Smoking MacBook Pro Caught on Video, Battery Failure Likely to Blame

[MacRumors]

A video of a smoking MacBook Pro is gaining attention on Twitter and Reddit after being shared by a DJ known as White Panda, who claims that the notebook suddenly "exploded and burst into flames" on Tuesday during normal use. The cause is unconfirmed, but a failed lithium-ion battery is likely to blame.

The backstory:

Yesterday afternoon my MacBook Pro exploded during normal use. It was on my lap, plugged in, and suddenly started to spew smoke out both sides. I quickly placed it on the floor where it popped, the smoke increased, and it caught fire. Toxic smelling smoke filled my house triggering smoke and CO alarms. No one was injured, thankfully, but there was some damage to my home.

The MacBook Pro is a 2015 model with a 15-inch Retina display, according to White Panda. Two repairs to the MacBook Pro's display and trackpad were completed by Apple under warranty during its lifetime, but the notebook has never had any third-party repairs and has no aftermarket parts, he says.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1133847982317723648

While the MacBook Pro was allegedly charging when the incident occurred, it is unclear if an Apple power adapter or aftermarket charger was used. (Update: White Panda has since said he was using an Apple power adapter.)

After allowing the MacBook Pro to cool down for roughly an hour, White Panda says he took the notebook to an Apple Store, where employees allegedly placed it in a fireproof safe for 24 hours as a mandatory safety precaution.

Apple has since "escalated" the matter and said it would be in touch within five days, according to the DJ. Apple has yet to respond to our request for comment, but the MacBook Pro will likely be sent to Apple's headquarters in Cupertino to be investigated by its product engineers, as is typical in these situations.

While unfortunate and dangerous, this is an isolated incident. The reality is that Apple produces millions of lithium-ion batteries, and while they are typically safe, a very small percentage may experience failure.

We'll update this article if we hear back from Apple or learn any additional details.

Article Link: Smoking MacBook Pro Caught on Video, Battery Failure Likely to Blame

 

[mozumder]

That's not a good look. What model was it?

 

[dominiongamma]

Guess Apple fans can’t make fun of Samsung anymore

 

[will_is_here]

That's not a good look. What model was it?

They said: "The MacBook Pro is a 2015 model with a 15-inch Retina display"

 

[ijlakw]

I have a 2013 rMBP and the battery has swelled to the point where the case will not shut. I am more than a little concerned now that I have a fire hazard on my hands.

 

[newyorksole]

Nothing really to see here. That does suck though.

 

[webbuzz]

That's not a good look. What model was it?

From his twitter thread.

He said it is a 2015 15" MBP, track pad and display were replaced under warranty by Apple.

 

[now i see it]

Charging li-ion batteries isn't 100% safe. Occasionally (rarely) this stuff happens.

 

[will_is_here]

Guess Apple fans can’t make fun of Samsung anymore

Not really. This was a one-off issue with one specimen from a single skew that came about 4 years after manufacture. Samsung's issue was a fundamental design flaw in an entire line of products with hundreds exploding, often violently.

 

[aimbdd]

I have a 2013 rMBP and the battery has swelled to the point where the case will not shut. I am more than a little concerned now that I have a fire hazard on my hands.

You 100% do have a fire hazard on your hands. It also probably damaged the computer once it swelled that much.

 

[will_is_here]

I have a 2013 rMBP and the battery has swelled to the point where the case will not shut. I am more than a little concerned now that I have a fire hazard on my hands.

Replace that battery. To to apple.com and book that appointment now. That is absolutely a fire hazard, and not being one will probably add more to the resale value than the cost of the repair.

 

[KGBguy]

Oh man, that would suck. Let see what would be the end of this drama...

 

[BWhaler]

Yo

I have a 2013 rMBP and the battery has swelled to the point where the case will not shut. I am more than a little concerned now that I have a fire hazard on my hands.[/QUOTE

My strong advice is you stop using it and take it authorized repair ASAP. Swelling batteries are dangerous. Gas is building up.

[doublepost=1559229289][/doublepost]This is unfortunate, but if you make a lot of something, there will be defects, and Apple will do the right thing by its customer. (Unlike the MacBook keyboards and T2 chip, which are flawed by design and Apple has disgracefully not done the right thing by its customers.)

 

[realtuner]

Guess Apple fans can’t make fun of Samsung anymore

We can absolutely make fun of Samsung for one simple fact that escapes you:

Lithium batteries catch fire. The failure rate for lithium batteries is extremely low. The reason the Note 7 was such a complete and utter disaster for Samsung was because those batteries had failure rates between 100 and 1,000 times higher than normal.

 

[Dave-Z]

I have a 2013 rMBP and the battery has swelled to the point where the case will not shut. I am more than a little concerned now that I have a fire hazard on my hands.

That swelling is caused by a build up of hydrogen gas inside the battery casing--extremely explosive. As others have said, you absolutely need to stop using that and get it to an Apple store.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

...

While unfortunate and dangerous, this is an isolated incident. The reality is that Apple produces millions of lithium-ion batteries, and while they are typically safe, a very small percentage may experience failure...​

I doubt that.

 

[zed1291]

Legally, what would Apple be required to do for him assuming there was no accidental damage? A 2015 is unlikely to be in warranty anymore, and there is inherent risk in using any devices with lithium-ion batteries.

I’m not asking what should Apple do, but just about their legal requirements to act in this case.

 

[TMRJIJ]

Glad no one was injured.

 

[jezbd1997]

That's not a good look. What model was it?

Read the article...

 

[TMRJIJ]

I doubt that.

There are 1.4 billion active Apple Devices out in the open and many of which are with Lithium-ion Batteries.

 

[ikramerica]

I have a 2013 rMBP and the battery has swelled to the point where the case will not shut. I am more than a little concerned now that I have a fire hazard on my hands.

Swelling isn’t sign of a fire hazard. Li batteries swell as they age if in a flexible enclosure. Apple is notorious for using softsided batteries and giving them no space to swell, causing bulging. Then they end up having to replace a large percentage of Apple watches, for example.

 

[LogicalApex]

I think there needs to be much more educating of consumers done regarding lithium ion batteries, but the industry is reluctant to do so as they don't want people to be afraid of the batteries either. Lithium batteries can be very dangerous when they fail and the safety measures built into them need to be religiously adhered to.

Meaning, if your battery is swelling you need to get it replaced ASAP. As the battery has contained a failure condition as it was designed to do. But it can't contain the failure condition forever. Repeated charging and use will increase the risk of a catastrophic failure. My guess, this battery was swelled and the consumer ignored it.

 

[zed1291]

I think there needs to be much more educating of consumers done regarding lithium ion batteries, but the industry is reluctant to do so as they don't want people to be afraid of the batteries either. Lithium batteries can be very dangerous when they fail and the safety measures built into them need to be religiously adhered to.

Meaning, if your battery is swelling you need to get it replaced ASAP. As the battery has contained a failure condition as it was designed to do. But it can't contain the failure condition forever. Repeated charging and use will increase the risk of a catastrophic failure. My guess, this battery was swelled and the consumer ignored it.

It’s also possible that the battery started to swell for the first time during this incident and punctured itself in the act of swelling. This wouldn’t be the fault of the customer.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

There are 1.4 billion active Apple Devices out in the open and many of which are with Lithium-ion Batteries.

Apple does not produce a single lithium ion battery.

 

[Jimmy James]

I wonder if it was an oem battery. I don’t think most people realize the potential energy and volatility present in a lithium-based battery.