Dell recalls notebook batteries - who’s next?
Dell is recalling several models of notebook batteries, due to several incidents of spontaneous combustion. The batteries in question were manufactured by Sony, which also supplies batteries to other notebook vendors. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used today, so I’m expecting to see additional recalls from other notebook vendors, or at least a raft of press releases verifying that they do not have a problem. Dell has already set up their own web site for battery recall information.
I haven’t heard of any episodes other than various spontaneously combusting Dell notebooks and exploding Powerbooks in recent weeks, but I’m keeping an eye out for news about my Thinkpad’s battery.
The battery issue is compounded by the recent changes to airline security screening. It would be unfortunate if this got all lithium-ion batteries banned from the cabin. On the other hand I don’t see any way to create a completely accident-/terrorist-proof high density energy storage device, which is going to make some people unhappy now that they’ve noticed the issue.
Tags: dell, lithium, battery, power, security, risks, recall, travel
August 15th, 2006 at 1:54 am
First Dell denied that it was their computers that blew up, even though their lable was as clear as day on the television at the table where it exploded, overseas, during the conference. Now they are blaming it on Sony the maker of the battery, Sony’s name is not on the computer, Dells is. What happen to the inspection process, before that bullshit hits the market, Dells are bunk anyway, the desktops and laptops, at our university they are always down for some kind of maintenance problem , you couldn’t give me a Dell.