Here you go, another case of
bloating 17-inch MacBook Pro batteries this time from our friend Pablo. After a few weeks of slight bloating, this is what he discovered this morning following an overnight charge. Think it's an isolated issue do you? Then perhaps you missed the
"me too" comment revolt in our original posting a few weeks back. Now, what say you Apple, time for an exchange? After all, just like your
15-inch MBP batteries, it's safe to say that these also do not meet your "
high standards for battery performance." Or do they?
Note: pictures are right-left inverted since they were taken with MBP webcam.
Update: Need more evidence? Check the bloated 17-inch MBP battery pics harvested from comments:
Spain and
Disko and
Frank and
Matt W and
Max K and
Brandon S and
Casper and
Adam and
Antii. Last but not least,
several threads on
Apple's own support forum.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kent Pribbernow @ Apr 3rd 2007 9:41AM
One more reason why I won't buy an Apple portable...at least not yet. Right now I'm in the market for a low-cost consumer portable to use for basic tasks and to display work to my clients (I'm a web designer/developer). My heart was set on the white MacBook, but given the innumerable problems these notebooks suffer from (discoloring plastic that also develops serious cracks, overheating, random shutdowns, application instability, etc., etc., etc.,), combined with the fact that Apple is currently charging twice the price for half the hardware of competing portables, my credit card is staying put.
It absolutely kills me to say this because I am a huge Mac fan... but at this moment I lean towards an HP Pavilion dv6000t or Dell Inspiron 1505. If I am to pay more than $1k for a notebook, the damn thing better be reliable, and trouble-free. Only a fool would pay so much money for a product with known issues. MacBook is a lemon. Yes, I know some of you out there are happy MacBook owners, without any above stated issues. Count yourself lucky because the problems reported on various Mac forums are neither random or isolated.
I won't make any hasty decision in purchasing my next laptop, but I am steering clear of Apple for now. Unless MacBook gets a major rev treatment in the next months, I'm going with HP or Dell. The clock is ticking.
Hangebokhan @ Apr 3rd 2007 9:53AM
As a Dell user, I highly recommend against getting one if you want a reliable computer. I wouldn't get the mac either, but that is because both have the same number of problems. Dell's just aren't as publicized because people know that Dell tends to = crap.
Ignacio @ Apr 3rd 2007 11:40AM
"MacBook is a lemon. Yes, I know some of you out there are happy MacBook owners, without any above stated issues. Count yourself lucky because the problems reported on various Mac forums are neither random or isolated."
I have a white MacBook and haven't had *any* problems whatsoever (first gen model), and the university I (used to) attend bought many a few months ago and other than a dead-on-arrival battery that was quickly replaced, no issues yet.
ksmith @ Apr 4th 2007 10:05AM
I'd stay away from HP's dv series as well. I absolutely hated the track pad buttons. I never thought something like that would be a deal breaker, but it was. I guess if you use an external mouse exclusively, then it'd be okay. But those buttons were just awful. The LCD also had a lot of wash-out and the bezel surrounding it looked cheap. HP does a good job getting you the best specs for the money, but their quality leaves something to be desired. Sony made the sturdiest consumer laptop I could find. But then again, you'll end up paying the Sony tax, which is almost as much as the Mac tax.
Lucio @ Apr 4th 2007 12:14PM
Unlike what KSmith said, I currently have an HP Pavilion DV6233se, and I actually like it. Yes, the track pad button are kinda odd, bubbly and click. But soft, it is different from my Toshiba Satellite but it's nice. I'm writing this post on my Toshiba right now and my DV6233se is on right beside me. The difference I can note, the touchpad buttons, and the screen brightness. Both have WXGA displays, but the Toshiba is by far brighter and clearer. I think the bezel on the HP looks good though. Personally, I chose the HP cause it is white, for basically the same reasons as you, not wanting to get a MAC, albeit they are super sweet looking, everytime I go into the Apple store there are hoards of people bringing in the Apple products to get fixed and that was a big let off to me.
Anywho, the Hp is cool. I had webcam driver issues with it out of the box once I removed Hp's preinstalled Muvee software from it. Don't waste your time with HP tech support though. I know it's free, but they're useless, they'll just tell you to pack up the laptop and send it in for servicing and leave you without a laptop for 2 weeks. I can't believe how horrible tech support is these days. Enough rambling.
Hp dv6233se is a good laptop especially for its price, unbeatable I'd say, plus it comes with a remote which is just plain old cool.
Jessica @ Apr 8th 2007 4:46PM
I have a MBP and an HP.. (laptops)
My HP could be used as a defense mechanism because I seriously could probably seriously injure someone with this brick.
Jamar @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:57AM
Exactly- if you want reliable, Panasonic is the way to go. If you don't need an optical drive, go for the T5/R6 (especially the R6 if you feel that you'd have trouble with spilling water on the keyboard) otherwise go for the upper end (W5/Y5). If only their Chinese tech support was as responsive as their Japanese tech support- broken screen and still waiting for them to get parts from Japan since they don't sell the T5 in China (they're one model series behind Japan- 2 in the case of the R-type laptop).
surfwax95 @ Apr 3rd 2007 9:55AM
its tudsay and im durnk.
Peter Payne @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:06AM
Kent, actually the MacBook has been pretty solid. Remember that the % of Mac laptops with battery problems that you've seen is so small as to be incalculable. While the early MBPs had lots of issues, I've been tempted by the C2D Macbooks and Macbook Pros, which seem to be more reliable (and also cooler than my 1st gen MBP, which would be nice in the coming summer months).
JustinAndrew @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:08AM
Lemon, is a bit harsh. It's still a great machine. The batteries are really the major problem here.
My 1st gen MBP is kicking along really well, but the battery had to be recalled like the one in this article. However, my replacement IS TOTALLY DEAD. It doesn't even register as a battery at all. The lights are all filling up with light with the touch of the button, but it will not give the laptop any juice whatsoever.
Does anyone else have this issue? I've searched everywere online and can't find any sources.
Kent Pribbernow @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:09AM
Dell isn't seriously on my list actually. I just tossed them in my post for shock value! ;-) I have seen so many Inspiron failures in the past three years I wouldn't touch one. The Latitude line is more reliable, but extremely clunky.
One the whole, Dell portables are junk, and nothing to write home about in the aesthetics dept. The HP model I referred to is a damn nice laptop though. Even has a built-in cam.
Disko @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:10AM
I took photos of the same thing last week. 17" macbook pro battery: http://forums.mactalk.com.au/showthread.php?p=277753
Kent Pribbernow @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:21AM
@Peter
The show stopper for me is the cracking case issue, which still remains unresolved. Even new MacBook C2D users are reporting cracks after just A FEW WEEKS of buying the machine. If you haven't heard about this issue before do a bit of searching and you'll see photos that will scare the laptop bag off you. It starts out as a hairline crack and progressively worsens into portions of the case actually breaking off entirely. That problem has existed since MacBook first shipped in Jan. '06. And still remains unresolved with C2D MacBooks.
That is inexcusable.
supermeerkat @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:33AM
Oh right! A few isolated faults out of how many hundreds of thousands batteries = reason not to buy an apple. Using the same logic, one might surmise that since one dog a person, all dogs bite.
Idiots.
treetrunk @ Apr 3rd 2007 11:07AM
Firstly, you should really make sure you're not making any completely meaning-changing typos before you call other people idiots. Secondly, as has been pointed out, these are actually common problems most likely as a result of design faults (poor material selection, etc) and not a few isolated incidents. Thirdly, even after correcting your typing, your analogy is simply wrong, because "Apple laptops" is a lot more specific than "all dogs", and the number's we're talking about are far more than the "one dog" you speak of. A more apt analogy would be to surmise that because 100 rottweilers are known to have bitten people then rottweilers are likely to bite.
Brian @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:33AM
I think the reason for it is the new metal bottom on the batteries must trap in/create heat. The older PPC macs had plastic bottoms at least my pb g4 does, and there were never any problems with those.
supermeerkat @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:34AM
Whoops! I meant to say "one might surmise that since one bit dog a person, all dogs bite."
nuzzy @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:42AM
Had the same issue with a users 17" MB Pro. It hosed his system. Display had large bars/lines going through it and keyboard was unresponsive. I brought it to the "Genius Bar" and the guy said he's seen a lot of batteries, but never the whole machine geetting hosed.
Kent Pribbernow @ Apr 3rd 2007 10:51AM
Do your research, Supermeerkat... the problems are neither few nor isolated. These are widely reported manufacturing defects. Cracks which develop spontaneously are not some random anomaly. Neither is discoloring plastic, or overheating.
lotech @ Apr 3rd 2007 11:05AM
Old news - mine swelled 3 months ago, replaced. They had updated the recall notice to include those batteries - you all just missed it.
Sucks for sure but get over it - does every Apple recall have to become news on a gadget blog - next thing you should cover the Dog Food refund too.
Hyram H. @ Apr 3rd 2007 11:19AM
Apple laptops appear even more over-priced once you discover where they are made. Three Chinese manufacturers -- Quanta, Hon Hai, and Conpal.
These three factories source almost all components and do full assembly not just for Apple, but for Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, Compaq HP, Sony and Toshiba.
Apart from the case design and perhaps a custom ASIC or two, the only difference between an Apple and the other six brands is the badge.
Ignacio @ Apr 3rd 2007 11:43AM
"Quanta, Hon Hai, and Conpal."
Try Asustek.
primetime4 @ Apr 3rd 2007 11:23AM
I converted to Mac last year and picked up a new 15" MBP and have to say that everything has been fantastic. I could not be happier with reliability or build quality and I am a stickler for both. Swelling batteries was an issue when I made my purchase but I have never had problems. I did have my logic board swapped out for the quieter one but only because I knew it was available. Otherwise, I probably would have been satisfied. But I read and monitored the support forums daily and know that most of the issues mentioned have been addressed with the awesome care that Apple support delivers. This I thought was the biggest difference from all previous computer companies.
radson @ Apr 3rd 2007 12:34PM
I had a swelling battery with my 17" MacBook Pro last week and took it to the Apple Store in Bondi Junction Sydney. They just replaced it for a new one as it was under warranty. It was quite painless. I have had HP (cracked case), IBM (HDD failure), Dell (lcd problems), Gateway (HDD failure) and Sony(CPU failure) laptops. My next laptop will be an Apple. The software is so much better and more than makes up for the issue I had with the battery.
Ed @ Apr 3rd 2007 11:41AM
I've had a Dell D600 for several years now...and I have to say it's one of the most reliable machines I have ever owned. And the Dell service is incredible! I had the in-house repair service and my Bluetooth module stopped working. A Dell service agent arrived at my house with a new Bluetooth module and mother board. Replaced both and now everything is working again.
I personally own over a dozen working Dell computers from Pentium Pro 200 to my pair of XEON 3.4ghz slim desktops....and have had no issues with any of them. No support issues, no repair issues...no issues at all...I truely believe that people make their own problems and this is mostly true when dealing with technical items like computers!
Ed
web/gadget guru
itguy07 @ Apr 3rd 2007 11:46AM
For #1 - my wife has a white Macbook since last year this time and it's been flawless. No overheatings, random shutdowns, and it's still bright white.
Do yourself and stick away from Dell - their machines at ALL levels ARE GARBAGE!!!!
I'd also stay away from the low end - most of those sub $1k machines are not durable for real business use. There is a reason why there are business and consumer class machines!
ItGuy @ Apr 3rd 2007 11:51AM
"I've had a Dell D600 for several years now."
Sorry to hear that. Where I work we did a stint with Dell on the Desktop and had some D600/800's. UTTER GARBAGE in every way, from the creaking, deforming plastic to the warped cases to the keyboard that felt like it was held in place with foam pads.
Dell makes JUNK, plain and simple. I won't even discuss the 2 Dell servers we had nor the "Business desktops" that are utter GARBAGE.
But they sure keep the techs busy.
Neptune2603 @ Apr 3rd 2007 12:04PM
I've had a MBP C2D for 2 months now, problem free --- it's actually still in mint condition after heavy use.
If a few bad ones = OMG FEARRR DONT BUY!!?!!!!!!11!!!one!!
does
a lot of good experiences = POMG BUY TWO, ONE FOR EACH HAND?S?!
Mike @ Apr 3rd 2007 12:28PM
To the Engadget staff,
Very nice, unbiased reporting about the problem. No quips or snide remarks. Now let's see you do the same for a non Apple product please.
Thanks!
Thomas Ricker @ Apr 3rd 2007 2:07PM
Mike, you're kidding right?
http://www.engadget.com/search/?q=sony%20battery
Thomas
frank @ Apr 3rd 2007 12:28PM
same problem here...
http://www.electrobeans.de/archiv/2007/04/aufgeblasene_macbook_pro_17zol.html
:-(
rj @ Apr 3rd 2007 12:45PM
Our CEO had this happen just this morning.
paul @ Apr 3rd 2007 2:06PM
Hmm.
So Apple sold a million or two laptops, and a few of them developed problems. How surprising. Get a clue guys. That’s what a warranty is for.
It’s not as if this guy didn’t know his battery was having a problem as he seems to have been waiting “a few weeks” for it to do this, probably just so he can gain his 5 min of fame blogging about it. Pathetic.
Why didn’t he just RMA it?
ddaw735 @ Apr 3rd 2007 2:30PM
I would be so pissed if i bought a 2,000 dollar notbook that was kinda defective all mac's should be perfect for what they charge. You could say when a 300 dollar dell breaks that it was cheap. But with macs you pay a mac tax of up to $700 there should be better quality control.
Dresarius @ Apr 3rd 2007 3:17PM
My 17 inch Macbook Pro Battery has started swelling.
Oh, and it gets so hot that it burns me.
laron @ Apr 3rd 2007 4:50PM
this same thing happend to my ipod nano battery, and it poped the back case right off.
Johnny @ Apr 3rd 2007 6:00PM
Does anyone else get the feeling that supermeerkat is the first one to consider isolated incidents on Dells to be a MAJRO problem concerning the entire line of computers, if not the entire company?
The fact is, there are about as many, if not MORE problems with Apple computers than Dells. Lots and lots of people NEVER have a single issue with their Dell computers. Not one. Just like many Apple users never have a problem with theirs. Except hte Dells are a lot less money.
reedloar @ Apr 3rd 2007 7:30PM
My battery was much worse than those pictured, and after I realized what was going on, I removed it. After sitting on my desk for a week, it got severely worse!
Luckily I was still under my one year warranty. I stopped by my local Apple Store, and with no questions asked, they gave me a new battery.
If you are still under warranty, I recommend doing the same!
John @ Apr 3rd 2007 7:32PM
The problem would appear wide spread but that is a common misconception that appears across all consumer products. Of course the forums will be filled with these types of faults. I'm not gonna contribute to a post that says "My Macbook's battery is fine and I have no cracks" I'm gonna post when I actually have a problem.
I am in no way devaluing your concerns or issues with these faults (does Apple make it's own batteries anyway?) but the sky is not falling.
princessangry @ Apr 3rd 2007 8:42PM
I used to have a dell latitude 640 and the screen died within a year of owning it. It also overheated all the time and I had to shut it off after an hour of use. It also had alot of wifi problems under both windows and linux and was unable to get more then good even 3 feet away from the access point. I updated drivers, yadda yadda to no avail. I also noticed that any usb device while run with the ATI radeon software would blue screen but if I exited the ati software it would be fine. so I wentr with the windows driver instead. It woulds do the same thing when I would disconnect the AC power and use it off battery I would get the sop error blue screen and it would say it was the ati stuff that did it. I would not get a dell laptop ever again.
I am the proud owner of an acer aspire 1640 with 1.6Ghz centroni processor, 512MB RAM, 80GB HD, DVD-DL drive, Intel GMA950 128MB graphics,wifi 802.11g, and dual boot ubuntu linux and winderz xp. and I have no probs with this laptop so far I got it for only 500 dollars off someone on craigslist (I love that site I have gotten and sold alot from there) I got a new battery that is more then twice the milliamps (4400mA) and I get double the runtime! approx 6.5 hrs instead of the rated 3 with the 2000mA battery.
Tcrab @ Apr 3rd 2007 9:07PM
I have had a C2D Macbook and I have not had any problems what so ever.
Apple does a great job with macs and some defects will be expected. No one is perfect, but apple sure is close.
Evan @ Apr 3rd 2007 9:31PM
Someone needs some Beno.
Josh @ Apr 4th 2007 1:43AM
You can't necessarily blame Apple for this. They don't actually make the batteries themselves, they just design the container that it's put inside. This seems like a battery manufacturer problem, but I do agree that Apple should issue a recall of some sort on these defective batteries.
Matt @ Apr 4th 2007 1:47AM
I have 17" Macbook pro intel 1st generation, just 1yr old, battery just stopped working and is very slightly swollen, Apple have replaced it and said it was not one that was on the recall list....
Otherwise my laptop has worked fine, no over heating, fast, great screen. wifi has been a slight issue, it appears that 8011.g mode has a very poor range but in 8011.b mode is as good as any other laptop.
will be trying to persuade Apple to give me a 8011.n to replace the wifi card.
Given I refuse to use crappy windows and would miss Aperture, final cut, what other choice is there but buy the fastest laptop that will run the applications I need.
ne0 @ Apr 4th 2007 5:27AM
I cringe every time I read one of these - I bought a macbook back in Nov and so far no issues at all. I don't know what the percentage of issues are for apple laptops but so far I'm very happy with mine.
Matthew Arevalo @ Apr 4th 2007 9:03PM
Right, you know you can just go get this replaced at any Apple Store or Apple Reseller right?
A recall is not necessary. Just take some time and get it done. A small percentage of the batteries have an issue, Apple will fix it.
Riot Nrrrd @ Apr 8th 2007 9:10AM
I just found this page from Googling for "MacBook Pro battery".
I have a 1st-generation Core Duo 17" MacBook Pro, purchased new at the end of last May - so the computer has just passed the 10 month mark, approximately. I had reason to lift up the MacBook Pro to insert a Boot Camp CD-ROM a short while ago. Ordinarily, I keep it closed up in "clamshell" mode, and it rests on top of one of those tilted aluminum USB dual-fan cooling slabs. Ordinarily the computer runs about 134-148°F when idle in this arrangement. It is placed sufficiently close to a RAID enclosure that I have to tilt it upright to get access to the DVD drive.
Imagine my shock tonight when I went to lift it up and put the Boot Camp 1.2 CD-ROM in the drive, and found my battery bulging at the seams, looking EXACTLY like the pictures in this article!!!
This phenomenon is real folks, and it's just happened to me as well ... never had anything happen like this before, and I've owned Macs (including a TiBook and a 17" AlBook) since 1993.
mikeguru @ Apr 22nd 2007 11:58AM
My 17" MacBook Pro's battery swelled up severely while left on and running overnight. With a little prodding at the local Apple Store (had to get the store manager to help me in place of rude, so-called "Genius") to get AppleCare to overnight a replacement. Working fine ever since. They and AppleCare said (at the time) it was the first 17" battery they'd ever heard of to do this. Happened on 3/7/07.
real roark @ May 7th 2007 3:31AM
All you guys have just scared the hell out of me. My wife just got me a 17" macbookpro. I have been a pc user all my life, lusting after the macs. Now when i finally get it, i find myself making the critical error of reading this. Screwed? I hope as hell not.
Jess H. @ May 30th 2007 3:34PM
This morning I got into work and found my 17" MacBook Pro battery swollen identical to that in the photograph. It is a similar story to comments posted--after leaving powered on all night I came in to find it bloated. Yet, I typically always leave the MacBook running so this happened after about 1 year of use. I will be investigating replacement.....