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Swelling Macbook Pro Battery

I've had this MBP since November of 2008, and in the past month, I've noticed that the battery is swelling. Visibly, it is not that large, however, it does not fit inside the MBP unibody case without having the back piece that covers the battery partially separated from the case. This is rather annoying, but the reason this is such an issue is that the battery is now large enough that it is pushing on the trackpad, making it nearly impossible to touch the trackpad without making a click. My computer is out of warranty, but I feel that because this isn't standard wear and tear, it is clearly a flaw in Apple's batteries, I should not have to pay $130 for a replacement. However, every attempt I have made to talk to a real person over the phone or via email has been unsuccessful. Do you think Apple will replace the battery for free, and how should I go about speaking to someone at Apple about this without paying $49 for phone support?

Thanks,

David

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Dec 21, 2010 2:45 PM

65 replies

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 30, 2014 1:49 AM in response to GirlInKS

What on earth is your question?

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jun 30, 2014 4:25 AM in response to GirlInKS

I recommend that you retain the distinguished firm of Dewey, Cheatham & Howe. They specialize in situations such as yours.

Ciao.

Jan 20, 2015 12:49 PM in response to harmlessgoat22

I have a MacBook Pro 6,2 15" unibody 2010 model.

For about 7 months now, my trackpad button wasn't able to click, requiring a good deal of force to get it to budge.

Separately, I bought a new HD SSD hybrid to increase capacity to 1TB. I installed it and it was working well for about 2 months then it suddenly failed. I popped open the computer to remove the drive and have it repaired when I noticed that my battery was swollen.

At first, I thought it was normally like that, but then I tried to press the trackpad button without the battery installed and noticed that it was the battery that was causing that particular problem.

I don't know if it also caused the HD to fail, I don't see how it could, but I suppose anything is possible.

I ordered a new battery on Amazon. I don't need this computer to last much longer, and I don't need battery life as this thing is chained to my desk and it essentially a desktop computer, so I'm hoping the replacement battery serves this purpose.

I just wanted to register the fact that I am yet another Macbook Pro customer who has this swelling battery problem (among other problems, notable the video card crashing issue which triggered Apple to recall the whole **** motherboard on this particular model machine).

Jun 13, 2015 9:36 AM in response to harmlessgoat22

I must say Apple does make a swell battery. I have a 17" Macbook pro that has had two batteries swell. The first time that it swelled it was replaced without question. This time I was told no replacement unless I pay $130. I had to take it to a genius to get the battery out of the computer. I waited three hours at Brea Mall's Apple store and was then told that this swelling is normal. Yes sir he said that it is a safety feature because as a battery wears out the electrolyte swells and this battery has contained the toxic electrolyte rather than letting it destroy the computer. If he wasn't a genius I would have wondered about that. Other than cigarettes and fireworks, I can't think of another product that destroys itself and that is considered normal.

It's okay if they think that they are geniuses but I would prefer that they not think that I am a dummy.

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 13, 2015 10:09 AM in response to Tigerloose

Tigerloose wrote:

Other than cigarettes and fireworks, I can't think of another product that destroys itself and that is considered normal.

Gasoline, not only is it normal, it's essential.

Swelling Macbook Pro Battery