SAN JOSE, Calif. – Acer Inc., one of the largest computer makers in the world, launched a recall Wednesday of about 27,000 laptop batteries, becoming the latest company to warn of faulty Sony-made lithium-ion batteries that could overheat and cause a fire.

The affected Acer models were sold in the U.S. and Canada from May 2004 through November 2006 for between $500 and $1,500.