What is Your Laptop Preference, Exploding or Electrified?

As if exploding batteries in Sony laptops weren’t bad enough now Dell has, it is reported, managed to wire their notebooks so that there exists an AC voltage of between 19 and 139 volts “as measured from any chassis screw vs. earth ground.” The lower value you won’t notice but the upper value you certainly will. The guy who first found this problem, “Randy” otherwise known as “ViriiGuy” (not a moniker to inspire confidence), has a discussion forum going and it is reported that Dell have been trying to shut him up. See the Slashdot and Engdaget blog items on the topic. The feedback from other Dell notebook owners seems to not support the story and there’s certainly more than a little shrillness surrounding the story. One to watch.