"Take the number of vehicles in the field (A), and multiply it by the probable rate of failure (B), then multiply the result by the average out-of-court settlement (C). A times B times C equals X... If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one"
– quote from automotive recall co-ordinator in the film Fight Club
The example above is fiction, but the confusion and lack of transparency surrounding Sony's recent battery cell problems makes it ring true. Familiarity with the IT industry suggests cock-up rather than conspiracy in keeping us in the dark, but that's hardly comforting for Dell and Apple's stranded customers.
Any energy-storage system has risk, from Buncefield depot to the battery in your wristwatch. The question is how much, and where. We don't know the answer with lithium ion technology: while overreaction by regulators on this issue would be counterproductive, there has to be more openness on both the potential risks of Li-ion batteries, and the recall process in technology companies generally. A full 10 days lapsed between Apple's decision to recall 1.8 million laptop batteries on 25 August and Dell's 4.1 million call-back on 15 August. The heated conversations at Apple HQ during that period will certainly never be disclosed but they'd speak volumes about US corporate attitudes to customers and regulators.
The Internet has filled in some of the gaps.. Apple, Sony and Dell may be tight-lipped, but their customers are more than happy to talk to each other. The only problem with this community solution to an information gap is that it can get out of control. Fuelled by a media scrabbling for news in the midst of the silly season, the battery-recall issue runs the risk of being overplayed. This in turn floats the danger of an equal overreaction by overzealous lawmakers eager to capitalise on an issue that they perceive as popular and easily fixed.
What is needed is not more regulation but information and transparency from all the vendors concerned. Consumers need to know in detail what exactly happened with these particular cells, how long the problem has existed for, and most importantly what the companies concerned are doing to ensure it won't happen again. By trying to control and lock this incident down, the tech companies have precipitated the kind of explosive release of energy that has plagued their batteries. And if lawmakers wade in to clear up the mess, it could be all of us who suffer.
Talkback
I have been involved at he design level with a number of third party electronic system suppliers that have used rechargeable battery technology. During this time I have experienced several "battery" problems. These so-called battery problems have often been blamed on the battery manufacturers. However I am of the opinion that in many cases it is not the sole responsibility of the battery and that the charging circuit has much to answer for.
Batteries are strange beasts in that they are far from perfect devices and this imperfection must be taken into account when designing the charging and monitoring circuits. However many designers lack the analogue circuit experience that is required to do this.
Batteries and power supplies are often regarded as a "black art" and are often "left to the last" in the design process and as a consequence suffer from "budget starvation" eg implementation at the least cost!
Mixing inexperience with battery imperfection and least cost charger implementation can result in an explosive mixture!
As batteries get smaller and store more energy their energy density increases rapidly and it is this that leads to explosions when part of the batter/charger system fails to work correctly.
Several people have commented that no Japanese PCs have been recalled and yet they are major players in the notebook market. I have worked for two very large Japanese multinational companies and have had direct experience in purchasing many $millions worth of electronic office equipment (including notebook computers) from the Far East for the European market. It is my experience that the Japanese designed products tend to be more conservative in their design and seem to be more reliable. Other areas of the Far East can have a "… if the LEDs work, then ship it " attitude to the design process.
In the ever decreasing spiral of product costs (have you seen how cheap some note books have become!) there could be a tendency to cut corners at the design stage. To do this with the battery system could give you more than you bargained for.
tha automotive example isn't fiction
google "pinto fuel tank"
ford decided the pinto customer
wasn't that important enough and
some burnt alive when the fuel tank split open
and the doors jammed closed
compensation was cheaper than recall
this also affects the mustang
and even recient mustang fuel tanks
are between the bumper & axel
but crash safty has improved
a bit off subject but had to be told
It's not dells or apple's fault that the batteries are exploding. The blame is solely shifted on Sony, who made the batteries. Customers should be talking about Sony, not Apple or Dell. These companies did nothing wrong besides buy from Sony, and that should also bring up the question of how safe the Sony VAIO's are.
My anon doesn't know a great deal, please don't post again.
the other two raise very good points.