You know how Apple and Dell have recalled some laptop batteries because they have in very few cases caught fire? Some of these machines have Sony Li-ion batteries that can spontaneously combust without warning. That would suck. According to this recent news, several airlines including Korean Air and Australia’s Qantas have gone so far as to ban passengers from boarding with Dell laptops, Apple Power Books or iBooks. Sure, sure, the LAST thing you’d ever want it to be sitting next to some trendy artist who’s Photoshopping a photo of his dog when suddenly poof, his laptop goes up in flames.
Might make for a funny skit, but not good for reality. But the number of cases reported of this happening are so slim that it seems very doubtful this would ever happen. Plus, these are LAPTOPS, right? So most people have them on their laps or will be able to tell if they’re getting too hot.
Anyway, it seems the US Federal Aviation Administration may be offering safety advice concerning this matter to airlines very shortly and perhaps there will be more bans. So I guess the solution is, lets get this behind us. Get those batteries replaced so we can all be free to take our Powerbooks on board.