UPDATE - Dell Hopes for a No.1 Place on Japan's Notebook Segment

The analysts predicted for Dell, the worldwide leader on the notebook segment, a dramatic loss in sales and reputation on the Japan technology market, but the company's representatives denied such an impact of the Sony batteries scandal. "We're very bullish on how we've handled the recalls," said Dell Japan President Jim Merritt, cited by Washington Post. "I'm encouraged by the feedback from customers."

One of the reported notebook explosions took place in Osaka, at a conference, and the photo has dominated this month's headlines of every piece of technology specialized magazine or web site. However, it is also a fact that the manufacturer recalled no less than 4,1 million malfunctioning batteries, the most comprehensive recall in the company's history, but there are no figures regarding the amount of batteries 'recollected' from every local market.

Furthermore, the worldwide reaction is not a charming one, as Japan's Trade Ministry ordered an investigation that will be conducted by Dell and Sony and Qantas Airlines banned every piece of battery powered notebook coming from Dell.

On Japan's local market though, despite the negative publicity, Dell is still ranked second after NEC with 16.1% market share, as it has been able to surpass Fujitsu, the previously second leader of the Asian local market based in Japan. "As dynamics in Japan continue to change, it is my belief that they will change in favor of Dell," Jim Merritt added.