July 10th, 2006
Dell’s Image Smokin’ … in a Bad Way
By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
Recently I wrote about an exploding Dell in Osaka, Japan. Since the original report was from The Inquirer, there were some doubters (including, at first, me, until reports showed up in more reliable places). However, a second report, this one in Pennsylvania, has PR people working overtime, and investors worried about the value of Dell stock.
Last Thursday, citing reports of a second smoking laptop, this one in Pennsylvania, she advised them that “should this story also hit the mainstream press, we believe there is headline risk and potentially negative demand ramifications for Dell.” Source: The New York Times via IHT
We Say: In both cases, Dell investigations did reveal the laptops either smoked or burst into flames (sorry, Inquirer naysayers). In the Japan incident, it was a faulty battery, though not related to last year’s battery recall. The Pennsylvania issue was due to a chip problem. Dell’s image has been tarnished by other issues unrelated to smoking laptops, such as customer service, and this is the wrong time for any other negative press.
Skul says:
If memory serves me right, the batteries are Lithium-ions. They require a protection circuit to prevent over-charge. If over-charged or charged at too high of rate, metallic lithium can plate out. Lithium, being a reactive metal, recombines with other material, causing rupture, out-gassing and often fire. Properly cared for, they are however safe.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
martinelli says:
Lithium-polymer batteries if not properly manufactured, are a fire hazard. They are being used extensively in the model airplane market and we’ve seen a few of the failures. In fact, you can get a nice ceramic charging safe (looks like an overturned red clay bread baking pan on a flat plate) that you use while charging them, in case one decides to either burst or catch fire.
July 12th, 2006 at 6:16 am
Paul says:
What an image hit, especially in that it was Sony’s batteries! Perhaps they could turn this into a good PR opportunity though.
No seriously, check out this recommendation I found here http://www.levick.com/resources/topics/articles/dell_battery_crisis.php
“An industry-wide public safety leadership role generalizes the problem beyond your own company.”
Sounds like a chance for spin to me!
August 23rd, 2006 at 3:30 pm