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new macbook air (m1) from amazon uk smells like mold / mildew
- Thread starter newJeans
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From my research last year, it seems to be an exclusive UK / EU "issue".
The charging cable of my M1 Air bought in 2020 didn't smell at all.
The one from my refurbished 2019 16" bought directly from Apple in 2023 did.
I even checked a local Apple Store and all of their Apple USB-C charging cables smelled the same - even through the cardboard packaging.
When I asked someone from staff, they confirmed the smell but weren't too disturbed by it.
Seems like the perceived severness is subjective.
However, I am confident the cable just excretes a smell perceived as mildew. Not acutal spores. As mentioned earlier, after running my MacBook for a day, it was odour-free and it never came back. The cable never stopped reeking despite its pristine visual appearance without any "mold".
The charging cable of my M1 Air bought in 2020 didn't smell at all.
The one from my refurbished 2019 16" bought directly from Apple in 2023 did.
I even checked a local Apple Store and all of their Apple USB-C charging cables smelled the same - even through the cardboard packaging.
When I asked someone from staff, they confirmed the smell but weren't too disturbed by it.
Seems like the perceived severness is subjective.
However, I am confident the cable just excretes a smell perceived as mildew. Not acutal spores. As mentioned earlier, after running my MacBook for a day, it was odour-free and it never came back. The cable never stopped reeking despite its pristine visual appearance without any "mold".
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From Apple’s website:
“Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces.”
I was surprised to read that about the screen, but the rest I do regularly. It even seems to help prevent the keyboard keys from turning shiny too fast.
The smell issue is an odd one.
I’ve bought several Apple products since I left Windows/Android behind a few years ago and it was quite the opposite. Everything in the box had a surprisingly pleasant smell to it.
Since I’m sensitive to smells, though, I would have had to return whatever device I bought if it smelled this bad.
I’ve bought several Apple products since I left Windows/Android behind a few years ago and it was quite the opposite. Everything in the box had a surprisingly pleasant smell to it.
Since I’m sensitive to smells, though, I would have had to return whatever device I bought if it smelled this bad.
Please don't do this. Tea tree oil displaces the plasticiser in the plastics. They will go brittle and crack.
i am VERY sensitive to smells, so i will definitely be sending it back if it doesn't get up to a standard i'm happy with.
that said...
today's smell update: i left it out in a room overnight and again today with the air purifier running, and i gave it another wipe down with alcohol cleaner. the smell has noticeably decreased and areas that had the alcohol and rubbing have almost completely lost their smell, however the hinge / ports still smell a bit funky as does the screen. i know it's safe to use alcohol on the screen per apple's documentation, but i am worried about scratching it or disturbing the anti-glare coating in case i do want to send it back. 😂
will see how it's doing tomorrow.
I also had the mildew smell when I bought my M1 MacBookAir in Nov 2021. It was ordered directly from Apple's EU online store.
Both the cable, box and laptop smelt really bad so I asked for a replacement.
It is indeed the cable that is the cause.
The replacement Apple sent also had the mildew smell, but to a lesser degrea. Knowing it was the cable I threw it away imminently.
The laptop and box hadn't yet got that strong smell, so they were okay.
I checked Apple's boxed 2m USB-C cables in stores. They all smell of mildew. I ended up getting a 3rd party charge cable instead.
During the replacement process I complained to Apple about the smell. I actually ended up geting a small compensation from them for buying a new (presumably ment to be an Apple branded) charge cable.
It's not a pleasant experience geting strong mildew smell when unboxing a new premium laptop. Since it is still happening, I don't understand how Apple can think this is acceptable.
Both the cable, box and laptop smelt really bad so I asked for a replacement.
It is indeed the cable that is the cause.
The replacement Apple sent also had the mildew smell, but to a lesser degrea. Knowing it was the cable I threw it away imminently.
The laptop and box hadn't yet got that strong smell, so they were okay.
I checked Apple's boxed 2m USB-C cables in stores. They all smell of mildew. I ended up getting a 3rd party charge cable instead.
During the replacement process I complained to Apple about the smell. I actually ended up geting a small compensation from them for buying a new (presumably ment to be an Apple branded) charge cable.
It's not a pleasant experience geting strong mildew smell when unboxing a new premium laptop. Since it is still happening, I don't understand how Apple can think this is acceptable.
Oh really? I had no idea, thanks for the info. Dismiss my stupid suggestion then, people, please xD
Returning a laptop to amazon is a nightmare in itself. You can expect your refund to take a bit. Thats the one thing I wont buy from amazon unless I'm positive there isnt going to be an exchange.
Yeah anything more than about £100 is a risk to return to Amazon. They only let you send it via the crappiest of services.
today's update: smell has decreased further, and i gave it another wipe with alcohol cleaner + some zeiss lens cleaner wipes. 🙃 i can still smell it ambiently from a distance but it's not overwhelming anymore. 😂 hopefully it'll keep decreasing.
As an aside, wasn’t there an issue with thermal paste back in the day with the Titanium Powerbooks, where when running the Mac under load, the smell akin to body odour would emit from the computer? It had to do with a batch of thermal paste that was used at the time. Hopefully your situation works out and saves you the hassle of a return.
ok, so i got a new macbook air (m3 
) and it also smells slightly mildew-y even though i bought it direct from apple. idk what they are putting on these devices in the UK but it's gross. thankfully i can't really smell it unless i hold the macbook directly under my nose unlike the m1 which i could smell when it was on my lap!
) and it also smells slightly mildew-y even though i bought it direct from apple. idk what they are putting on these devices in the UK but it's gross. thankfully i can't really smell it unless i hold the macbook directly under my nose unlike the m1 which i could smell when it was on my lap!