Best Buy HP Chromebook 11 removed from store shelves

On Wednesday, Best Buy and a number of other retailers suddenly and mysteriously stopped carrying the new HP laptop, the Chromebook 11. The computer was even removed from Amazon.com, according to The Verge. The model was just introduced in October and was the product of a partnership between Best Buy and Amazon. The media quickly began to wonder the reason for the vanishing computer.

HP and Google both released a statement soon after saying that the Chromebook 11 has an issue with its charger overheating. For this reason HP and Google asked retailers, including Best Buy, to remove the model from their shelves as soon as possible. The companies also said that they are working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to determine the next step in solving the problem.

CBS News reported that only a “small number” of users have experienced the issue and that their chargers were damaged by the overheating. Those who have already purchased a Chromebook are not to use the charger that came with the computer. While the companies work to remedy the issue it is possible for users to continue to use their laptops. They can plug in any Underwriters Laboratories-listed micro-USB charger with no ill effects to their machines.

This is the full text of what Google PR passed along when PCWorld asked for a comment from Caesar Sengupta, VP of Product Management:

”Google and HP are pausing sales of the HP Chromebook 11 after receiving a small number of user reports that some chargers included with the device have been damaged due to overheating during use. We are working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to identify the appropriate corrective action, and will provide additional information and instructions as soon as we can.
In the meantime, customers who have purchased an HP Chromebook 11 should not use the original charger provided with the product. In the interim they may continue using their HP Chromebook 11 with any other Underwriters Laboratories-listed micro-USB charger—for example one provided with a tablet or smartphone. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

On the Web:
Best Buy yanks HP Chromebook 11 from store shelves
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57612244/best-buy-yanks-hp-chromebook-11-from-store-shelves/