Buyers of Dell's new Latitude 6430u Ultrabook complain it smells of cat urine

THE claws are out for computer giant Dell. It has created quite a stink with some laptop buyers complaining their devices reek of cat urine.

One user's complaint about the notepad which appears on the discussion thread

TECH giant Dell has created quite a stink with some laptop buyers complaining their devices smell of cat urine.

Buyers of the Latitude 6430u Ultrabook, which Dell touts as the "Ultrabook built for business" say it not only stinks, but has caused embarrassment, headaches and in one case an unhappy ending for their pet.

A thread on Dell's support page shows several buyers asking what caused the smell and how they can get rid of it from their devices which sell from $2599 online.

One user said their laptop smelt so bad it made their eyes water, while another even claims they almost put their cat down in a desperate bid to get rid of the strong odour.

On the thread which began on June 14, and is now six pages long three west says:

"So a few weeks ago I got a new Lattitude 6430u for work. The machine is great, but it smells as if it was assembled near a tomcats litter box. It is truly awful! It seems to be coming from the keyboard. Anybody got any advice on removing the smell?"

Almost three months on, the user was still looking for a solution.

And they weren't alone in their complaint.

Another buyer giovanni79 said: "We just received a couple of Latitude 6430U and we are experiencing the same problem. I have not found any other laptop with the same issue and my guess/hope is that the smell will go away with time. This has been an embarrassing situation with our employees ..."

Another rkmontoni also said the smell was simply bad for business

"I just got a 6430u from my company two weeks ago. I have had to apologise to clients in advanced for the horrible smell that comes out of the new machine. Please advise."

The tech company say the issue is being looked at and it's not a health concern.

Dell said the smell was due to a technical issue that was being worked on and wasn't related to any animal contaminant.

On September 12, Dell's technical support said: "Dell Engineering and our suppliers have been analysing a captured unit and are close to a root cause. A biological contaminate/health hazard is not suspected at this time. We appreciate everyone's patience and hope to post more information within a week."

Three days later, it posted again: "No biological hazard was involved and we do know that a manufacturing process was the root cause. That process was changed which resolved the issue on newly manufactured units. As for everyone out there with a unit that still exhibits the symptoms, we haven't forgot about you and will make things right. Keep watching this thread and as soon as more info if available, we'll let everyone know."

But it was apparently too late for one unsatisfied buyer, askanyon else, who posted on October 29, that the cat had paid the ultimate price and he had only just noticed this thread.

"I want you to know that I killed our 1 year old cat, thinking it was p***ing on my computer each night and now come across THIS forum telling me otherwise. Not only do I want a new computer, I want a new cat, vet fees, letter of apology and payment for my divorce lawyer, since my wife has left me after finding this out" he wrote.

Dell has urged anyone with a complaint to call technical support in their country.

Joey C from Dell posted yesterday: "You will need to call into technical support toll free in your country, log a call on your 6430U smell, and the technical support will do the rest.

"A replacement of the palmrest should get rid of the smell. Be sure that your laptop is under warranty for the replacement."

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One user's complaint about the notepad which appears on the discussion thread

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