Material allergy Macbook Pro

[yes_indeed_so]

Hello,

A few years back I had a Macbook Pro mid 2009. While working with this, I noticed I got small irritations from the material when resting my hands on the Macbook. It felt like licking a 9V battery, but on my palms. I noticed I felt this when slightly touching the corners of the body. This made it very hard to work with it unfortunately.

Ever since, I have used an iMac (never had any problems with the material of the wireless keyboard). But for college and work I need a proper laptop, and I am most likely buying a Macbook Pro Retina 13" 2015 model very soon. But I remembered the irritations I got from my last Macbook Pro.
In store I had some time to check out the new model, and it felt a bit smoother but I am just not sure.

Now my question is, has the material of the body of the Macbook changed from the mid 2009 model to early 2015? Have there been any other signals from people having the same problems as I did? I tried looking up the material of the MBP, but couldn't find anything so I hope anyone here can answer.

Thank you!

 

[maflynn]

No, for the most part they've been using the same aluminum that they used since the G4 PowerBook days.

 

[yes_indeed_so]

No, for the most part they've been using the same aluminum that they used since the G4 PowerBook days.

Also no changes in coating, finish etc? Because I noticed a difference in the feeling of the material when trying out the 2015 model, but not sure if that relates to this issue ... Ah, well, I can always return it in two weeks after purchasing

 

[maflynn]

Also no changes in coating, finish etc? Because I noticed a difference in the feeling of the material when trying out the 2015 model, but not sure if that relates to this issue ... Ah, well, I can always return it in two weeks after purchasing

I don't know about that, the physical makeup, i.e., coatings, and alloys are not something apple releases. All I know is that the Apple has use Aluminum since the powerbook days and I don't think they've done anything to alter that in the past.

 

[mpfuchs]

There has been a thread on here talking about the MacBooks being under a slight electric current that you can feel when you're using the power brick without the grounded extension cord that comes with your MacBook.

Do you remember if you only got that feeling while the power cord was plugged in, and not when on battery power?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/strange-surface-feedback-when-charging.1892751/#post-21464385

 

[yes_indeed_so]

There has been a thread on here talking about the MacBooks being under a slight electric current that you can feel when you're using the power brick without the grounded extension cord that comes with your MacBook.

Do you remember if you only got that feeling while the power cord was plugged in, and not when on battery power?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/strange-surface-feedback-when-charging.1892751/#post-21464385

Yes, I am absolutely sure that it was plugged in at that time, since it was by default on my desk connected to a second monitor. Not sure if I did not get it while it was unplugged, because it was always plugged in due to a faulty battery.
But it is nothing like the bit of static that you feel when you brush over a new iMac or something, if that is what you are referring to. Because I noticed that on my and others' iMacs, but it's not even close to the intensity of what I had on that Macbook.

Maybe because the battery of the Macbook was so horrible that it would do this in a very increased measure. Thanks for the info, that'll hopefully mean I won't have issues with a model with a good battery

 

[darngooddesign]

I will see this issue pop up every so often and I do believe you. While I can't say if apple has changed materials it does seem weird that they wouldn't refine the anodizing/coating process in six years. One option to consider are the stick on palm-rest guards various companies sell. They come in everything from vinyl, to rubberized plastic, to felt.

 

[yes_indeed_so]

I will see this issue pop up every so often and I do believe you. While I can't say if apple has changed materials it does seem weird that they wouldn't refine the anodizing/coating process in six years. One option to consider are the stick on palm-rest guards various companies sell. They come in everything from vinyl, to rubberized plastic, to felt.

Yeah I would think they will improve it even a bit over the years, right?
I'm not fond of putting some vinyl over a beautiful laptop, but thanks for the reminder, if I have this issue again I'll certainly take a look at it!

 

[darngooddesign]

Yeah I would think they will improve it even a bit over the years, right?
I'm not fond of putting some vinyl over a beautiful laptop, but thanks for the reminder, if I have this issue again I'll certainly take a look at it!

You can get them in the same clear material people use to prevent scratches on the outside. Unfortunately, even if apple has modified the coating there is no guarantee you won't still be affected.

 

[yes_indeed_so]

You can get them in the same clear material people use to prevent scratches on the outside. Unfortunately, even if apple has modified the coating there is no guarantee you won't still be affected.

OK, thanks, sounds good!
I'll certainly check that out

 

[darngooddesign]

OK, thanks, sounds good!
I'll certainly check that out

Perhaps you can view this as the impetus to be more ergonomically correct by not resting your palms on the computer while typing.