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Tomb01

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 6, 2009
482
49
Colleyville, TX
Just noticed that my laptop does not sit flat on the table any more (usually have it in my lap). Looks like the middle of the bottom case has 'swollen' up a bit, and is bulging out. Am assuming this is a battery issue? Is it replaceable in the 2013? And it has already warped the bottom case, not sure just replacing the battery will change that?
 
Take it to apple they will replace the battery and the case for the fixed battery fee (or rather they should do).

Do it as soon as you can, that machine is currently a fire risk and if the battery splits the least of your problems will be a ruined logic board.
 
Go to Apple ASAP. Battery is swelling and push into the battery and trackpad. So those may soon start failing.

The battery replacement usually includes the top case, keyboard, and battery, but not the bottom case. Still, I would point out to the tech any damage to the bottom case and see what they can do. and what the costs is.
 
This will be an echo of the above posts.

The battery is expanding -- this is DANGEROUS.
It could even catch fire.

Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store within reasonable distance?
If so, TAKE IT TO THEM as soon as you can.
They may offer to replace it free of charge (again, it's a safety hazard).
Even if they charge you, it's worth paying for to have a usable computer again.

The cost should be $200 (US). This should INCLUDE parts AND labor.
If they try to charge you more, ask for the store manager.
 
Thanks, all. Am on the road til Thursday, but should be able to get in to my brick and mortar store on Friday. Though can't leave it with them... Hope they can do it quickly...
 
Thanks, all. Am on the road til Thursday, but should be able to get in to my brick and mortar store on Friday. Though can't leave it with them... Hope they can do it quickly...

You will almost certainly have to leave it, try and arrange to borrow a replacement computer if you can before you go.
 
I did a battery replacement some years ago for the same reason. My MBP was out of warranty by then but they still changed it for free which was great. They told me I had to leave it and pick it up another day, but shortly after I got back home they called me to tell me it was ready. I guess it depends on if they have the part and how busy they are.
 
Thanks, all. Am on the road til Thursday, but should be able to get in to my brick and mortar store on Friday. Though can't leave it with them... Hope they can do it quickly...

Do you have one nearby where you are? If you're traveling home by plane, this is a SERIOUS safety hazard for the flight, I certainly wouldn't want to be on the same flight. Even if it doesn't fail in sparks and flames, the pressure changes of a flight could cause the already compromised pouch to fail and vent the toxic gases being produced by the battery.

If ANY B&M store can repair your computer on the same day depends on availability of the part in the store, as indicated by others, and due to the age of your system it's not highly likely they'll have one.
 
I did a battery replacement some years ago for the same reason. My MBP was out of warranty by then but they still changed it for free which was great. They told me I had to leave it and pick it up another day, but shortly after I got back home they called me to tell me it was ready. I guess it depends on if they have the part and how busy they are.

Was told that there was a policy of replacement, but it had been phased out... Too bad.
 
OP wrote:
"Was told that there was a policy of replacement, but it had been phased out... Too bad."

Then pay to have it replaced.
Do you want the thing to catch fire on you?

RE taking it on a plane:
If airport security sees the swollen battery (assuming they make you take the MacBook out and examine it)... I'm thinking that they may not let it through security, or might even confiscate it!
 
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RE taking it on a plane:
If airport security sees the swollen battery (assuming they make you take the MacBook out and examine it)... I'm thinking that they may not let it through security, or might even confiscate it!

Good point, I hadn't considered that in my reply.
 
Take a hammer and hit it back into place...
JK DON'T!
Really though, your battery is expanding and it could possibly damage other components of the machine. I'd take it into an Apple store, pay the fee to change the battery... For the warped bottom, you can simply bend it back after the battery is replaced... it is a thin sheet of metal anyways...
 
So, had it repaired. Standard 'battery replacement' fee, which was not too bad ($199 in the US). Interesting, though, took it to a shop, not Apple, and they told me that they cannot remove the battery as it is glued into place. So the process involves replacing the entire assembly, which is the upper case (keyboard, trackpad, etc), then they ship the old one back to Apple and they do the disassembly.
 
So, had it repaired. Standard 'battery replacement' fee, which was not too bad ($199 in the US). Interesting, though, took it to a shop, not Apple, and they told me that they cannot remove the battery as it is glued into place. So the process involves replacing the entire assembly, which is the upper case (keyboard, trackpad, etc), then they ship the old one back to Apple and they do the disassembly.


Batteries have been glued in since the retina MBPs first appeared. What they did was the standard top case swap. Same if keyboard or trackpad fails.
 
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