Dell Updates Battery Replacement Program

[Apoptosis]

Dell Updates Battery Replacement Program

Round Rock, Texas, October 30, 2008

Dell is updating its battery-replacement program based on additional information the company has received from lithium-ion battery supplier Sony.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that certain notebook batteries manufactured by Sony have been recalled and Dell is listed among other system manufacturers in that announcement because it received some affected units – fewer than 300 worldwide. According to Sony, the 300 batteries may present a fire and burn hazard. The battery packs were manufactured by Sony on Nov. 9, 2004 and April 11, 2005 and were shipped shortly thereafter with Latitude and Inspiron laptop systems or as service replacements.

Sony has provided additional information to Dell relating to the company’s 2006 recall of Sony lithium-ion batteries, expanding the number of potentially affected units by approximately 15,000. Dell has revised its existing recall Web site www.dellbatteryprogram.com to address both issues. Dell asks customers with affected models to check the site, even if they previously checked their battery as part of the original recall. Dell will voluntarily replace affected batteries at no charge.

Dell does not expect this recall to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. For more information, visit www.dell.com.

[Nobahar]

Too bad their extended warranty program is atrocious. You have to pay about 100 dollars more to change your limited warranty from 1 to 3 years (basic, 179 for 3 years "ProSupport"). Then (assuming you have a laptop) you gotta pay extra $$ for accidental damage protection, 169 dollars for 3 years. Also, you have to get extended battery service in case your battery dies 89 dollars for 3 years. Keep in mind you're not allowed to buy more than 1 year of these unless you get the 3 year limited warranty.

If that wasn't bad enough, 78 bucks for 3 years of a tracking service for your laptop if it gets stolen. 3 year hard drive data recovery service for 75 dollars. And the cheap price of 198 for them to come in, plug your computer into the wall and plug your wireless router into your computer. I wanted a three year warranty on my laptop, but considering that it doesn't cover the battery or accidents (the only two things you need to worry about really) I wouldn't even consider it unless my laptop cost over $2000, or if I could write it off as a business expense.

And people tell me that Dell has the best customer service. I mean sure, some guy in India gets paid a couple rupees for what you pay Dell hundreds for, I'd say you're getting your money's worth.

[ZeekSquad]

I ran into a similar situation with my Dell. After just under about a year or so of using my battery, is started to greatly deplete each time I used it. I called Dell to ask them about extending the warrenty, or if they even have a program to do that, and they wanted wanted the same. So at this point, I am think that there might be a way to find something on the web. I visited eBay and there are a whole bunch of people selling batteries. After reviewing some of the auctions, I found one brand, Denaq, that looked legit. After searching for awhile, I was able to come across a page with a decent Denaq battery review. I have had it ever since and haven't had any problems, and the other nice thing is that is what decently cheaper then what Dell was going to charge me for the plan. It's a lot better then trying holding forever to get someone at Dell and then get the run around like I did on the pricing.