Macbook Swollen Battery: Help with Apple Defects

[thelawnetwork]

You can complain, but you didn't respond to what I said. And then you misrepresent what happened. Here's some breaking news: nobody is worried about their nearly ten year old macbooks having lithium battery issues.

Of course I responded and the Macbook is only now just 5 years old - not 10. You take ridiculous liberties with the facts to suit your needs.

Then, being non-responsive again, you say nothing of the thousands upon thousands of sources of information about the hazards and problems of lithium battery use and proclaim that Ziff Davis is heavy stuff. More breaking news: ZD has plenty of material that isn't "heavy."

Do you think that using big words like "non-responsive" is a clever bit of snide to another user? Your response here is irrelevant and immaterial. The issue has nothing to do with the hazards of batteries. Zero. Go to the Mayo Clinic if you want to talk about carcinogens or whatever other concern you have. It's about bulging, swelling batteries. Do a Google search. It's quite clear that one result comes up most often - and I'm not alone.

Again, being non-responsive, you embellish your claim about an IT manager but fail to comprehend that the batteries aren't swelling after a month or two. Does your supposed mega bank IT manager use laptops that are 8 or 9 years old? What's the name of the bank? You bought a really old computer off of some guy. What did you do to check it? How old is it? Those are relevant. Your claiming to have no knowledge isn't.

I have laptops 10 years old and they don't swell like these have or at all for that matter. And the IT manager has been at an international bank for over a decade. Now if you knew jack about the way things work at big companies, much of the equipment that is older doesn't go to the executives but it can be provided to other lower level employees and it can stay in divisions for a long time. And once again, the laptop is 5 years old. FIVE. The fingers on one hand, not two.

Why don't you take responsibility? Its an old piece of equipment that you sound as if you bought off the street and did nothing to check. You could still use the computer if you stored it responsibly.Your emotional outpouring doesn't match the known facts. The idea that Apple is supposed to do something is absurd.

I've never seen a laptop just sit around and go from perfect condition to seeing a battery bulge and destroy the casing -- except for these photos of Macbooks. Now if you're willing to put your money where your fingers are, we can make it interesting and put down a wager. And I'll also show you several much older laptops I have around here. Why do many of us have them? Because they run Linux just fine for a number of purposes, including training.

Take responsibility for what? Laptops aren't supposed to burst open sitting at room temperature in a neoprene sleeve for a couple of months. Anyway, little you say makes sense and much is made up. Enough said. I was hoping to get some tips from others and I've read a few which had some good suggestions. It's possible that they do recognize the issue. And since you're so insistent it doesn't exist, you might as well explain why other sites do report some responsible handling at stores - since apparently they know about the issue.

 

[pastrychef]

I can sympathize with you. I've had a few batteries swell up before too. But it's not a problem that's limited to Apple. It's a problem of the battery technology.

I tried bringing a battery to a genius bar once and was told they couldn't help me and my only choice was to buy a new battery. I hope you have better luck than me.

 

[HoiPiet]

I don't think there's a bank manager and I don't think this post is genuine. You haven't engaged in real dialogue with anyone.

But hey, I"ll give you a last laugh - what's the name of the bank? There's no reason you have to hide it.

 

[thelawnetwork]

I can sympathize with you. I've had a few batteries swell up before too. But it's not a problem that's limited to Apple. It's a problem of the battery technology. I tried bringing a battery to a genius bar once and was told they couldn't help me and my only choice was to buy a new battery. I hope you have better luck than me.

Thanks, much appreciated. I wonder whether the trackpad is irreparably damaged. I've never seen batteries swell this much, especially when just sitting idle. Hopefully it will go well and losses limited to a few hours wasted on a beautiful holiday weekend.

 

[pastrychef]

I had to replace a trackpad once because the battery was swelling and I didn't know (it was my first experience with swollen batteries). Fortunately, the trackpad was fairly cheap and easy to replace.

 

[thewap]

Nowadays I'm pretty sure busting the trackpad means replacing your laptop...

 

[RUGGLES99]

there should be a separate forum for old macbooks like the piece of crap the op is writing about and TODAYS macbook. in our household, we haven't seen those old white macbooks for years. but while they were current, they were great. now they are dinos.

 

[thelawnetwork]

there should be a separate forum for old macbooks like the piece of crap the op is writing about and TODAYS macbook. in our household, we haven't seen those old white macbooks for years. but while they were current, they were great. now they are dinos.

It is amusing to watch a couple of Apple fanatics trying to rationalize why a very bad design defect doesn't tarnish their precious Apple brand. My device was manufactured less than 5 years ago. It's capable of running the latest Mac OS just fine and to upload apps to the App Store. Stuff like this shouldn't happen and definitely not so often as it has been reported. Most people don't believe their electronic devices should be rendered useless after 2-3 years. Maybe that's what it is with Apple gear... or maybe not nearly all Apple hardware owners agree... and maybe it's better to just have a separate forum for people in denial.

If you want to start a forum about "piece of crap" then put the 16GB iPads that Apple has been selling for years which unsuspecting people buy. There isn't any reason to even have them out there, especially when the OS and overhead make upgrading a virtually impossible task. Can't begin to tell you how many people contacted me trying to understand why their brand new 16GB iPad that cost them over $300 recently can't hold much of anything. Whatever.

 

[HoiPiet]

It is amusing to watch a couple of Apple fanatics trying to rationalize why a very bad design defect doesn't tarnish their precious Apple brand. My device was manufactured less than 5 years ago. It's capable of running the latest Mac OS just fine and to upload apps to the App Store. Stuff like this shouldn't happen and definitely not so often as it has been reported. Most people don't believe their electronic devices should be rendered useless after 2-3 years. Maybe that's what it is with Apple gear... or maybe not nearly all Apple hardware owners agree... and maybe it's better to just have a separate forum for people in denial.

If you want to start a forum about "piece of crap" then put the 16GB iPads that Apple has been selling for years which unsuspecting people buy. There isn't any reason to even have them out there, especially when the OS and overhead make upgrading a virtually impossible task. Can't begin to tell you how many people contacted me trying to understand why their brand new 16GB iPad that cost them over $300 recently can't hold much of anything. Whatever.

Since swelling lithium batteries isn't unique to Apple, what is the defect that distinguishes them from others?

I doubt the laptop in the picture is 5 years old if it is in fact yours, but you're talking about being rendered useless in 2-3 years. Who knows what that's about. If its because you bought a really old laptop off of someone, didn't check it, and then stored it for years without looking at it, the idea that anyone but you is responsible is absurd.

But there's no shortage of personal attacks on posters providing you with actual, relevant information and on Apple as well as an endless tirade against the company for some vague, shifting yet monstrous flaw. And now its evolved into an attack on iPads and their pricing with a laughable criticism that 16GB "can't hold much of anything."

FWIW, I'm writing this on a chromebook using the chrome browser. You're likely writing yours on a MS computer.

A forum on the psychology of trolling would be interesting.

 

[Gav2k]

Since swelling lithium batteries isn't unique to Apple, what is the defect that distinguishes them from others?

I doubt the laptop in the picture is 5 years old if it is in fact yours, but you're talking about being rendered useless in 2-3 years. Who knows what that's about. If its because you bought a really old laptop off of someone, didn't check it, and then stored it for years without looking at it, the idea that anyone but you is responsible is absurd.

But there's no shortage of personal attacks on posters providing you with actual, relevant information and on Apple as well as an endless tirade against the company for some vague, shifting yet monstrous flaw. And now its evolved into an attack on iPads and their pricing with a laughable criticism that 16GB "can't hold much of anything."

FWIW, I'm writing this on a chromebook using the chrome browser. You're likely writing yours on a MS computer.

A forum on the psychology of trolling would be interesting.

The picture is a year old from redit lol

 

[Gav2k]

There you go op 4 images all not Apple, it's not unique to Apple it's an unfortunate instability in the technology.

You stored an old battery incorrectly
And it bit you in the ass. Simple

 

[JackieInCo]

The picture is a year old from redit lol

I believe the OP mentioned earlier that the picture posted was not of his actual laptop. Not sure why he didn't post the actual picture.

A year ago, I posted in this forum that the battery had swelled in my very same what MB 2010. I Took it to Apple a year ago in August and they refused to do anything because the computer was so old. I moved on, took my anger out on the laptop and thew it across my basement floor and went out and bought a Mac Mini. I also have two MacBook Pros now.

I predict that the OP will not get anywhere with this because it IS and old computer now. Below is the minor damage done to mine and again, Apple refused to do anything. I don't hate them and knew I was taking a gamble by bringing it to them.

 

[thelawnetwork]

Jackie - I'm very sorry to hear that you got nowhere with apple on your swollen battery issue, truly. I'm completely reasonable. I'm not looking for them to replace the entire device at their cost, etc. I'm only looking for them to do something to help bridge the gap, an economical battery replacement and potentially the trackpad. This is a significant latent defect that they seem to have covered up instead of taking responsibililty. If they had, neither of us would have had a completely damaged device, with the battery literally busting through the keyboard too. I'd have known that Macbook batteries having a tendency to do this. I probably wouldn't have bought one but at least I'd have known that it is a condition that must be monitored.

Regarding photos - I've got a number of them. The first was an example. I'd post a few but these clowns here will continue to deny the obvious. They just cannot admit that this was a manufacturing and design defect specific to Apple. There are plenty of examples if need be and I'll post one upon request.

I believe the OP mentioned earlier that the picture posted was not of his actual laptop. Not sure why he didn't post the actual picture.

A year ago, I posted in this forum that the battery had swelled in my very same what MB 2010. I Took it to Apple a year ago in August and they refused to do anything because the computer was so old. I moved on, took my anger out on the laptop and thew it across my basement floor and went out and bought a Mac Mini. I also have two MacBook Pros now.

I predict that the OP will not get anywhere with this because it IS and old computer now. Below is the minor damage done to mine and again, Apple refused to do anything. I don't hate them and knew I was taking a gamble by bringing it to them.View attachment 579425

 

[JackieInCo]

Jackie - I'm very sorry to hear that you got nowhere with apple on your swollen battery issue, truly. I'm completely reasonable. I'm not looking for them to replace the entire device at their cost, etc. I'm only looking for them to do something to help bridge the gap, an economical battery replacement and potentially the trackpad. This is a significant latent defect that they seem to have covered up instead of taking responsibililty. If they had, neither of us would have had a completely damaged device, with the battery literally busting through the keyboard too. I'd have known that Macbook batteries having a tendency to do this. I probably wouldn't have bought one but at least I'd have known that it is a condition that must be monitored.

Regarding photos - I've got a number of them. The first was an example. I'd post a few but these clowns here will continue to deny the obvious. They just cannot admit that this was a manufacturing and design defect specific to Apple. There are plenty of examples if need be and I'll post one upon request.

Just post one or two. Let's see what happened.

 

[Gav2k]

@thelawnetwork

Please refrain from calling me/ others 'clowns' what your failing to understand is that the issue is with the battery technology not directly Apple. Every device that uses these batteries have this risk. The only reason Apple are highlighted online so much is there market value.

Some reading for you...
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries

 

[thelawnetwork]

There you go op 4 images all not Apple, it's not unique to Apple it's an unfortunate instability in the technology.
You stored an old battery incorrectly
And it bit you in the ass. Simple

ROFLMAO!!! You had all day to find examples how this is a rampant problem for all devices but all you could find are:

• just 4 photos
• of different products from different manufacturers
  
• of which only one shows busting through the device

But don't let that stop you from dealing with reality and your need to conclude that every product with batteries has the same issues... because you can't accept all the photos of Apple Macbooks with this issue, the fact that Macbooks had an official recall just for this issue, and for this specific product line. It's OK if denial is the way you can deal with your inability to accept that Apple, like everyone, does make mistakes and sometimes offer defectively manufactured and designed products.

I stored an old battery incorrectly? ROFLMAO. It sat in room temperature between 68-75F in a neoprene sleeve. That's it. Now lecture all of us on the way that batteries - that are BUILT INTO the device - should be stored. It cannot be removed.

@HoiPiet - I'm not going to bother responding. This was my topic and you decided to post here and go the snide, smarmy route. Find someone else...

Guys, thanks for the laughs.

 

[Gav2k]

ROFLMAO!!! You had all day to find examples how this is a rampant problem for all devices but all you could find are:

• just 4 photos
• of different products from different manufacturers
  
• of which only one shows busting through the device

But don't let that stop you from dealing with reality and your need to conclude that every product with batteries has the same issues... because you can't accept all the photos of Apple Macbooks with this issue, the fact that Macbooks had an official recall just for this issue, and for this specific product line. It's OK if denial is the way you can deal with your inability to accept that Apple, like everyone, does make mistakes and sometimes offer defectively manufactured and designed products.

I stored an old battery incorrectly? ROFLMAO. It sat in room temperature between 68-75F in a neoprene sleeve. That's it. Now lecture all of us on the way that batteries - that are BUILT INTO the device - should be stored. It cannot be removed.

@HoiPiet - I'm not going to bother responding. This was my topic and you decided to post here and go the snide, smarmy route. Find someone else...

Guys, thanks for the laughs.

Hp, toshiba, Samsung and Sony have all had recalls for the same thing. The hp batteries were actually exploding.

As for storing your battery it should be room temp (check) but the charge level needs to be maintained too. If it's stored fully charged on in to lower charge state you risk the damage you saw.

 

[thelawnetwork]

@thelawnetwork
Please refrain from calling me/ others 'clowns' what your failing to understand is that the issue is with the battery technology not directly Apple. Every device that uses these batteries have this risk. The only reason Apple are highlighted online so much is there market value.

Some reading for you...
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries

I get it. Most of us get it. It's just really funny to watch how the denial is so strong that there isn't an ability to focus on the issue. It is not "how to prolong lithium based batteries." The issue has always been the battery swelling so much that it breaks through the case!!! No - batteries don't generally do that. And since even the best attempt to produce proof couldn't even consists of two photos from the same manufacturer and same device, it's clear that this is ridiculous. I don't care if you and some others won't accept it. I have too much to do to argue further here. Thanks for the discussion and have a nice holiday weekend.

PS - Here's some reading material for you if you wish. There is plenty of it if you look. Apple Official Recall for the Macbook product line resulting from a swollen battery issue. What bothered me is that it seems Apple decided to take the position like it fixed the issue when it didn't. Had they not done so, I wouldn't have a device that was destroyed just by sitting in a neoprene case at room temperature.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2072132?start=0&tstart=0
http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/apple-to-replace-swollen-macbook-batteries/

 

[thelawnetwork]

Hp, toshiba, Samsung and Sony have all had recalls for the same thing. The hp batteries were actually exploding.
As for storing your battery it should be room temp (check) but the charge level needs to be maintained too. If it's stored fully charged on in to lower charge state you risk the damage you saw.

I agree that it can happen and wouldn't be surprised. The Apple batteries were also exploding. During the conversation here I found a thread that mentioned that Apple might replace swollen battery issues like mine because of the risk of them exploding as others had.

Regarding charge levels, the issue is primarily the life of the battery. It's absurd to persist in saying that if a laptop sits on a shelf for a few months and isn't turned on (or in a warehouse as many do) then they risk busting out of the case. Does not happen. Not true. Apple seems to have solved the problem in later models but shame on them for not being up front and supporting customers regarding the Macbook line. Anyway... it's Labor Day weekend. enjoy the holiday!

 

[Gav2k]

A simple google of 'lithium ion battery swollen' then click images will give you masses of photos.

I give up. The issues not unique to Apple. It's unique to the battery technology.

Good luck with your repair.

 

[thelawnetwork]

A simple google of 'lithium ion battery swollen' then click images will give you masses of photos.

I give up. The issues not unique to Apple. It's unique to the battery technology.

I did a Google lookup of that query - 84,200 results.

I did a Google lookup of "Macbook Battery Swollen" - 71,200 results.

Enough said. Thanks for the luck. Have a great rest of the holiday weekend.

 

[Silverbird0000]

Bought old laptop from an unreputable source, stored incorrectly, now wants others to cover for mistakes. I love the sense of entitlement and not accepting ones own mistakes. During the time that laptop was in the possesion of the previous owner it could have been abused: left in a hot car, dropped, ect.. If you had bought from a store or better yet, directly from Apple this would not be an issue, as it would have some kind of warranty.

 

[Silverbird0000]

there should be a separate forum for old macbooks like the piece of crap the op is writing about and TODAYS macbook. in our household, we haven't seen those old white macbooks for years. but while they were current, they were great. now they are dinos.

I agree. These vintage MacBooks should have a separate thread. They are a completely different animal from today's MacBook.

 

[thelawnetwork]

Bought old laptop from an unreputable source, stored incorrectly, now wants others to cover for mistakes. I love the sense of entitlement and not accepting ones own mistakes. During the time that laptop was in the possesion of the previous owner it could have been abused: left in a hot car, dropped, ect.. If you had bought from a store or better yet, directly from Apple this would not be an issue, as it would have some kind of warranty.

Please... will one of you guys educate us all on how to properly store a laptop? We need to know. Are some laptops allergic to a Case Logic neoprene sleeve? Should we change the room temperature from 68-74F to something hotter like 80F since Apple Macbooks prefer a more "marine" environment? Or should we put it in the refrigerator so that they don't bust through the case?

The Macbook I bought was in superb condition with only 200-300 cycles. Even though Apple rates my Macbook model at 1,000 cycles and it was working stellar for a while before being placed stored (with several other older PC laptops), it's possible that the senior citizen who had it before me could have performed all sorts of magical voodoo. Perhaps @JackieInCo may have verbally abused the Macbook that it would appear was bought directly from Apple. And the thousands of other Macbook owners too who bought their devices directly from Apple.

Please. One of you wise men.... educate us on how to properly store a laptop. LOL.

 

[JackieInCo]

I went to sleep that one night and the MacBook was perfect. I woke up the next morning and saw that the lid wasn't sitting right. It was raised too much on the left side. I used that MacBook everyday and it was not in storage and that's when I opened it and took the picture I posted above. Even after the battery swelled, Mavericks still showed that it was in normal condition. I think mine has about 300 cycles.