is there really a threat of long term water damage?

Yes it will fail. Apple notebooks are especially susceptible to any liquid being split on them or even Around them.

Even though it may work now it will eventually fail and has partially failed already. That along with the fact that if it was new and had a warranty still on it that is now Null and Void because of the liquid damage.

You might be able to chaulk it up to your Home Owners insurance policy but only your insurance agent can tell you that.

Your Options are to fix or replace your coworkers computer and then never spill anything on a computer again.

~~~~~~is there really a threat of long term water damage?

Big time yes, corrosion, I used to repair laptops.

Liquid spills, why your MacBook chassis is a one-way valve for spills

After a substantial spill many people will turn their notebook upside down and shake it, not only does this not work, but it spreads liquid havoc throughout your machine and makes things often as bad as possible.

The keyboard itself acts like a one way valve in the case of a substantial liquid spill. While liquid pours into the bottom chassis easy, it does not come out easily at all, and in the case of any spill, most of it will not come out by turning it upside down. Disconnect all power and contact Apple for diagnostics and repair.

Do not attempt to, after a spill, ‘dry out your MacBook’ and test it

After a spill most people invariably try to “dry out” their notebook by various methods, including hair dryers and otherwise. This both does not work, and after a substantial spill of any magnitude, even if the liquid was water, residue is left behind.

There are additionally many very tight places inside your notebook where liquids will linger for a very long time, and cause corrosion or worse.

Immediately unplug your notebook and contact Apple for in shop diagnostics and parts replacement.

In the case of very minor spills people will “dry out” their notebook and feel success that their notebook is working ok, however invariably in nearly all instances after 4-14 days an error / fault pops up and is usually followed by more.

In case of a spill, damage estimates are impossible,.....anything can be fixed, without question.......the question is cost.

contact Apple for in shop diagnostics and cost estimation ....possible parts replacement. 😊

NOTE: Apple Care nor the standard warranty does not cover accidental damage. You will be responsible for the repair costs (which are usually more than the cost of the computer).

The good news:

If you have homeowners or rental coverage check w/them. Most policies cover accidental damage.

If your job owns your co-workers computer, check w/your company's policy on repairing office equipment.

They are likely quoting the cost of replacing the logic board as well as other damaged components such as the keyboard or hard drive. $1200 is not unreasonable to repair a water damaged Macbook Pro.

How can you say the system works fine when some of the keys don't work and the DVD drive doesn't work anymore?

That is like saying the Tire is Fine. It is Only Flat on the Bottom.

whatdoiget000 wrote:

But they aren't discussing replacing the logic board, only cleaning up the water damage, and probably replacing the keyboard and disk drive. The hard drive is intact and the system itself work fine.

Anytime there is accidental damage caused to a Mac computer the warranty is void. Apple has no way of telling if what has failed in the system is from the accidental damages or a manufacturing defect. Since they can't make that distinction they don't have to honor the warranty.

BobRz wrote:

Would Apple now have marked this machine as having a voided warranty?

Would Apple now have marked this machine as having a voided warranty?

Never mind.