Sony recalls nearly 500,000 PCs worldwide

[Noreen]

Shares in Sony plunged today after the firm was forced to recall hundreds of thousands of Vaio laptop computers amid reports that some models have caught fire and injured their owners...............

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/sep/05/japan.sony

[Inactive]

Now that is interesting Noreen, I read somewhere else that UK models were not included.

Sony really needs to get it's act together.

[Rik]

Perhaps they should re-brand to Arsony? 

[Inactive]

 

[Simon]

By the nature of the product, I dread to think what the injuries might have been! 

[Rik]

They do seem to to be prone to it, though, don't they. 

Remind me to wear my Nomex sporran.

[john]

Now that is interesting Noreen, I read somewhere else that UK models were not included.

The Guardian article quotes :

Sony said it would offer free repairs in the 48 countries, including the US and the UK, in which the potentially faulty model is on sale.

I'd be interested to know which, if any, UK models are affected as my daughter has had one for about 12 months.

Presumably they will be repairing the machines rather than replacing them and this doesn't sound like a moments job like simply replacing a battery so people may be without their laptops for a while.

[Rik]

I agree, John. I don't see how they can ramp up their local repair facilities to cope with the rush either.

[Inactive]

Models affected here John :

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2225425/sony-gets-recall-headache

[john]

  Thanks In, I'll check it when I get home from my gainful place of employment (I don't want to mention the word "work"  )

[Inactive]

Thanks In, I'll check it when I get home from my gainful place of employment (I don't want to mention the word "work"  )

You just did John.. 

[madasahatter]

It all just goes to show that you can't rely on anything, even on a brand name with an excellent reputation anymore 

[Rik]

I'm not sure Sony has an excellent reputation anymore, sadly, Mad.

[john]

I think Sony still do produce quite good products but it seems they have been cutting corners where quality is concerned and are not as high a quality as they used to be.

[madasahatter]

it seems they have been cutting corners where quality is concerned and are not as high a quality as they used to be.

It certainly looks that way John 

[Inactive]

I think they produce mediocre products these days to be honest John, sadly they don't charge mediocre prices.

Great shame, they used to be right up there at the top.

[madasahatter]

I think they produce mediocre products these days to be honest John, sadly they don't charge mediocre prices.

Great shame, they used to be right up there at the top.

I do think that's a bit unfair In - usually Sony products are very good. However I do think they have been resting on their laurels a little, and where as they were that much better than rivals to justify the price difference, rivals have improved their product more than Sony

[john]

Their TV's seem to do quite well in the reviews, not sure about the quality of their audio equipment and their laptops have taken a hit lately with their batteries and now this new problem. I do agree that they are trading on their reputation though In.

[Inactive]

I do think that's a bit unfair In - usually Sony products are very good.

Disagree Mad, they were very good, not so good these days, they are living off of their history these days IMO.

Much of their stuff is made by others anyway, just badged Sony.

[madasahatter]

Disagree Mad, they were very good, not so good these days, they are living off of their history these days IMO.

Much of their stuff is made by others anyway, just badged Sony.

I suppose it's down to personal preference and experience. I bought a Sony TV only last year, and the quality of picture is outstanding (though to be fair it wasn't anywhere near the "base" models), and most of my friends with other brands (including Panasonic, Hitachi, Toshiba, and Phillips) think that my TV is way better than theirs picturewise.

[Inactive]

Fair enough Mad, as you say, we all have different perception of company's.

You quoted Hitachi in your list, they don't make TV's any more, havn't for years, they just re-badge mainly cheap TV's in order to charge an increased premium. 

[madasahatter]

You quoted Hitachi in your list, they don't make TV's any more, havn't for years, they just re-badge mainly cheap TV's in order to charge an increased premium. 

Now that I didn't know. I wonder how many peeps are still buying their products because of the brand name then? That's totally underhand and sneaky - especially if they don't make any of their own at all 

[Inactive]

I think that they do the same with their camera's as well Mad, indeed sneaky.

They are not alone, there are many brand names that have been purchased over the years in order to live off of their track record.

Wharfedale, Grundig to name just two.

[madasahatter]

Wharfedale, Grundig to name just two.

Yeah - I knew about those two - was almost duped once by the use of the Wharfedale brand myself until I found out 

[Rik]

Then there's Bush and Leak (though I've never seen that one used).