September 4th, 2008
BREAKING: Sony recalls 440,000 Vaio laptops
Sony said today that it is recalling 440,000 Vaio laptop computers worldwide due to faulty parts that could trigger overheating.
The recall involves 19 models in the Vaio TZ series manufactured between May 2007 and July 2008. The laptops are being recalled because improperly placed wires near the hinge connecting the body of the laptop and its display could wear quickly, causing a short circuit and overheating.
A flaw in a circuit board inside the display could also overheat its rim. Sony reportedly has received 209 reports of overheating worldwide, including seven cases in which people received minor burns.
Of course, this problem comes just two years after Sony called for massive recalls of laptop batteries, which also caused overheating and bursting into flames.
Has this happened to your Vaio laptop? Tell us in TalkBack.
UPDATE: More info from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission here. Consumers owning one of these laptops are advised to stop using it and call (888) 526-6219 or go to sony.com/support to determine if their computers are included in the recall.
Andrew J. Nusca is an associate editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet.
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