Computer Business Lenovo and computer business IBM decided to recall 500,000 ThinkPad notebook batteries from the Sony Corporation last Thursday.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported the decision had been made after fire reports from popular “ThinkPad” computers.  Batteries that are part of the computer business recall are 168,500 U.S. packs sold in the U.S. and an additional 357,500 batteries internationally.   

This announcement comes as a reaction to a fire on September 16 that broke out at LAX in Los Angeles when a “ThinkPad” T43 notebook got too hot and began to smoke and spark.  Experts state that lithium-ion batters can overheat dangerously and potentially cause fires.  Computer business Lenovo spokesperson Ray Gorman stated that while there have not been injuries, there is the potential for damage to the computer and accessories and in the future even to users.  

Sony’s batteries have caused concern and recalls already with computer business Dell, that recalled 4.1 million laptop batteries in August and Apple Computer, that recalled 1.8 million Sony batteries.  Toshiba also followed suit and recalled 340,000 notebook batteries made by Sony in September, not due to overheating but due to power storage and transmission issues.  Other companies, such as Matsushita, the umbrella company for Panasonic recalled 6,000 notebook batteries for overheating, but these batteries were not manufactured by Sony.  

Computer business Lenovo acquired the ThinkPad line of notebooks when IBM sold the originally Chinese-based company its PC business in December 2004.  The recalled lithium-ion batteries were sold separately or with the following computers:  the T Series; the R Series; the X Series.  

Notebooks affected were sold between February 2005 and September 2006.

Added By:  Computer Consulting Kit