The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

Choose text size: Select small text. Select medium text. Select large text.

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
Swelling MacBook Pro Batteries Present Trackpad Problems, Fire Hazard

Swelling MacBook Pro Batteries Present Trackpad Problems, Fire Hazard

by , 4:30 PM EDT, June 15th, 2006

Some MacBook Pro owners have noticed that their battery is swelling and no longer charges properly. Based on reports from Apple's Discussion boards, symptoms include batteries that fail to charge completely, computers shutting down while there is still a significant charge left, erratic trackpad behavior, and mouse button sticking problems.

In more extreme cases, the battery swells enough to bulge the bottom of the laptop case. MacMedics has pictures of a MacBook Pro battery that swelled enough to split its case.

A swollen battery poses a potential fire hazard, and shouldn't be used. If you have a MacBook Pro battery that's swelling, Apple will replace it. Just contact AppleCare or pay a visit to your local Apple store.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Bosco Posts: 1002 Joined: 03 Jun 2002
Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:37 pm Subject: That's just swell.

Wouldn't an ice pack and some aspirin fix the problem?


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:Ibn Rushd Posts: 51 Joined: 16 May 2006
Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:06 pm Subject: Over charging?

Not not the price, but the battery. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't a swollen battery mean that it has been overcharged.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:coaten Posts: 3071 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:49 pm Subject:

Quote
Ibn Rushd wrote:
Not not the price, but the battery. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't a swollen battery mean that it has been overcharged.


Well, no... if that were the case then every laptop user on the planet would have swollen batteries, wouldn't they? Are you suggesting the power circuitry isn't cutting the battery charge off when it's full?


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:Ibn Rushd Posts: 51 Joined: 16 May 2006
Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:50 pm Subject: Yes

Quote
coaten wrote:
Quote
Ibn Rushd wrote:
Not not the price, but the battery. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't a swollen battery mean that it has been overcharged.


Well, no... if that were the case then every laptop user on the planet would have swollen batteries, wouldn't they? Are you suggesting the power circuitry isn't cutting the battery charge off when it's full?


'Zactly.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:coaten Posts: 3071 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:51 pm Subject:

Is there a precedent for this?


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:GreenApple123 Guest
Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:37 pm Subject: PDA battery

this is unrelated but can anybody help. i can't find any helpful PDA boards. I bought a replacement PDA battery for my PDA about a month ago from [deleted url] and it works great. Is there any reason to think that a replacement PDA battery would be any worse than the manufacturer’s replacement?


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:coaten Posts: 3071 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:01 pm Subject:

Not that I can think of.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:LaurieF -   TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3547 Joined: 15 Jun 2001
Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:19 pm Subject:

This is the second posting in a week from this mostly anonymous person expounding the virtues of a company. I have removed the url because it smacks too much of spam.

Please don't do it again, GreenApple123.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:coaten Posts: 3071 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:20 pm Subject:

LaurieF's in the Mod Squad? When did that happen?


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:LaurieF -   TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3547 Joined: 15 Jun 2001
Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:26 pm Subject:

When I grew my hair in an afro, started wearing a tank-top and hanging out with the crime-fighting hippies.

Actually about a couple of weeks ago. I shall continue to use my power(book) for good.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:coaten Posts: 3071 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:31 pm Subject:

Sweet. Have fun.

Gotta love that purple heart, er, star.


Reply | Quote
Comment on this Article


Guest Posts Visible. Hide Them.
Back to top  Page 1 of 1    

You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated November 7th

Sat, 7:58 PM
News - Apple TV 3.0.1 Update Fixes Missing Content Bug
Fri, 7:45 PM
Rumor - Taiwan Leak Shows Verizon UTMS/CDMA iPhone for Q3 2010
6:40 PM
News - iPhone Moves Into RadioShack
6:30 PM
News - Apple to Open Stunning Paris Apple Store in Le Louvre on Saturday
5:43 PM
Free on iTunes - Dictionary, Dictionary, Dictionary, And More
4:09 PM
John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 11/6) Failure IS an Option
3:32 PM
Games - The Latest App Store Games: Gravity Sling, RocketBird, Ground Effect, Checkers!
2:25 PM
Games - Star Soccer 2010 for Mac Puts Gamers in Role of Up-and-Coming Player
2:15 PM
How-To - The Mysteries of Rosetta Housekeeping
1:33 PM
News - iPhone Game Developer Sued for Collecting User’s Cell Numbers
1:17 PM
Games - Warhammer Online Expands Trial Play Option
11:19 AM
Rumor - Apple May Be Bringing RFID to the iPhone

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
  • RamJet Memory: Mac Pro 8-core 8GB Kit $199.99, 4GB Kits $109.99! Sale on MacBook and MacBook Pro 8GB kits $549.99! New MacBook DDR3 2GB for $49.99. iMac and Mac mini 4GB Kits for $79.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click here
  • OWC: We Make DIY Upgrading Easy! Maximize your Apple MacBook / MacBook Pro. Up to 8.0GB Memory, up to 1.0TB HD & More. Easy Guide + Free, Detailed Installation Videos. Click here
  • Poker Mac If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!

  • For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.

  • Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!