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FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

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Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#111
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Along with the hassle of opening the laptop, powering it on, and clicking About This Mac; you would have the security issue of entering your password while surrounded by other people and cameras. None of the verification options seem very appealing.

I flew Etihad from Sydney to Abu Dhabi last week. They warned transiting customers that phones and laptops must be charged up before passing airport security in the UK or US. The TSA already requires that laptops and phones must be powered-on on demand to "prove that they're real". That's already a cybersecurity risk. I'm relieved that the banned laptops doesn't include my 15" mid-2014 MacBook Pro, or my dad's hand-m…

There’s a ban on fake laptop? Why does the TSA care if they are real?

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#112

I am wondering how long this non-removable battery fiasco is gonna last, instead of an expensive recall it would been a simple battery recall and swap that doesn't involve leaving the laptop in service for any amount of time and doable on short notice so the travelers would not be inconvenienced. On top of that, when non-removable batteries fail, they usually take down the whole device with them beyond repair, while…

Not sure making your mobile product bigger and heavier, just to cover the rare case that your batteries blow up, represents good engineering priorities. Instead of putting in the effort to engineer removable batteries, maybe Apple could instead put in the effort to engineer batteries that don’t blow up.

Sure that is the way, for the meantime the technology in use comes with the risk of blowing up and it would be sensible to take that into consideration during engineering, among other things such as the inconveniences. Accepting the reality that the battery tech is lagging is far more desirable from an engineering point of view and work with that.

If I am away from home and on the way back, upon checking in at the airport I am told I cannot bring the laptop, how would you supposed I would handle the situation? Throw it in a trash bin (I don't mind the encrypted data) but is this a solution, instead of simply discarding the battery instead? (in this particular case where there is a recall for a certain laptop).

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#113
post #87

I am wondering how long this non-removable battery fiasco is gonna last, instead of an expensive recall it would been a simple battery recall and swap that doesn't involve leaving the laptop in service for any amount of time and doable on short notice so the travelers would not be inconvenienced. On top of that, when non-removable batteries fail, they usually take down the whole device with them beyond repair, while…

Indefinitely, because most people do not consider it a "fiasco." Have you seen what the batteries look like for, say, the new 13" Macbook Pro or the 12" Macbook? They're not bricks you could just feed into a slot. They're multi-part systems that distribute the battery through the gaps in the case. Fixing them in place means they don't need extra casing support, don't need to be near a specific edge and are flexible e…

I think the upcoming 16 inch MacBook will be a little thicker than before, and with one of the the older keyboards. They are maybe modifying their vision a tiny bit since their design lead left

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#114

I am wondering how long this non-removable battery fiasco is gonna last, instead of an expensive recall it would been a simple battery recall and swap that doesn't involve leaving the laptop in service for any amount of time and doable on short notice so the travelers would not be inconvenienced. On top of that, when non-removable batteries fail, they usually take down the whole device with them beyond repair, while…

I think you're completely forgetting why they build them like this: It makes for a better laptop. The non-removable macbook can have a much larger battery due to not needing a case and entire user accessible portion of the machine.

If Apple built this machine like how you are saying it would get half the battery life (keep in mind that this is a max performance model with battery life as low as 3 hours when used at max off charger) or would be much heavier and thicker and people. would. not. buy. it. It's a compromise whereas you make the repair (which hopefully should never happen) harder while making the daily use of the laptop entirely different.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#115
post #110
post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The TSA currently enforces other FAA bans, like limits on alcohol. And why have you posted this comment 6 times?

Do you have a source for this?

Sure. Google “tsa” and click “what can I bring?”, it goes right to the descriptions which cite the FAA regulations. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/...

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#116
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indefinitely, because most people do not consider it a "fiasco." Have you seen what the batteries look like for, say, the new 13" Macbook Pro or the 12" Macbook? They're not bricks you could just feed into a slot. They're multi-part systems that distribute the battery through the gaps in the case. Fixing them in place means they don't need extra casing support, don't need to be near a specific edge and are flexible e…

Yes I've seen them and it's driven by the misguided quest for the thinnest, form over function devices while refusing to accept that battery technology is not yet up to the task. Particularly when you consider the volatile Lithium based tech which is sensitive to heat, let's put them in enclosed cases where lots of heat is generated, make them non removable, what could go wrong. Here I just put something rough togeth…

Except, as already noted, batteries in current Macbooks are not one rectangular slab like that.

Take a look at the inside of the current Macbook Pro: https://i.imgur.com/pTZjbuZ.jpg

That's a "battery" that's actually six separate batteries, fit around and underneath the structural components of the touchpad.

Make it a single piece that can be neatly removed like your would-be concept image and you cut battery life in half. Customers would revolt, and far more noticeably than over mere keyboard problems.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#117
post #2

But you can keep bringing your 100 Wh powerbanks (coincidentally the same energy as contained in a 2015 15 inch MacBook battery).

On my recent flights between the USA and Australia, they specifically advised not to check any batteries at all, so in my carry-on I had 5 drone batteries, 3 powerbanks and a mid-2015 MBP.

The provided USB port couldn't charge my larger iPad, so the powerbanks were useful then.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#118
post #77
post #56

yeah, TSA isn't going to do one iota of enforcement

If the FAA bans an item, it's up to the airline, not TSA, to ensure that such items are not in either carry-on or checked luggage.

Why did you post the same comment so many times?

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#119
post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I flew Etihad from Sydney to Abu Dhabi last week. They warned transiting customers that phones and laptops must be charged up before passing airport security in the UK or US. The TSA already requires that laptops and phones must be powered-on on demand to "prove that they're real". That's already a cybersecurity risk. I'm relieved that the banned laptops doesn't include my 15" mid-2014 MacBook Pro, or my dad's hand-m…

There’s a ban on fake laptop? Why does the TSA care if they are real?

Presumably if there's a working computer inside the case then it can't be packed to the brim with c4?

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#120
post #91
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They even said that laptops with replaced batteries are fine...how on earth are they going to enforce that? What's stopping me from saying "Oh yeah, I got the battery serviced last month"?

> They even said that laptops with replaced batteries are fine...how on earth are they going to enforce that? What's stopping me from saying "Oh yeah, I got the battery serviced last month"? Given the reactions to the Boeing news that I've heard, it would be surprising to me if people would risk jeopardising the safety of a flight to bring a personal item. However, people do remain people and act accordingly.

They were also conditioned for years with nonsense like "no cell phones on, no wifi, for the entire flight", than saw that rescinded later. Or the TSA seizing tweezers and other harmless items, then backing off later. They've been conditioned that the rules aren't always sensible, even though some clearly are.
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