Dell laptop number 3 explodes
By Ryan Block 
posted July 31st 2006 12:07AM
posted July 31st 2006 12:07AM
posted July 31st 2006 12:07AM
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This is one reason why I don't get a Dell. Cheap laptop mean cheap parts and that can cause problems. Only reason Dell is making alot of money is because people don't really know what they are really buying, but only see that it is cheap in price.
Guys what you are not seeing is 3 out of 9 of the battery models that have been recalled by dell are batteries for the D410. Every company has recalls. It is the consumer’s job to act on the recalls. Everyone jumps ship way to quick to say "Mac > Dell" etc... but what you fail to see is Apple just recalled 22k Mac Book Pro batteries for similar issues. This is not just a problem with one manufacturer that we deal with (HP, Mac, Dell, IBM) but with their part suppliers which are often the same. If anything we should be demanding these part suppliers be held accountable for their mistakes. Not trying to relinquish dell or Mac of their responsibility to the consumer just saying they are not the ones totally to blame.
I just bought two more dell laptops. I'm not too terribly scared, but this is a serious issue. I just retired a Inspiron 8500 because either the mb or proc died. I think it could have been caused by the heat. I used it as my desktop at work so it was running probably 12-14 hours a day, and I have to tell you, the bottom of it was too HOT to even touch for more than a second or two. It was VERY HOT! Even on the top where I rested my wrists were too at times to leave my hands on. I wonder if this is "normal" or not and how many people just consider it to be normal when it really isn't.
I am glad you are posting these. A company shouldn't be allowed to get away with this kind of crap?
What's next? If you have a dell laptop - you can't fly? For gods sake that is the only reason I got a laptop - so I could take a computer with me as I'm flying.
Intellectualdiot, My second cuz made up that ad campaign. I forget his name though....
If you haven't checked the Dell replacement site, then you might want to call them.
I just got off the phone, and the website does have a bit of lag in updates... my battery did have the correct part number, but the website "No need for replacement".
I called... it's one of the batteries covered in the recall.
Glad I called... took all of 5 minutes, the guy on the phone was helpful and I'll have a new battery tomorrow or so.
MAC ftw!
over heating yes, burst in flame, not yet :knock on wood:
https://www.dellbatteryprogram.com/Identify.aspx
Go here and use their battery identifier and if need be order a new battery. No I don't work for Dell, my laptop is a Gateway. My son bought this situation to my attention and I did more than complain I actually dug around to find any helpful info that was available. I hope this can keep someone from a tragedy?
You can't blame the battery manufacturer when a laptop design exposes it to heat outside of it's specs. Someone with one of these batteries, would you like to post the operating temperatures? And if anyone has an accurate heat probe, especially someone with a notebook that they'd describe as too hot to touch.
Also, Quanta, Clevo, Asus, Arima, and all the other ODM's build to the system integrator's specs and price. If you buy an OEM Quanta you'll get an excellent laptop at IBM T series level of quality. If you buy a Quanta built Dell, not so much, to put it kindly.
Dell and U.S. manufacturers are abdicating more of the total system design to their ODM suppliers. And yes to agree with Ethyriel abdicating design while requiring rock bottom pricing does tend to lend itself to compromises which can lead to problems. However it should be noted that the battery manufacturers do have design input on the thermal characteristics of the product. And Dell believe it or not... does have spec. requirements on the high end of the industry. Also important to note most of the recent battery recalls Dell, Apple have been for specific lots. Usually that would indicate a manufacturing build issue.
Firstly for those that have said this is happening way too often let me say that 3 times is not often, but it is disturbing. I personally loath Dell, but in all fairness Apple isn't so great either. I want to just state that any one that decides to buy an Apple in place of a Dell is just as foolish as one buying a Dell. Both companies suck in the products they make. Apple can't seem to get its act together with the new Core Duo's and obviously neither can Dell. Before you pass judgement you must realize that I work in an Apple store and I see the problems people are getting with their laptops, its horrid to say the least. I was once an trust Apple hopeful, until I realized they are just as bad as Dell.
I ask you this: what do people hate most of all? I'll tell you: Admitting they were wrong. This is psychologically proven to be the basis of many an argument and lapse in judgment. People just hate admitting their own ineptitude. So it's obvious that an Apple convert, if confronted with reality that their computer is just as trashy (perhaps a bit more stylish), but just as horrible as a Dell, they obviously won't put up a fuss, they will just live with the problems.
I've seen this type of customer way too often and you know what I tell them now (when my manager isn't looking?) I say, "Just say that you were wrong and you'll feel alot better".
I am hesitant to put my faith in Dell or Apple. They need to seriously stop enjoying their profits in the short run, because with issues liek they are having, their long run profit will be no profit.
You want something reliable? Go for anything Asian (Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Sony). You are guaranteed a wonder in technological achievement
The reason these are happening is that they are knock off batteries without proper internal charging protection and or poor components and poor build quality. Notice that this battery is black and should be silver like the rest of the bottom of the unit. I know of our d series are silver at least. I know its black cuz it caught fire. Look closer and this clearly isnt even a Dell battery. These are all cheapo units being built over seas. Ebay is full of them. There are even websites that show you how to refurbish your own.
There is a Dell recall.
https://www.dellbatteryprogram.com/
The aluminum casing dissapates heat better than the plastic casing of your Sony. So, that is why the Apple feels hotter outside and cooler inside. My Windows laptop is less hot and safer on my lap than my PowerBook, but I expect the Powerbook to last longer because of the heat dissapation.
dell used to call these systems laptops but there now known as notepads for this exact reason and multiple law suits
Wait, you say that the Sony VAIO's are made in Japan but the Sony-designed batteries are made in China? Isn't it more probable that both are made in China or both are made in Japan? I've had Thinkpad computers for years that were made in China, and nothing like this has ever happened. More than likely, it's Sony's jap design that is flawed, not the manufacture of it.
umm i think people should stop with all the joke's about dell cause before this shit happend ya all bought their computers so just shut up and people that do have dells should just came down cause they going to fix it and if they dont we just sue because i am 13 year old girl using one of dells laptop and i just got it and to tell u the truth my laptop gets overheated and it does not blow up like people say! is not like they terroist, people make mistake so people just calm dowm and look at the news more and make sure not to overheat ur laptop!
What do these notebooks have in common? Core Duo CPU? ATI video?
Anything apart from the manufacturer?
http://www.laptopbatteryclub.com/