HP is recalling a number of laptop batteries due to serious safety concerns. Essentially, HP is responding to reports that some batteries on some models can overheat, and recalling all those which may be affected. Which is appreciated, as it's always better to be safe than sorry.
This seems to be something of an annual tradition for HP. In 2016, the company recalled 41,000 laptop batteries after reports of overheating. Then, in 2017, HP recalled 101,000 batteries for the same reason. This year the number of laptop batteries being recalled is around 50,000.
Potentially Hazardous to Your Health
According to HP, the batteries being recalled have "the potential to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to customers". This is based on eight reports of the batteries melting or charring, one of which resulted in extensive property damage, and another which caused first-degree burns.
The products affected are the HP Probook 64x (G2 and G3), HP ProBook 65x (G2 and G3), HP x360 310 G2, HP ENVY m6, HP Pavilion x360, HP 11 notebook computers, and HP ZBook (17 G3, 17 G4, and Studio G3) mobile workstations. All shipped between December 2015 and December 2017.
HP claims that this recalls affects just "0.1 percent of the HP systems sold globally over the past two years". Which means HP sells more laptops than we thought. The recall is voluntary, but the company will replace the affected batteries free of charge for those who abide by it.
To find out if your laptop is affected just go to HP's BatteryProgram2018 microsite and follow the instructions. You will have to download the HP Battery Program Validation Utility for HP to check whether your battery is affected or not. But the process should be both quick and painless.
Time to Change Suppliers, Perhaps?
It's always good to see companies taking the initiative in order to protect the safety of their customers. For which I'll give HP credit. However, this is the third year in a row HP has recalled batteries due to safety concerns, so perhaps it's time the company changed suppliers instead.
Do you own an HP laptop? Is it one of the models listed? If so, are you going to abide by the recall or take your chances? Seeing as HP has enacted similar recalls for the past two years, is the company unlucky? Or just overly cautious? Please let us know in the comments below!
Image Credit: Wlodi via Flickr