Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

Apple MacIntosh has issued a software update to correct a fault with its laptop batteries, which causes the equipment to lose performance and swell.

Available for free download from its website, the update is intended to improve the performance of Sony-manufactured batteries supplied with Mac and MacBook Pro laptops between February 2006 and last month.

"The factors causing the performance issues do not present a safety risk. Youmay continue to use your current battery," advised the notice on the company's website, www.apple.com.

However, the notice also advised users experiencing symptoms of the problem to take their laptop and battery to be checked at their nearest Apple-approved dealership. Jamaica currently has one such dealership, Mist Ltd., located at Liguanea Post Office Mall in St. Andrew.

According to Mist technician, Warren Henry, several customers have already returned faulty batteries which are to be replaced free of charge.

"It takes about two weeks to get a replacement, so it's not an immediate thing," Mr. Henry said. "What they will have to do is to use the mains adapter in the meantime."

This is not the first time that Apple has had problems with its Sony-manufactured batteries. Apple had to recall 1.8 million units last year which were produced by Sony and sometimes overheated or caught fire. PC manufacturer, Dell, was hit even worse by the problem, having to recall four million batteries.

Mr. Henry said the replacements would remain Sony-manufactured, but with new components.

Battery symptoms:

The computer does not recognise the unit and an X appears in the battery icon.

The battery does not charge when plugged into the mains.

It has a low-charge capacity.

It swells.

For more information please call 9461481.

ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com