Electric Shock feeling on entire computer

I live in China & find this a common occurance with my older 15" Ai Powerbook as well as my new MBP. It happens only with poorly grounded circuits when I am not using the 3-pronged adaptor cord.

I know exactly what Lopi is talking about. My MBP does it too but then so did my PowerBook G4 for the 2+ years I used it.
Not really a shock, more of a electrical tingling, buzzins sort of feeling. If you lift your arm so the inside of the forearm brushes the metallic surface of the machine you get a much stronger tingling/shock.
It also seems stronger too if sitting in bed with the electric blanket on underneath you...
I have not tested it with the 2 different plugs although I do use both, I have only noticed it with the 2 pin one.

Actually, that's what I was thinking it might be. Never had a problem with my PB and always did it so I did not worry.

It's polarity, folks. Some where along the line, either in your home or your computer, positive and negative leads have been reversed. Most likely it is in your home.

I think it's more likely to be what Jackthequick above said as polarity on AC power should make no difference. AC is alternating current which means the polarity changes anyway 50 times per second (in New Zealand) and 60 times per second (in the US).

I have added this to the wiki at

http://www.appledefects.com/wiki/index.php?title=MacBookPro#Electric_Shock_from_MBP_while_plugged_in_forcharging

I am seeing this more and more, and it is something to be documented.

If this thread is closed down like the MacBook discoloration thread was closed down and censored by Apple, this page is a good place to consult for future updates related to shocking sensation.

I too had the same problem of mild vibrations from the casing, although this would happen only once in a while. The vibrations would stop as soon as I unplugged the mains. Being in Asia, the American plug shipped with the machine requires an adaptor here, and I was using a 2-pin plug. As soon as I changed my plug adapter to a 3-pin plug, the vibrations have ceased. So, at least in my case, it seems to have been a problem of earthing.

MacBook Pro 15" Mac OS X (10.4.6) 2.16 MHz, 1GB RAM, 100 GB HDD

Spoke too soon. I'm now getting a mild shock even with the 3-pronged adapter, which disappears when on battery. It's not constant; happens about 50% of the time. I've had the MBP for 2 months now, and there was nothing during the first month. The only difference between the first month of use and the second month is the weather. It was dry weather earlier, and it is now the monsoon in South Asia (where I am located). Could the humidity have something to do with this? My MBP is sitting on a wooden felt-top desk at home and a marble top at the office. No carpets/rugs at either location. While the shock is mild most times, sometimes its strong enough to be extremely uncomfortable. I've read so many posts on this problem, but there seems to be nothing from Apple yet. Will Apple please reply?

MacBook Pro 15" Mac OS X (10.4.6) 2.16 MHz, 1GB RAM, 100 GB HDD

How have you contacted Apple? I wouldn't wait for a post on this board, and more to the point, when you have a problem, especially if you think there's an electrical issue, you need to CALL them. And then, of course, post back and let everyone know what the resolution was :o)

I own a 17" MacBook Pro. I get electric shocks as well. From small shocks to very painful.

I currently live in Egypt and get serious shocks. But, I also got these shocks in the U.S. And if I place my fingertips on the keyboard, and my friend places hands on my shoulders, he will feel the electrical vibration from the computer through me.

This does not seem to be a grounding issue, as I have check all grounding here. All conversion plugs. etc.

This is a very serious issue that Apple should address.

MacBook Pro 17" Mac OS X (10.4.7) 2 GB RAM

I have a MacBook Pro 15inch and I'm using the 2prong plug in Egypt as well. Same problems as everyone else when its plugged in I can feel it tingling my arms. We don't have 3prong plugs where I'm living so I guess I'm out of luck. This does seem totally abnormal for an electronic product to continually be zapping a person just because its not grounded. Sounds like this is turning out to be a defect....

I finally decided to troubleshoot this because I am having the same - or similar - issues.

The problem has become so painful that I am not wanting to use my PowerBook G4 at all.
I just thought I was sensitive but, as I have been using a friend's desktop, no trouble.

Basically: my fingers, side of hand hurt when I use my MPB.
Any part that comes in contact with machine - especially trackpad and the area around trackpad.

I'd begun doing goofy stuff like taping cardboard to the metal areas, bandaids on all of my fingers and the side of my hand , pulling sleeves down around my hand to work.
You get the idea.
I hadn't been certain if it was steady electrical shocks or hitting the keys too hard.


Now when I check the forum for clues I see that many of us have this issue.
Ummm that ain't right!

BTW: I have been moving around a lot lately and this happens wherever I have gone. so it isn't something specific to my old house.

Guess I'll calll apple and hope for the best.

Anyone else had a good result?



ps: I have had to exchange my brick and/or duckhead 3x in 2 years
because it stops working. Related?



Good luck all - are we the beginning of a recall?

Strange thing is using A/C power from UPS at work doesn't result in the tingly feeling. This is with the two prong socket. Maybe something to do with the reconversion from DC back to AC.

also said I would need to take it in - or send it in - if the problem persisted.