With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Dell Recalls Millions of Laptop Batteries
Listen
0:00
Listen
STEVE INSKEEP, host:
The computer business is heating up just a little too much.
Dell Computers says it is recalling 4.1 million batteries used in laptop computers. It is the largest electronics related recall involving the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.
Sponsored message
JIM ZARROLI reporting:
Dell said it would voluntarily recall some of the lithium ion batteries used in its Latitude and Precision notebook computers and sold between April 2004 and last month. The batteries are manufactured by Sony, under the Dell brand name.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented 339 cases of lithium ion batteries overheating. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that a laptop had even caught fire while stored in an overhead bin on a plane traveling from Chicago to Munich, leading passengers to suspect a terrorist attack was taking place.
In announcing the recall, Dell said instances of overheating were extremely rare. The company said it had documented just six cases of its laptops catching fire. None of the fires resulted in injuries to people.
Ira Williams is a Dell spokesman.
Mr. IRA WILLIAMS (Spokesman for Dell): There were a couple of incidents that were announced, and essentially we respond to those in the way that we do any sort of, very serious, safety issue like that. And our steps are essentially to capture those units and study them and analyze them.
ZARROLI: Williams said the company has set up a Web site, www.dellbatteryprogram.com where notebook users can go to find out if their computers are affected by the recall. If they are, they can send the batteries back to Dell to be replaced.
Sponsored message
The same battery cell recalled by Dell is also used by other computer makers. Apple said yesterday, it was investigating the batteries used in its current and former notebook lines to see if they meet safety standards.
Dell said it did not expect the recall to have any adverse effect on its financial position or cash flow. The company, which is the largest personal computer maker in the world, is to report financial results for the second quarter of 2006 this week.
Jim Zarroli, NPR News, New York. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
