Palo Alto, Calif. — Hewlett-Packard and Sony issued a joint statement assuring consumers that HP notebook computers that have shipped with Sony battery cells are safe and there have been no reports of overheating.
HP and Sony have studied and agreed that there are currently no safety issues with regard to HP battery packs using 2.4Ah or 2.6Ah Sony cells. As a result, HP determined that it is not necessary that it join the global battery replacement program that Sony has announced to address end-user concern over recent overheating incidents in some Dell notebook models with Sony batteries.
According to the statement: “To date, HP has received no reports of overheating in any HP notebook using Sony cells currently included in the global replacement program announced by Sony on Sept. 28, 2006.
Commenting on the statement, Ted Clark, senior VP and general manager of the Notebook Business Unit at HP, said: “After discussing the issues with Sony, we believe that we have the proper charging and circuit protections in place to prevent an overheating episode. While no battery is immune to failure or overheating, battery solutions provided by HP are unique and are designed with a number of HP engineered safety features that are in addition to what is typical in the industry.”
