I have a late 2016 13" rMBP. When it's charging, if I rub my finger along the body of the computer, I feel what seems to be a strange vibrating sensation that runs up my finger. Obviously nothing in the computer is actually vibrating, and I stop rubbing the computer the sensation stop. This does not occur if the computer is not plugged in. Am I experiencing some sort of low-grade electric shock? Has anyone else experienced this? I'm not seeing any other issue with my computer.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Am I being electrocuted by my late 2016 rMBP?
- Thread starter tbk
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I got this sensation from my Mac when it was new! And all of the ones in the Apple store by rubbing my finger on the palm rest / aluminium parts..
I don't think it's an electric shock or static, just the sensation of touching new/clean/smooth aluminium finished in this way.
Enjoy it while you can, as I said, doing it right now on my Mac at 3 years old and the sensation is gone
#MacBookPerks
I don't think it's an electric shock or static, just the sensation of touching new/clean/smooth aluminium finished in this way.
Enjoy it while you can, as I said, doing it right now on my Mac at 3 years old and the sensation is gone
#MacBookPerks
Issue normally occurs when you have the smaller mains plug into the charger block, rather than the longer mains power lead which can go into the charger block.
The reason for this is because the smaller plug isn't earthed, so the aluminium of your Mac becomes a throbbing bed of electricity, ready to give you a gentle zap.
It's happened on all Unibody Macs that I can remember. Of course the 2016s don't come with the longer mains lead as standard, so if you fit one of those (providing you still have an older Mac charger with the longer lead), it should solve the problem.
The reason for this is because the smaller plug isn't earthed, so the aluminium of your Mac becomes a throbbing bed of electricity, ready to give you a gentle zap.
It's happened on all Unibody Macs that I can remember. Of course the 2016s don't come with the longer mains lead as standard, so if you fit one of those (providing you still have an older Mac charger with the longer lead), it should solve the problem.
I too get a sensation when rubbing.I got this sensation from my Mac when it was new! And all of the ones in the Apple store by rubbing my finger on the palm rest / aluminium parts..
I don't think it's an electric shock or static, just the sensation of touching new/clean/smooth aluminium finished in this way.
Enjoy it while you can, as I said, doing it right now on my Mac at 3 years old and the sensation is gone
#MacBookPerks
glad I bought an extension cable recently, but not for this reason-- because I want to be further from an outlet and still using it and charging it, like on the couch.
same reason I have a longer lightning cable to charge my iPhones from the couch
^
This is truth.
It can happen with any aluminum Mac. I've had it with the old Mac Pro, various PowerBook's/MacBook's etc. If I stand barefoot on my concrete basement and touch my 2012 iMac server, I can feel the current. It's kinda neat, and strange.
