Dell blames battery for exploding notebook

Millions have been flocking to view the pics of a Dell laptop exloding mid-keynote at a conference in Osaka.

Behind the scenes, grey-suited Dell executives have managed to track down the exploding machine before swooping to lock it behind closed doors.

Deep within a Dell bunker at an undisclosed location, technicians in white have determined what we all knew to be true: the battery pack blew up.

The laptop exploded during a conference organised by the Open Mobile Alliance.

The Alliance gathering at the New Otani hotel in Osaka, from June 12-16, had enjoyed some lively sessions.

But the sessions took a livelier turn after the computer burst into flames as delegates were settling down for a discussion.

"The initial explosion came from the front-left of the laptop, towards the owner who was facing it," an eyewitness told the INQUIRER.

"Subsequent explosions followed the same sort of exhaust pipe, thus the screen was not directly affected," said our source, now known as Gaston.

"I am quite sure that no one will ever type on this piece of junk again after the incident, though, " he added.

No-one was injured in the explosion.

The owner of the laptop was said to be working for an American telecommunications company, but our source declined to reveal more "out of respect for the owner of the laptop and other attendees".

"All his colleagues used Dell laptops too, and the incident must have spelled some anxiety throughout their company for years to come.

"There was damage to one table and mess of the fire extinguisher throughout the room, which was closed for the rest of the day," said Gaston.

Dell fessed up to ownership of the exploding machine. In a statement to the INQUIRER, Dell said its investigations had so far concluded that the incident, "involved a fault in a battery cell".

The computer maker said its investigation into the incident is continuing.

It said it is fully committed to product quality and safety. µ