My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames • Hacker News Board

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#141

Post by runjake » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 2:35 PM UTC

coldtea wrote: post #15

> I produce music for a living - FIVE days without my computer is unacceptable Then get two computers as a backup? While here it's Apple's issue, it could just as well be your fault that the laptop died (e.g. dropping it). Then you wouldn't have any laptop, but also no justification to demand an immediate replacement or deem not receiving one "unacceptable"...

"Just buy two!"

Another case of someone passing the blame from a manufacturer of faulty hardware (Apple) to the customer.

Is there a going term for this phenomena? There should be, by now.

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#142

Post by lancesells » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 2:36 PM UTC

simion314 wrote: post #70

sureaboutthis wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Absolutely not! I haven't a clue why you think that. My point is, the guy I responded to complains that he can get his commodity hardware fixed anywhere while his Apple needs to be taken to a "specialty" store as if they were the same thing.

can you respond to this :c an you get it unscheduled repairs from Apple in the same day? I had more then 1 point, let me be more clear: 1 I had more then one repair shop in a small city, so I have choices 2 I got the unscheduled issue diagnosed and fixed in max 2 hours 3 I even made a GPU upgrade and I had choices AMD or NVIDIA Btw even living in a village I can get things fixed like any other people, like when a new…

That's great that everything works so well for your use-case but this isn't a PC vs Apple issue. There's no need to repeatedly try to convince anyone that your way is better. We all live different lives and make different choices.

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#143

Post by tyingq » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 2:37 PM UTC

bilbo0s wrote: post #12

vallsurf wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difference here is a single (known) instance of a 4 year old product vs widespread issues with a brand new one on release.

Well, I think it's more likely that the fact that it's a notebook will make this less of a PR issue. HN is kind of a unique place, but out in reality land the set of people who take their 15" notebook with them everywhere, including the airplane, is much smaller than the number of people who take their phones with them everywhere. So it's hard to capture the public imagination with a notebook. Apple releasing a new p…

Also, I don't keep my laptop in my front pocket, inches from my groin.

I suspect that was at least part of the emotional response in the Samsung incident.

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#144

Post by kabdib » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 2:37 PM UTC

busyant wrote: post #53

TheSpiceIsLife wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

@coldtea’s advise is still sound. If you pour cold tea on your only laptop at 7pm just before a gig, buying and setting up a new laptop could prove difficult.

> If you pour cold tea on your only laptop at 7pm just before a gig, buying and setting up a new laptop could prove difficult. Your hypothetical is not consistent with the redditor's complaint. The redditor implies that he can survive without the laptop for a day or two--but things become problematic around five days, so I think @tiew9Vii's point-of-view is reasonable. It's also consistent with my situation. I make m…

You have your data backed up, yes? Just curious.

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#145

Post by napsterbr » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 2:37 PM UTC

el_cujo wrote: post #138

ben7799 wrote: post #126

This started to happen to mine at work too. Luckily I got it down to IT before it started on fire. They took the hard drive out. Opening the case released pressure on the swelling battery. As soon as it was open the battery started swelling faster. The case could never have been closed again. The whole enclosure bent like a soda can. I should have figured out earlier what was going on. The first sign was the computer…

>the 2018 one I have right now since they can't be opened with a screwdriver and the internal SSD is soldered. I'm going a little offtopic, but I cannot believe this. I haven't owned a Mac since having a 2010 MBP (which I loved dearly for 6 years), but I cannot imagine owning a laptop that doesn't allow me to switch the internal drive. It was annoying enough with all of the screws on the 2010 model. I'm sure there is…

> I cannot imagine owning a laptop that doesn't allow me to switch the internal drive.

+1. One of the (many) reasons I'll never own a Mac.

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#146

Post by j-c-hewitt » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 2:44 PM UTC

SomeOldThrow wrote: post #123

Sean1708 wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Saying that something is professional negligence is not a personal attack.

Directing that at a person is , and there seems to be no justification for the implication of moral failing.

Yes, negligence is a moral failing. Do you want a negligent doctor? Do you want a negligent lawyer? How about a negligent accountant?

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#147

Post by bsg75 » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 2:47 PM UTC

Isn't this always going to be a risk with high energy density batteries made from components that are volatile, especially in oxygen?

I suspect that the quality of manufacture will be a significant factor in mitigation of that risk, but is there a currently available battery design that produces enough power for enough time without carrying some risk of ignition?

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#148

Post by IanCal » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 2:52 PM UTC

DavideNL wrote: post #92

c0nfused wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a recall on now according to Reuters. Apple recalls certain older MacBook Pro units https://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1TL2BW

The model is "MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)" and here is the link to check your serial number: https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall I have this model and my Macbooks serial number is not "eligible". Let's hope for the best... :'(

If you're in the EU you have quite a lot of rights when it comes to repair, it's worth looking into.

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#149

Post by dschuetz » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 2:55 PM UTC

This is a new low for Apple. A lot of memes were dedicated to exploding Samsung Galaxy Note devices and that has been laughing stock for years now. Bursting batteries in a "Pro" line of Apple devices is unacceptable. If you don't want to set your pants on fire don't buy pro from Apple.

Re: My MacBook Pro exploded and burst into flames

#150

Post by snowwrestler » Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 3:01 PM UTC

trevman wrote: post #99

russtrotter wrote: post #78

I'm sitting here typing this response on a 2016 MBP (the first gen with the butterfly keyboard and touchbar). Due to some thermal issues, I unscrewed the cover to blow the dust out and discovered my batteries are all swelling. Yikes. I wonder if there's a follow-on recall in a year or so for this generation. I bought a battery replace kit from ifixit so I might kick the can down the road for a bit longer, time will t…

I do think it's interesting that the quality of the MBP have fallen so much. Obviously, they have improved specs, but my 2013 MBP is still going strong. I am kinda nervous about the battery swelling; maybe I should open it up and take a look.

I think this just happens sometimes. I have a 2008 Macbook Pro (first 15" "unibody" model) and its user-replaceable battery pack started swelling after it got pretty old. I took it to the Apple Store and they said it's not uncommon for old batteries. I bought a new one, handed them the old one, and was on my way.