Digital Journal — “That’s a hot laptop!” takes on new meaning these days. There are dozens of recent reports of laptops erupting into flames, concerning consumers who like their computers fire-free. Don’t even think of blaming arson here.
Instead, be wary of lithium ion batteries. As computers get smaller, so do the batteries, loading them with power and overheating. In 2004 and 2005, Apple, Dell and Hewlett Packard collectively recalled more than 300,000 laptop batteries due to “fire hazards.”
Here’s another stat rarely reported: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received 43 reports of laptop fires in the last two years. As much as this has ballooned into a issue worth scrutiny, many manufacturers are mum about overheating batteries. Apple, Dell and HP refused to comment on to a CBS reporter investigating the story.
Dell, of all companies, should act quickly to recent scathing news. At a boardroom meeting in Osaka, Japan, a Dell laptop burst into flames, causing the frightened businessmen to shield their eyes from the explosion. A Dell spokesman hemmed and hawed, remarking the company is investigating the problem.
Great, so now one of our favourite gadgets is a potential Molotov cocktail. Back in the day, surfing the Net for scintillating images burned our groins with a different kind of fire. Now, we can fry our inner thighs just by spending quality time with our laptops. Keep the fire extinguisher close, folks.
