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Executives from three companies that make battery packs from Sony cells, Gentle Wayeer Electric, ETI Pack and Nexcell Battery said that customers are having to wait an extra two months for deliveries.

'It's very critical now, not just for notebook computers but every other application,' said Peter Hsueh, a general

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manager at Gentle Wayeer.

Sony declined to comment. Bloomberg notes that other battery cell manufacturers do not have the capacity to make up for the shortfall.

The delays appear to be having an impact on the battery replacement programmes announced by several laptop manufacturers. One MacUser reader was told that there is a four-to-six week waiting list more than six weeks ago. However posts on Apple's Discussion boards suggest that experiences are mixed, with some replacements arriving promptly.

Apple notes that shipping times vary depending on the battery model.