Spilt fruit juice all over MacBook unibody

[Changepoint]

The missus spilt a glass of fruit juice (grapefruit with pulp) all over the keyboard of her new MacBook. After turning it upside down and draining the liquid, the keyboard didn't work at first but after a restart it seems to be working fine. Just wanted to know if it's likely to be crapping out soon and should we get someone at apple to look at it. I read on another post that it should be left turned off for at least a week, but that was related to the old white ones. Are the aluminum unibody MacBooks any more forgiving than previous MBs?

 

[jmann]

You need to leave the computer turned off for a few days. But since you already turned it on i guess it doesn't matter. You need to give the computer time to dry out before using it, because you could fry the motherboard.

 

[kastenbrust]

Follow this guide IMMEDIATELY:

http://guides.macrumors.com/Spilled_Liquid_On_My_Mac_or_Keyboard

 

[Andrew K.]

Too bad it wasn't Apple Juice it would be fine.... badoom boom pshhhh!

 

[Changepoint]

You need to leave the computer turned off for a few days. But since you already turned it on i guess it doesn't matter. You need to give the computer time to dry out before using it, because you could fry the motherboard.

it's upside down now, with the battery removed. is there an easy way to get underneath the keyboard section and clean up any liquid?

 

[drichards]

it's upside down now, with the battery removed. is there an easy way to get underneath the keyboard section and clean up any liquid?

There's disassembly instructions in the manual, in the section about adding RAM.

 

[sergiuria]

Too bad it wasn't Apple Juice it would be fine.... badoom boom pshhhh!

Nice one!

 

[175170]

Nice one!

Yeah. Agreed.
However, it is a MacBook Unibody, making it quite difficult to disassemble.

 

[175170]

And also, if the keyboard somehow stops working, Apple replaces the whole top case, because it is all connected together.
Thus, I would play it safe and let it dry out for another day.
Good luck!

 

[bizzle]

There are liquid detectors in the new models, so if you ever bring it in for service and someone notices it, you're out of warranty.

 

[The Samurai]

Worth a try but... maybe make your home insurers aware of the situation

 

[timsutcliffe]

Too bad it wasn't Apple Juice it would be fine.... badoom boom pshhhh!

Clever!

On another note, sorry to hear about the accident, but it sounds like you've been pretty fortunate to still have some life in the machine, let's hope it carries on working.

 

[bizzle]

If you bought it on an Amex that has 90 day accidental damage protection and it's been less than 90 days, than I think you should know what to do.

 

[Jpoon]

And this is why we don't eat and drink next to our lappies. >_<

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

I know the unibodies are very SEXY, but isn't this juice-spilling a little too much?

Ok, sorry, just couldn't help it. Seriously, turn it off, open the bottom latch compartment, and take the battery and hard drive out of there. Run it through distilled water and stick it head first in a bag of rice.

There are liquid detectors in the new models, so if you ever bring it in for service and someone notices it, you're out of warranty.

There were liquid detectors in the old models too...

 

[bizzle]

I know the unibodies are very SEXY, but isn't this juice-spilling a little too much?

Ok, sorry, just couldn't help it. Seriously, turn it off, open the bottom latch compartment, and take the battery and hard drive out of there. Run it through distilled water and stick it head first in a bag of rice.



There were liquid detectors in the old models too...

Not other than metal that easily stained and corroded.

 

[Changepoint]

And also, if the keyboard somehow stops working, Apple replaces the whole top case, because it is all connected together.
Thus, I would play it safe and let it dry out for another day.
Good luck!

Took it to Apple (waited two hours on standby because the genius bar was fully booked that day) and they said it would cost 755 plus tax to get it fully checked out with any damaged parts replaced. They said it's inevitable that the machine will crap out at some point. Thanks for all your advice.

 

[SFStateStudent]

Sorry to hear about your MB, keep us advised on the repair...

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

**snip** They said it's inevitable that the machine will crap out at some point. Thanks for all your advice.

Did they say that before you mentioned that liquid was spilled on the MB? Anyways, after spilling something like juice, it will leave a sticky residue and after you pay them that $775+tax, they will probably more then likely void your warranty.

You can always pop the keys off if you are experienced with that and like previously said use distilled water to clean up all the residue and let it sit for at least 3 days. That rice trick is a pretty cool idea too!