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Level 1

25 points

Intermittent vibration on Macbook Air when connected to power supply

Just got a 13" MBA about ten days ago. It works fine, but once in a while I feel a strange vibration when I put my hands on the aluminum case (but not on the track pad). This only happens when it is connected to the power supply (I am using the 3 prong adapter) and it happens somewhat intermittently. I've read that some people had this problem on the old MBA's when travelling and using 220V but this is happening on my normal house plug. Because it's intermittent it's also hard to test for solutions. I have three days left on the 14 day exchange to exchange it, so I may well do that, but I thought I'd also look for answers here if anyone has any.

Macbook Air Late 2010, 13", Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Nov 26, 2010 7:06 PM

80 replies

Andrex

Level 1

0 points

May 29, 2014 7:19 AM in response to kirkegrd

I have the same issue. It comes and go's. I've experienced the buzz in the Apple store on the demo macbooks.

If a touch another laptop while i'm touching my MBP, it get the buzz on the other machine.

Aug 10, 2014 9:29 AM in response to kirkegrd

I am also facing the same problem on my mac book air 13" but I had noticed that when I plug in the 2 pin charger then only it vibrates but when one use the 3 pin charger which comes as an extension chord with mac it is working fine.I think the problem is of ground connection due which mac releases a little current on the body.😉

ONCanuck

Level 1

20 points

Oct 11, 2014 1:39 AM in response to kirkegrd

I too travel with my MacBook Air (4 years old and purchased in Canada) to areas where 220V is used. The vibration occurs on the exterior of the body underneath the track pad and slightly to the right only when plugged into an outlet. I have found if I work with the laptop on my actual lap the vibration stops. As soon I place the laptop on a desk, however, the vibration resumes. Another "fix" for you to perhaps consider.

wozwoz

Level 1

0 points

Oct 17, 2014 8:39 AM in response to carl wolf

> There is a lasting fix. Use the 3-prong AC cord, and assure that it is plugged into a properly grounded AC receptacle.

No - a lasting fix is for Apple to supply the 3-pin plug (and not the 2-pin plug that shocks people).

May 9, 2016 12:56 AM in response to carl wolf

This correct. I swapped out the two prong to three prong extension and the "vibration" has gone.

Intermittent vibration on Macbook Air when connected to power supply