While no battery is immune to failure or overheating, battery solutions provided by HP are unique and are designed with a number of HP engineered safety features that are in addition to what is typical in the industry.
Ted Clark, SVP and GM, Notebook Business Unit, HP

Based on a review of Sony battery cells used in HP notebooks, Sony and HP say they are confident that HP notebooks using Sony battery cells are not prone to overheating issues that have recently been observed. The company claims "HP’s PC system configuration" helps avoid overheating issues.

In a joint statement issued today, HP and Sony say they have studied and agreed that there are currently no safety issues with regard to HP battery packs using 2.4Ah or 2.6Ah Sony cells, although no battery is immune to failure or overheating. As a result, HP determined that it is not necessary for HP to join the global battery replacement program that Sony has announced to address end-user concern related to recent overheating incidents.

To date, HP has received no reports of overheating in any HP notebook using Sony cells currently included in the global replacement program announced by Sony on Sept. 28, 2006.

Commenting on the statement, Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager of the Notebook Business Unit at HP, said: “Customer service and safety are a top priority for HP. After discussing the issues with Sony, we believe that we have the proper charging and circuit protections in place to prevent an overheating episode. While no battery is immune to failure or overheating, battery solutions provided by HP are unique and are designed with a number of HP engineered safety features that are in addition to what is typical in the industry.”