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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

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Close Name:Bosco Posts: 999 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?


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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.


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Close Name:coaten Posts: 2971 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?


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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.


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Close Name:coaten Posts: 2971 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:51 pm Subject:

Is there a precedent for this?


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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?


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Close Name:coaten Posts: 2971 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:01 pm Subject:

Not that I can think of.


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Close Name:LaurieF -   TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3498 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.


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Close Name:coaten Posts: 2971 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:20 pm Subject:

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


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Close Name:LaurieF -   TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3498 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.


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Close Name:coaten Posts: 2971 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:31 pm Subject:

Sweet. Have fun.

Gotta love that purple heart, er, star.


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