Sony burned as it recalls 450,000 Vaio laptops

4 Sep 2008

Electronics giant Sony has been forced to recall nearly 450,000 Vaio notebook computers – including 73,000 in the US and 67,000 in Japan – due to claims of a hazardous burns risk resulting from faulty circuits.

According to a statement by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, some 73,000 laptops are to be recalled in the US alone.

“Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed,” the Commission said in its statement.

The recalled notebook computer models are the Vaio VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series. The computers’ screen size is about 11.1-inches measured diagonally.

It is understood Sony has received 15 reports of overheating, including one consumer who suffered a minor burn.

“Consumers should stop using the recalled notebook computers immediately and contact Sony to determine if their notebook is affected. The firm will arrange for an inspection and repair, if needed,” the Commission said.

By John Kennedy

Pictured: the Sony Vaio VGN-TZ2000 is one of the laptops at the centre of the product recall

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com