Bulging trackpad, swollen battery? Help!

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Level 1

4 points

Bulging trackpad, swollen battery? Help!

The trackpad of my 2010 MacBook Pro has suddenly - and most ominously - bulged upwards! From looking around online, I believe that it's due to a swollen battery. I asked my local Apple Authorised Service provider about this and they say (1) it'll cost upward of $400 to service and replace the battery and trackpad (2) Apple doesn't replace swollen batteries free even though it's a manufacturing defect.

So here are my questions:

(1) is it true that apple won't replace the battery even though it's a defect?

(2) Would it be safe to carry the laptop on a long distance flight? Will the air pressure affect the swollen battery in any way? I don't want it exploding! I live outside the US, but will be traveling to the US soon so thought I might have better luck with the Genius Bar in CA.

(3) any words of advice on what's the best option in my case? My laptop is nearly 4 years old, in otherwise great condition and working well.

Would be grateful for any help! Apologies if this has been handled elsewhere - am afraid I'm a bit of a doofus at all things IT....

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Jun 2, 2014 6:40 AM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jun 2, 2014 6:59 AM in response to Monappl

First open the MBP and take out the battery. You will need a #00 Phillips driver and a #0 Triwing driver to extract the battery. The Triwing driver is difficult to find. Check Amazon. Once removed, the trackpad may be functional.

Monappl wrote:

(1) is it true that apple won't replace the battery even though it's a defect?

It is not that unusual for an old battery to expand. It has lasted 3 -4 years of service which is not out of line. I doubt that we are dealing with a 'manufacturing defect'.

(2) Would it be safe to carry the laptop on a long distance flight? Will the air pressure affect the swollen battery in any way? I don't want it exploding! I live outside the US, but will be traveling to the US soon so thought I might have better luck with the Genius Bar in CA.

If possible, take the battery out as I suggested. The airplane ride should have no effect, but the battery may just expand more regardless.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Oct 7, 2015 3:43 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I replaced a questionable HD with a SSD in my mid2010 MacBookPro, installed Yosemite, and set it aside. Now I see the touchpad is bulging upward, particularly on the back and right sides.

Could it be a battery swelling because of the new SSD? (It has not been in use since the drives were substituted.)

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Oct 7, 2015 4:04 PM in response to chuckfromstrafford

chuckfromstrafford wrote:

Could it be a battery swelling because of the new SSD? (It has not been in use since the drives were substituted.)

No, there is no correlation with installing a SSD and the battery expanding. With proper care, one may expect a battery to last 4-5 years. A 2010 battery is past that time frame and some old batteries will expand. Replace it immediately.

Ciao.

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Answer 4

Jun 2, 2014 6:58 AM in response to Monappl

My advice would be to take it to an Apple store for diagnosis. I would NOT travel with it - no one can predict how it might behave.

Barry

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