if it was one of the free replacements that exploded?
They will keep having things made in China though. Oh well.