Dell to Recall Laptop Batteries
Remember the incidents that took place few months back when a Dell laptop caught on fire due to overheating. Dell reports that there has been six such incidents of fire with a particular kind of Sony branded lithium ion batteries. There has been no reported damages to property or to anybody through these fires. These fires have happened in different locations like an airplane, conference room etc, so Dell cannot blame the temperature in its defense. Dell has decided to recall 4.1 million laptop batteries and this is the biggest recall in the electronic consumer industry.
International Herald Tribune reports that this recall is not unique to Dell but to all the computers that were sold with a Sony battery. The recalled batteries were used in 2.7 million Dell computers sold in the United States and 1.4 million sold overseas. The total is about 18 percent of Dell’s notebook production during the period in question.
Depending on how many of the batteries are still in use, the cost of the recall could exceed $300 million. Dell refused to estimate the cost, but said the recall would not materially affect its profits. Sony, which affirmed yesterday that its batteries were responsible, said it was “financially supporting” Dell in the recall.
So, if you have a laptop, check the battery thats in your laptop and make sure that it isn’t the one that catches on fire. The first thing to see is whether it is a Sony battery or not. If it’s not a Sony battery, then no worries. If it’s a Sony battery, see the manufacture date to see if it falls some time in mid 2004. If you feel that your battery has been manufactured / bought sometime in 2004, make sure you contact your computer manufacturer or dealer for an exchange of your battery. If your dealer tells you that he doesn’t have a spare battery, you are due for a laptop exchange. It is your right to get a new laptop. I am saying all this because I used to work for Dell and I know the policies. If you have any other questions, contact me.
