Classic tip · Hardware
Massive Dell Laptop Battery recall
This is worth reading if you've got a Dell laptop. There have been numerous stories in recent months of Dell laptops exploding into flames and it looks as though now over 4 million batteries from the…
This is worth reading if you've got a Dell laptop. There have been numerous stories in recent months of Dell laptops exploding into flames and it looks as though now over 4 million batteries from their inspiron, Latitude and Precision laptops are being recalled. The manufacture dates range from April 2004 to July 18, 2006. There is a Dell site for this issue www.dellbatteryprogram.com. Realistically, the new lithium ion batteries are trying to pack a large power density into a small space and if something goes wrong, it can go BAD wrong....
In this case, they're blaming impurities in the materials of the anode and cathode. They say over time the impurities (which they say are tiny pieces of metal....) can shift and move towards the edge of the anode/cathode and could rupture the insulation between the two which shorts the battery (and "that would be bad".)
Anyway - take a look if you've got a Dell laptop. They've only had 6 incidents reported, but it is a SERIOUS problem that takes the fun out of the thought of a "laptop".