New Macbook 12 inch - Swollen Battery

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Level 1

1 points

New Macbook 12 inch - Swollen Battery

Hi everyone,

I bought the New MacBook for my dad in June 15. He started using it end of August and instantly loved it. Two weeks ago the back case started separating and I took in today to the apple store and they said its probably a swollen battery. The gap is increasing day by day.

They want to replace the back case and the battery. I tried looking online for similar issues with other new MacBooks but couldn't find any.

Is it unfair that I ask for a replacement a 4 month old laptop?? Unfortunately my dad and I are the kind of people who will not feel right with a device that has been played around with. Any advice on this matter? I want him to be able to use and like his laptop with confidence. His old Macbook Pro never required anything and after 5 years its still going strong.

Thanks for your help in advance.

MacBook, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Jan 3, 2016 2:39 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 3, 2016 4:14 PM in response to mokal1

You can have the problem repaired under sn active warranty if you take it to your local Apple Store. They will not replace the computer if it can be repaired. Just because the battery is defective does not in any way indicte the computer is, too.

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Answer 2

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Jan 3, 2016 4:14 PM in response to mokal1

The longer you wait to get it repaired, the more damgage can occur. Don't wait any longer, it will continue to swell.

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Answer 3

mokal1 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 3, 2016 2:52 PM in response to Lanny

Thanks for your prompt replies.

@Kappy: I'm just going to give into the repair.

@Lanny: Unfortunately they don't have the parts in stock at the apple store near me, they will arrive in a couple of days. I'm very disappointed at the quality of their phones and laptops these days.

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Answer 4

mokal1 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 3, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Kappy

With all due to respect to your point view, I think I should be able to use an $1800 laptop without having someone disassemble it and put it back together after its case separated spontaneously.

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 3, 2016 3:13 PM in response to mokal1

It isn't my viewpoint. It's Apple's. Read your warranty. The case did not separate spontaneously. It was separated by the swollen battery.

If you have a tire blowout on your car do you complain to the dealer that you don't think you should be forced to drive a $20,000 car that has had a tire replaced? That is kinda silly, don't you think?

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Answer 6

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

Jan 3, 2016 3:29 PM in response to mokal1

Unfortunately they don't have the parts in stock at the apple store near me, they will arrive in a couple of days.

They should have taken it in for repair immediately so that the bottom panel could be removed to prevent further damage. If it is allowed to continue to swell, you risk having the keyboard and trackpad damaged as well.

To further Kappy's analogy, that would be like contnuing to drive the car, with the tire blowout, until you wreck the wheel and the front suspension.

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Answer 7

mokal1 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 3, 2016 4:13 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy. I don't agree, because in this case the battery involves dismantling the whole thing, its not something you simply replace as the apple employee kindly pointed out, particularly on the new Macbook. And I'm one of those people who likes everything sealed and factory standard. It is what it is though, I don't have a choice, I'm waiting on the spare part.

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Answer 8

mokal1 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 3, 2016 4:14 PM in response to Lanny

Thanks Lanny, it was there call. They don't have the spare part, and my dad can't last a day without his laptop. No choice there.

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Answer 9

my ginger

Level 5

4,904 points

Jan 4, 2016 11:08 AM in response to mokal1

Did they actually tell you it was alright to keep using it till the part arrived? At the very least the could have removed the battery or replaced it while waiting. I'm not apple. just a thought.

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Answer 10

mokal1 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 6, 2016 7:25 PM in response to my ginger

Yes they did, and now it's screwed on the inside and they need to replace a logic board.

They still insist on the absurd car analogy. Battery = tires, and I accepted that. Logic board=engine, apparently that's cool too. Not buying Apple anything again.

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Answer 11

Jan 27, 2016 1:55 AM in response to mokal1

Have the same problem with a 2 month old MacBook Pro.

Apple Perth, Western Australia said they'd never seen this before and it had never happened and basically called me a liar. After I complained they've decided to repair it for free, rather than the AU$761 they quoted.

If it's any help, I discovered the damaged part after a flight from London to Dubai

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