Another PowerBook violently explodes
By Ryan Block 
posted Aug 6th 2006 3:32AM
posted Aug 6th 2006 3:32AM
[Via Cult of Mac]
Please note: If you're a current Engadget commenter, you do not need to re-register. Simply login and you will be prompted to select a username.
I just stumbled on this looking for a battery for my PowerBook.
I can't be bothered to read the whole thread, but from what I did read, nobody commented on the fact that the damage done from the "exploding battery" was not particularly close to where the battery is situated, which is down the centerline!!
Impossible for the "damage" to be in this location. Apparently it doesn't take much to scam.
Russell
The page linked from the picture is wrong. Correct URL.
Only a matter of time before one explodes on someone's lap....
*ouch*
or on a passenger jet !
I can only imagine all the lawsuits on the horizon if the problem continues.
This is a scam. That's the same dude who was running that "smash my ipod" thing or whatever last year. He torched it on purpose to try to scam Apple or to get attention.
What are you basing that on V8v? I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just curious where you saw the connection. Heh on the Cult of Mac page it was said that this happened to the poster's sister's friend. I wish I had a sister now... FREE MACS FOR ALL!
- Tony R.
That "Smash My iPod" guy is a loser.
I wonder if the FAA will ever ban Li-ion batteries on planes. If they do they better put plugs in all seats.
I'm wondering, if this is true, why nobody reporting this? This is really a serious explosion, and it could happen anytime on anyone, the person should already file a lawsuit against Apple and probably got millions of compensation...
but instead, the person post the pictures on Flickrs... and nobody reporting this ... why?
would you sue canon if the duracells in your camera exploded? no. apple doesnt make the batteries.
Max: It really doesn't matter who made the batteries - if Apple supplied the batteries with the laptop, they are liable. Apple would just then sue the makers of the battery.
Apple aren't liable here, the person mustn't have replaced the battery, for FREE, apple was offering replacements and this guy mustn't have got one, his own fault
Well considering how that table it was on looks at least we know that the case did it's job by dissipating heat. I hope that this never happens while someone is using it, it'd be hospital time for them and a instant lawsuit for probably both the laptop and battery manufacturer.
You said 'fucking' too, dookie... oh wait. Fuck.
So what I don't understand is why apple still has this problem. Don't they contact peeps with the problem, otherwise why bother registering your computer, (warranty repairs, recalls, things like this). It can never be left to the consumer to keep track of the 1,000's of recalls, but if Apple told this person (or anyone) "you have bad batteries, the can catch fire, will give you new safe ones, bring or send them back" what am I missing here?
Am I the only that noticed after the jump, the pic of the battery bay looks like it has a ton of AA batteries stufed in it? Whats with the multiple "cylinder" looking things in the battery bay? I smell bullshit.
"would you sue canon if the duracells in your camera exploded? no. apple doesnt make the batteries." by Max.
No, you would not take legal action against Canon in this case, (although you might if the design in the camera did not address this as a possibility and warned me that this could be an outcome if I used Duracell or Brand "X". In that case, Cannon would have liability.)
The difference here is we don't have a choice in brand names of the batteries when we buy a notebook, (If ever there was a good reason to abandon the Labtop name, this story is it.)
If left up to the public, would you buy a "brand name" battery pack or for half the price a generic? There is no such choice. Apple or Dell or whomever makes this choice, not the consumer. So your example is not valid in this case. I can buy any brand of consumer batteries and if they catch fire, I have a problem. That's not what this is about, at all.
I think people are forgetting that Apple had a recall on these batteries. It voids you warranty and all liabilities not to comply with recalls. If Apple contacts you about a recall (the will), they provide a free replacement (they do), and you still don't comply, what do you expect?
Think about it. If this was Dell then everyone would be like "Stupid crappy Dell". But now that it's Apple there are many people saying "It can't be true!". Batteries are made of chemicals, sometimes chemicals explode.
I hope this proves a point to all the 'die-hard' fanboys - Every company can make bad products.
That doesn't look like a violent sxplosion. That's a fire. It was just smokin' pretty good.
To the poster who complained about cylinders in the battery,
It's a Li-ion battery. It's made up of 1.2 volt cylindrical cells. Lithium polymer batteries are the only type of battery in the world that don't use cylindrical cells.
Intrepid,
"Batteries are made of chemicals, sometimes chemicals explode."
Thank you for that dangerous oversimplification. Retard.
Here is why it is fake.....the damn laptop has been around for way too long for this not to be a mass problem. If I had to guess I would say this is a torch job. I have that exact powerbook (maybe different mhz not 100% sure) and the laptop doesn't get hot at all unless I place in on a pillow or something like that when I am using it.
I think this is a scam, I know it is possible but the fact that the book hasn't been made for over a year and now all of a sudden they are blowing up.
I say Shenanigans!!!!
Happened recently in Norway as well. Guy brings Powerbook to work, it starts emitting smoke, and within seconds 3ft high flames. The colleagues panic and extinguish the flames. According to the article, Apple have promised to replace the Powerbook and all other items damaged in connection with this fire. See link and pictures below from Swedish newspaper:
http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,866880,00.html
Pooz, many batteries have lots of little battery cylinders inside. Have you ever opened your laptop battery to see what is actually inside? Or even a standard 9V battery?
Man, a lot of people are so sure this is real or fake or whtever based on lame-ass assumptions.
Guess that brings a whole new meaning to the term PowerBook.
I agree. I think that this is completely fake. All of a sudden when MacBook batteries start getting hot, PowerBook ones start blowing up? I find that a little to convenient.
There is a good reason why these Macs are exploding. It's a Microsoft Conspiracy. Windows people are causing the exploding Macs by having large psychic sessions. They all get together and focus their mental powers on blowing up somebody's Mac. I snuck into one once. Now I'm being followed, they are trying to take me away away. They're trying to take me away...
Weird... Apple laptops started spontaneously exploding only after the first reports of the Dell notebooks catching fire and/or exploding.
To the mystery machine...
i blame dell.
apple ftw!
I don't believe any of these exploding, burning Powerbook stories either. I painstakingly translated the Swedish news story and found that the "moose" (whatever that means, probably some Swedish slang for malcontent) that initially reported this, was eventually sacked. Then whoever sacked him was sacked, for "making credits" (probably Swedish slang for taking credit that was not due). Anyway, Sweden has lovely lakes, a fine telephone system, and many furry animals, but I wouldn't take their reports of exploding computers too seriously.
As for the companies, Apple and Dell and all the rest are a pain. Apple is a pain that makes mostly really good stuff and Dell is a pain that mostly makes crap. Still not a hundred percent either way. I guess the long tail media makes it easier to see this, if not to understand it.
Gregbert: Maybe it's actually running Windows on these Macs that caused them to blow up. Sounds more convincing than your "Conspiracy" thing. :p
If that Powerbook was only a year old, I don't think its battery was covered by the recall. The battery recall applies to batteries sold, and included in new Powerbooks, between January 2004 and August 2004. You know, weird stuff going to happen; maybe this is just a single incident related to an idiosyncratic defect.
you people crack me up!! haha!! its just incredible.
I think the guy should report this and sue Apple for endangering people life for not making their product safe.
"But", if he didn't so meaning this can't be prove true, then...
You know, I really do not want to say it's real or not, but if I'm the one who have this accident, it's trumatic enough to do whatever I can to get my compensation or bring the responsible party to the forefront.
For the part about media, is there really so much fanfare and Apple friendly throughout the channels? Last time I check, it's just the opposite. True that there's much fanfare on the user's side, but not the media side. This should make a hot and dramatic story that get lots of clicks. CNet and Zdnet will be the first one jump on it...
Again, can it prove real?
I also heard a story about the power supply explosion of a Power Mac, and the person who said it's his friend had it and cause the damage of his hearing... but again, if it's real, I'll sue the company and have lots of press out there (come on, it's hearing damage!!!) but , nothing... does it make any sense to you???
http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/28/how-to-rebuild-your-laptop-battery/
hmmm wierd, the inside of an Li battery looks like it could have smaller batteries inside of it. I've seen many laptop batteries that look like AA batteries inside. quit defending apple so much, these new macbooks are prone to problems, they have swithced out our entire stock of laptops twice now because of all of the issues people have been having at compusa. apple needs to get is stuff together before someone does get hurt.
I usually leave my laptop in hibernate under my bed, plugged in. I'm thinking now maybe I should keep it somewhere else, but I can't imagine where. Is it really possible that this can happen even if the laptop isn't plugged in or turned on? If so, it seems nowhere is safe.
Apple Fan boys are such a-holes, they care more in defending a life threatening flaw in their holy Apple than the potential harm this flaw can have on a person's life. Grow up a-holes and take a grip on reality, Apple products are flawed because they are made by humans not gods.
"Apple products are flawed because they are made by humans not gods." - don
What?? You mean that the Apple products are made by the people in the sweatshops in China, not from the God, Steve Jobs?
Apple zealots, to your battle stations!!!
BTW, a very small hole in one LiIon cell can cause this on either a Dell or a Mac. If you wanted to recreate this all it would take is a very small drill bit. So many of these have come in right on top of each other that I'm wondering if some folks have just decided that it's a easy way to get a new laptop.
Someone mentioned above that LiIon batteries are often composed of AA sized cells which are 1.2v. Partially true, they are that size but usually cells are around 3.7V. Trust me, if you could easily buy AA sized Lithium Ion cells which were 1.2V, you'd have them in your digital camera.
Adam
Guys guys guys... There is so much bashing of Dell, Apple and whoever else here whenever something like this happens, and lots of stupid name calling. But take a step back and look at the big picture :
This is a problem not isolated to one manufacturer, and battery combustion does not know platform loyalties.
We've seen Dell notebooks have this problem. We've seen some older (and newer) Apples have this problem too. It's clear that the problem isn't manufacturer, but Lithium Ion battery technology in general... so if you have a notebook with a lithium ion battery, and if you own any modern notebook, you surely do, be aware that this could be a problem, and pay attention to battery recalls. sheesh.
I have a question, does apple still contact you about the recall if you don't register you product? If you don't register how else could they contact you about a recall?
Imagine! The laptop explodes on someones lap while watching a video! (If you know what I mean) Then the person will suffer greatly and reget ever buying one of these PowerBooks again!
Think about it. If this was Dell then everyone would be like "Stupid crappy Dell". But now that it's Apple there are many people saying "It can't be true!".
-Intrepid
Agreed.
Um. Is it just me or do those holes in the table look like a nice flame would fit right up in there... Real or not. I for one welcome our exploding overlords.
Okay, I know this is something that really does happen sometimes b/c it happened to me a couple years ago with an old IBM Laptop, but THIS particular picture is faked. The main reason I say so is because of the shape of the holes on the right half of the picture here at the top of the thread, the holes are way too perfect. If it really was a battery meltdown, the hole would be oblong in shape and there would be evidence around the hole of more acid that got onto other parts of the matrerial and caused some deterioration without causing holes. I mean when was the last time you poured water on the ground and it made a perfect circle?
The best chance for a battery to explode would be for the voltage regulator in the supply to fail and provide to much voltage to the battery being charged. This is the most common failure of batteries I have seen. Sure every now and these you get a faulty battery on the line but it is pretty rare. Apple did a recall in may of '05 for battery problems. If it just now "exploded" I hope the person that didn't act on the recall is disfugured for life :)
It is funny how no one is very concerned about the barrery on their motherboard exploding. They have been using li-on batteries there for years.
Yikes, his is totally frightening esp. since PC makers are considering going all laptop all the time. Dell has a horrible record of battery recalls and it doesn't seem that it is going to let up.
The baffling and maddening part of it all is that we have to pay for this! We should really be about trying to have some recourse or at best REFUNDS for irresponsible manufacturing. Computers are starting to be like Bick lighters - very disposable - but far too expensive !
signed: Designista
http://www.FreefromScandal.com
http://www.existentialist-lcd.blogspot.com
Carry on (for real)...
Might have something to do with the way these thin notebooks bend during use. If I look at this 15" then I see imprints of the keys (also on the right, the left prints seem to be from the fire) in the screen. This can be evidence that it has been put in a bag while frequently being under high pressure: basically pressing the screen lid from the back in the keys and thus imprinting the keys in the screen. If you do it a lot, the whole chasis eventually bends and the notebook becomes a kind of a bowl. MIght not be a lot, but maybe enough pressure on the battery?
I have a first generation G4 17" powerbook myself (so it's turning 4 this year) and I use it heavily. It shows: scratches everywhere, even a dent in the left corner (fell off a table some day). I travel a lot with it on planes and always only use one carry-on .. so that contains: powerbook + books + some clothing + cameras. I use screenprotection, so don't have the keyimprints in the screen. But I do have the 'bowl effect' ... the bottom of my notebook is scratched in the middle (right on the battery of my 17") because it has become the mainpart it rests on during use on flat surfaces.
Needless to say that I really love my 17". Best computer I have ever had and will be using it until it explodes, dies or Apple introduces a nice replacement.
A comment on the norwegian case.
I tipped Engadget on it, giving them pics and a translation of a norwegian article. It was also on the TV news, so it looks quite real.
The battery started burning, then 'jumped' out of its slot and landed on an external keyboard. The Mac was standing on a pedestal/stand type thing about 10 inches over the table. The large amount of corrateral damage in this case makes me think it's real.
wow. apple is really going down the shitter...
Wow. I know it's been going on for awhile but it seems to be gathering momentum.
engadget:
"...so return your frickin defective batteries, ok?"
I think defective are the brains of those whom the batteries explode! Those spoiled kids or morons with similar limited mental abilities, lack of self-discipline and clueless about handling a device safely... The notebook is just one more item in their possession that has been exploded!
It seems to me that the problem may not be poor battery construction, but moreso the demand for more power and duration.
It seems that we need a paradigm shift to either a totally different power supply (fuel cell? solar? kinetic? capacitance?), or more likely a reduction in power demand.
If a processor (not to mention the screen and spindles) needs a minimum of 50Watts to run, then if you want to run it for a few hours you need to store a buttload of energy.
Bombs also store buttloads of energy.
Hey guys lets check this out, last time I check Lithium Ion batteries have a warning label on all of them that it can explode after reaching a certain temperature or it touching water. Also, batteries are batteries they mostly die out or sometimes very rarely explode. And god damn, this isnt like its the first time a notebook battery exploded and it wont be the last and I am a fan of macs but there not god-like and I will never defend any notebooks battery. You just never know when this shit happens.
"Thank you for that dangerous oversimplification. Retard." - LukeA
What I said was dangerous? Are my words going to explode like a defective laptop battery? Either way, hardly a reason to call me a retard...
The thing is, people don't realize, weather you lappy has a "i" name or is slick white or has an OS named after a felin, it still is made in China by underpayed people and has the same components. Maybe the apple lappies are more brone to exploding, but the difference between PC users and Apple is that the PC users admit there are flaws in there comps. I really like Apple computers but I really don't like the hole cult serounding it, it's kinda like doing everything backwards and isolating yourself in your little corner....
i just moved my powerbook off my lap
Wow. Who needs thermite when you've got Li-Ion?
While the Apple fanboys who are proclaiming this to be fake (based on their opinions alone) are being a little silly, it's equally ridiculous to see posts from crazed Apple bashers who decide to proclaim Apple as some kind of evil sweatshop-running laptop-bomb corporation out to destroy the world.
Seriously people, grow the fuck up. Companies aren't your favorite comic book characters, they're not invincible superheros, but they're not hell bent on the destruction of the world either.
Yes, Apple builds stuff in China in factories that don't pay particularly good wages, but uhh so does every other company in the friggin' universe. Plus it's not like those 100+ other countries out there have super awesome working conditions-you think your Indonesian/Mexican/Guatemalan made sweater was made in a nicer factory than your iPod? Put down the frickin' crack pipe-Chinese electronics factories are paradises in comparison to a real sweatshop. Just because they don't have 19 kinds of water for you to choose from (like Google does) doesn't mean it's automatically hell on earth.
And yeah, Apple is liable if this is happening, but this has happened to pretty much every electronic device that uses Lithium-ion batteries. Of course back in the old days Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries would catch fire all the time because they hadn't quite gotten overcharge protection down right yet. So batteries catching fire isn't exactly some brand new phenomenon.
Oh and finally, the chances of this happening to you are still pretty infintessimal. Moreover, if it's on your lap you'll probably notice it heating up well before it gets to explodingly hot. And I would hope that you'd be smart enough to get it away from your lap prior to it actually catching fire.
Which btw, probably explains why nobody has blown their leg off yet even though this is happening to Dell's and Apple's.
max.
the Battery in every Apple laptop is Apple branded, with Apple Logo on it, just like the computer itself.
Apple do not even make their own computers, Asus and another Chinese comany did, Apple only provide the design.
So, of course if the explosion is true, Apple sould be sued.
Where are the lawsuits?
I guess if it was a recall, they wouldn't have much recourse. Don't know the guy, no reason to believe or not believe him.
It's the internet after all fokes
Does it only happen to Apple computers?
It was a cellulose battery. The Americans are here...
I thought you people were like, i dunno, smart/hackers...
this is to all the people who make their retarded assumptions loud and clear:
Li-ion/li-polymer batteries are;
1: sensitive to heat
2: require a special protection circuit for charging
3: combust when its contents are exposed to oxygen
4: are KNOWN to combust VIOLENTLY when improperly designed chargers are employed.
Heres a video of what im talking about here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3690260570423705609&q=Li+ion+batteries
The reason youre seeing the "Burning Mac" problem on some, but not all macs is simply, Apple can get these batteries from dozens of manufactures. Two notebooks with consecutive serials could contain batteries from two manufacturers. Don't be fooled by the battery casing that has the apple logo; the real batteries (the cylyndrical objects you see where the battery was in the pictures) are inside the casing and as i said earlier, are purchased from someone else; not made by apple.
My theory:
If apple recieved said batteries from a diferent manufacture, they may have not changed the protection circuit to match these batteries. The batteries may have overheated due to the protection circuit not "knowing" these new batteries, Causing them to swell, break open and combust in the presence of oxygen.
Thats just my theory... i you wanna belive this is all a conspiracy formulated by mad cows and bill gates who secretly hate Apple and are attempting to smear their name, then you probably deserve being an idiot.
why don't you all just face it, apple doesn't provide you with the best batteries in the world and they never will. look at the ipod, SURE it has a large amount of space, and HEY now they can play video but the thing dies in about 2 hours and in a year, you'll have to replace it. this incident doesn't really surprise me too much, neither does the dell one.
apple has gone down the shitter. this happens to ALL apple notebooks its just most think it's normal. ok - the above implosion could never be considered normal but i'm currently awaiting my FOURTH macbook after each and every one has either had its case ruptured due to misapplication of thermal grease, started whining due to a faulty logic board or scorched my knees and resulted in a liquified keyboard due to overheating problems. Definately not the Apple I remember : (
My Powerbook exploded on my lap and APPLE put my life and my three month old baby life in danger! I'm making a video and sending it to youtube so that eopla can see that APPLE doesn't care about their consumers. My Powerbook or batteries were not even in the recall list. If anyone is interested in emailing me to tell me their story, please do so at vms@modernloftnyc.com
Thanks