Skip to Content

Macs on a plane

by David Chartier Aug 25th 2006 at 3:30PM

The Australian-based Qantas Airlines already placed a restriction on using Dells on their planes (the machines either have to run solely on battery power, or plugged in, sans-battery), and now they're considering clamping down on Macs as well. Qantas is currently investigating the actual threat that Apple's recalled batteries might or might not pose. We haven't heard any reports of Apple's batteries exploding like Dell's, but we can understand an airline's need to err on the side of caution [UPDATE: yes, we've had reports of PowerBooks and iBooks heating up and/or catching fire, but actually and violently exploding is slightly different].

In case you still need to check if your iBook or PowerBook (the only two affected models Apple has announced) battery might need to be swapped out, Apple's recall page with instructions and a signup form is here.

[via Macsimum News]

View Tags

Related Stories

Categories

Hardware Apple

The Australian-based Qantas Airlines already placed a restriction on using Dells on their planes (the machines either have to run solely on...
 

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

24 Comments

Filter by:
Jesse Hogue

Nevermind, I need to learn how to read...

August 26 2006 at 3:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jesse Hogue

Ok so let me get this straight, this is the same kind of battery recall that Dell just had for Sony batteries, yet the airlines have said nothing about restricting Dell laptops on planes. Anyone else see something wrong with that?

August 26 2006 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kenneth

In Norway there's a report on a 12" PowerBook burning due to the battery.

http://www.itavisen.no/php/art.php?id=313244

August 26 2006 at 1:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Liam Parkinson

Well my powerbook which im selling to my friend only has half its maximum battery charge, but it qualifys for the recall, so looks like he's getting a brand new battery with his powerbook :)

August 26 2006 at 6:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jay

What's ironic about the recall is that the PowerBook 5300 had the same problem probably 10 years ago. They shipped with LiIon batteries made by Sony and had to be recalled and replaced with NiMh batteries for catching fire. Gee...we've come a long way, not.

August 25 2006 at 8:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Travis Beard

I just hope this New one they send me is better than the one i had to replace. I had a OE battery not on the list.. it died in a year... this new one is going strong as ever. I hope i dont get crap again.

August 25 2006 at 7:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
herbert

f"§$& thats not good - i going to take my flight to australia on monday evening with my powerbook which has an battery affected from the exchange programm.

hmm - let me see what happens when I try to use it on the plane ;)

August 25 2006 at 6:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nick

I guess I'll find out in 2 weeks if Qantas is going to be hardcore about checking my new Intel Macbook or not.

August 25 2006 at 6:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ed

12: From experience with other computers, I'd expect the opposite, they tend to reduce CPU speed when on battey and run at full when on mains power.

August 25 2006 at 5:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike

I've got a MacBook Pro, and had an affected battery. I registered yesterday, and recieved my replacement battery today from DHL...problem solved!

August 25 2006 at 5:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Buy an ad here

Hot Apps on TUAW

Tweets

© 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.