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User5289

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 22, 2013
7
0
In a series of unfortunate events, my early 2011 13" MacBook Pro got some vomit "splash back" on it. Although it had dried by the time I found it, it appears that only a few isolated areas on the keyboard got some drips. I quickly and easily wiped off the keyboard with tissues and water, and for three days, the computer has been working flawlessly. This morning I noticed that it still smells a little, so I began to google the best way to clean under the keys. There I learned about the corrosion problem that often results from spills on laptops. I read that although the computer my function fine for months after a spill, it will eventually die due to corrosion. With that being said, is corrosion really something to worry about given the relatively small amount of vomit that got on it. I still have 2 years left on my AppleCare, so I would prefer to not void the warranty. Is it worth me individually prying up each key and cleaning the contacts for each? Should I go to ifixit and completely open it up? I am pretty computer-savy and have opened up many windows computers. However, I am sure apple will be able to tell I was in there, and I could very easily screw something else up. I know there is no easy answer here, but I would appreciate any. Advice. Thanks.
 
Corrosion might not be the only problem, as vomit contains acid, which could damage your Mac further, depending on where it actually landed.
 
At this point, you have already voided your warranty (spilled liquid), so I wouldn't worry about leaving traces when you open it up. Apple might even deny service if they detect the smell.
 
Have to admit your thread title surprised me since did not expect a title like that here, but feel sorry about your mac!

I would focus on cleaning it and removing the smell so that you can use it not so much on the warranty status. For smells baking soda work wonders, but not sure if that would be a good idea on a computer, there must be other simialr products better suited for the job
 
Don't worry about corrosion. In my experience, these things are built like tanks. I've had my Aluminum Macbook since 2008 and it's survived a tumble down concrete stairs and two full cans of ginger ale being spilled on the keyboard. It still works as good as the day I bought it, although the trackpad stopped clicking about a year ago.

I would only pop the keys to clean and remove the smell. Otherwise, enjoy your computer and remember to projectile vomit to your right. Words to live by!
 
some

Some peoples' best friends are their MacBooks, they sleep with em, cuddle with them, travel and play games with them, drink lots of water around them, sit them on their laps like babies and then - eventually vomits on them like best pals do when severely drunk. I keep my computers in the office where a lot of hazardous things like fluids, animals and kids can not gain access to at any time.

It is just so extremely foreign to me this concept of fluid accidents on these over priced gadgets people own. So alien to me!
 
Don't worry about corrosion. In my experience, these things are built like tanks. I've had my Aluminum Macbook since 2008 and it's survived a tumble down concrete stairs and two full cans of ginger ale being spilled on the keyboard. It still works as good as the day I bought it, although the trackpad stopped clicking about a year ago.

I would only pop the keys to clean and remove the smell. Otherwise, enjoy your computer and remember to projectile vomit to your right. Words to live by!

the reason why ur trackpad doesnt click anymore is because ur battery is swollen. take it out and try clicking on the trackpad
 
Some peoples' best friends are their MacBooks, they sleep with em, cuddle with them, travel and play games with them, drink lots of water around them, sit them on their laps like babies and then - eventually vomits on them like best pals do when severely drunk. I keep my computers in the office where a lot of hazardous things like fluids, animals and kids can not gain access to at any time.

It is just so extremely foreign to me this concept of fluid accidents on these over priced gadgets people own. So alien to me!

I do those things with my Mac Pro and lemme tell ya my wife just doesn't like having 45# of aluminum in bed :p
 
Vomiting on a computer? I've been there. Luckily the lid was down on my 2009 MBP. Some of the ports might be kaput though. Don't really care as long as the USB and MagSafe still work which they do. Think my Mini DisplayPort is shot but I never used it before anyway.

As long as it still works the thing you should do is try to get rid of the smell. Unfortunately your warranty is probably a gonner.
 
Some peoples' best friends are their MacBooks, they sleep with em, cuddle with them, travel and play games with them, drink lots of water around them, sit them on their laps like babies and then - eventually vomits on them like best pals do when severely drunk. I keep my computers in the office where a lot of hazardous things like fluids, animals and kids can not gain access to at any time.

It is just so extremely foreign to me this concept of fluid accidents on these over priced gadgets people own. So alien to me!

Seems pretty alien to me to restrict a portable computer to one room in your house and not act like a normal person around it, but that's just me. I've owned laptops for the past 10 years and *gasp* have drank around them as well! And shockingly have never vomited on one either.
 
Seems pretty alien to me to restrict a portable computer to one room in your house and not act like a normal person around it, but that's just me. I've owned laptops for the past 10 years and *gasp* have drank around them as well! And shockingly have never vomited on one either.

You should probably own them a bit longer and drink more tequila around them.
 
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