The company's had to endure quite a number of red marks on its books recently - sweatshop iPods, hot-running laptops, the lawsuit with Creative, MacStains, malfunctioning logic boards, and their own massive LiON battery recall in the wake of the Sony battery/Dell exploding laptop scandal - but they didn't stop Apple shares from finishing 50 cents higher in the NASDAQ Friday.

Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said that the company will not be feeling any financial impact from the battery recall program - despite the fact the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates up to 1.8 million Apple laptop batteries worldwide are covered by the recall. By comparison, Sony expects costs of between $172 million and $258 million to recover bad batteries and ship replacements. And the Japanese government had recently ordered both Sony and Dell to investigate their battery troubles, and report their findings by the end of August - or face a fine.

The battery recall is the latest in a series of "irregularities" either publicly revealed or admitted to by Apple, or accused of by third parties. The latter case is represented by the iPod sweatshop accusations leveled against the Chinese-based factories where iPod manufacturing is outsourced. Cases falling under the former include the battery recall, both of their older models and of certain batches of MacBook Pro batteries, as well as MacBook quality control issues.

But by stock performance it seems that the company's still ticking and kicking. Even if it wasn't the highest in the past year, things are still looking up for Apple.

Then again, we did say long before that any idea of an "Apple customer backlash" could be illusory.

As we reported last July 31st, if your MacBook Pro batteries (a) have A1175 as their model number, and (b) their serial numbers end with U7SA,U7SB, or U7SC, you still might want to replace your battery, just in case.

For all other MacBook Pro battery owners, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reviewed the substandard batteries used in early MacBook Pros sold between February and May, but found that they didn't pose any safety threat.

The battery exchange program came about after MacBook Pro owners complained of a "high-pitched buzzing sound" in their notebooks, and problems concerning recharging. However, Apple maintains that the recall of the MacBook Pro batteries stemmed not from any potential fire hazard such as that which plagued batteries in Dell laptops (or for that matter the batteries in Apple's iBook and Powerbook G4 models which were recently recalled), but because those batteries failed to meet the company's high standards for performance.

So except for those batteries - where the damage is really obvious - and those covered by the replacement program, as far as the CPSC is concerned, MacBook Pro owners can relax. Still, it doesn't hurt to be a little vigilant with your MacBook's battery. In light of the Dell exploding laptop and concerns with laptop batteries, it's better to be safe than looking at a damaged notebook from any manufacturer.

As a result of the Sony Laptop battery scandal, Apple have recalled up to 1.1 million Laptop batteries that might be in Apple iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 Laptops sold October 2003 through to August 2006. Apple is voluntarily recalling the affected batteries and has initiated a worldwide exchange program to provide eligible customers with a new replacement battery, free of charge. The program is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The CPSC are known for calling this the"the biggest recall of electrical products in history", effecting Sony, Dell, Apple and many other brands of Laptop. Want to know if your Laptop is affected? Here's the lowdown straight from Apple:

Please use the chart below to identify the battery model and serial numbers that apply to your iBook or PowerBook. If the first 5 digits of your batteryÂ?s 12-digit serial number fall within the noted ranges, please order a replacement battery immediately.

To view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the battery, you must remove the battery from the computer. The battery serial number is printed in black or dark grey lettering beneath a barcode.

For more information, please visit Apple's Battery Exchange Program website, and don't hesitate to contact them if you have any questions about your laptop. And don't just think that your laptop will be okay if it has been effected. After all, you wouldn't want your laptop to end up like this Dell now would you?