Gadget Bloggers

It’s the largest product recall in consumer electronics history.

Dell is recalling 4.1 million notebook computer batteries, installed in computers between April 2004 and July 18 of this year.  (The cells inside the affected batteries were actually manufactured by Sony.)

These lithium-ion batteries could erupt in flames, according to Dell.

Dell reported a half dozen instances of computers overheating or catching fire according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  The cost of the recall is thought to be at least $300 million.

Since the Sony cells have been installed in other notebook brands, this recall may be the first of several.  And, as the New York Times points out, this raises questions about the safety of lithium ion battery technology, which powers everything from MP3 players to power drills.  The CPSC reports batteries in more than 300 devices from cell phones to laptops have overheated since 2003.

Reports (including video) of Dell computers catching fire (or even exploding) have been floating around here and elsewhere.  Meanwhile, Apple declared a “battery exchange” program for some of its MacBooks late last month, but stated that the recall was a performance issue, not a safety issue.

[via Reuters, New York Times]