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OhThatGirl

Q: Battery swollen -- could this be what's effecting my superdrive from not working?

Hi there,

 

So, a swollen battery; the Genius at the Apple bar took my MBP into the backroom, took it apart (unibody) and took a picture for me.  He said I need to replace it, through them for about $200.00

Gave me a look like an owl when I suggested that they replace it for free.

Surely this is not battery behaviour?

 

I'd taken the MBP 17 in because the trackpad wasn't working properly.  Needless to say I'm a little (a lot) disappointed.  I don't have Apple Care (mid-2010 MBP) and the Genius tried to tell me that this is normal and it's proving that it's met the end of it's lifecyle.  However, on System Info it read that the battery is good and has ~236 cycles (that's today, the number was much lower when I took it in).  When I pointed that out, again, a blank look, not mean but wasn't going to try and help me out.  Also, he suggested maybe I trade it in.  Why suggest that if it's a normal thing all batteries do. Will it not happen with other Apple laptops, I asked.  My machine is in immaculate condition and we basically use like a desktop, barely travels anywhere past the living room.

 

Fast forward to this past few months and now unable to get superdrive to work even after cleaning it.  It recognized a cd but only 1 in 4.  Upon closer inspection I notice that the case is actually pulling away around the trackpad area.

 

Is this normal and expected behaviour for laptop batteries?  I think it's quite strange and should I be concerned that the swollen battery is ruining other parts of my laptop besides the trackpad?  Is it possible that gas will leak from the battery?  Do all laptop batteries do this?  This is my first laptop but I've never heard of this happening as a 'safety precaution' to replace batteries.

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10), null

Posted on Apr 15, 2015 4:17 PM

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Q: Battery swollen -- could this be what's effecting my superdrive from not working?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Csound1,Helpful

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 15, 2015 4:11 PM in response to OhThatGirl
    Level 9 (50,252 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 15, 2015 4:11 PM in response to OhThatGirl

    OhThatGirl wrote:

     

    Hi there,

     

    So, a swollen battery; the Genius at the Apple bar took my MBP into the backroom, took it apart (unibody) and took a picture for me.  He said I need to replace it, through them for about $200.00

    Yes, quite common for lithium-ion batteries to swell when old. 5 years is the approximate life span.

  • by petermac87,Helpful

    petermac87 petermac87 Apr 15, 2015 4:19 PM in response to OhThatGirl
    Level 5 (7,402 points)
    Apr 15, 2015 4:19 PM in response to OhThatGirl

    OhThatGirl wrote:

     

     

     

     

    Is this normal and expected behaviour for laptop batteries?  I think it's quite strange and should I be concerned that the swollen battery is ruining other parts of my laptop besides the trackpad? 

    I have seen this a few times with older laptops and the battery swells and puts pressure on other parts, especially the trackpad. I wouldn't call it 'normal' but it is something to be aware of and have replaced at the first signs. $200 would be about right but I would also have them check that there is no other permanent damage first.

     

    Pete

  • by OhThatGirl,

    OhThatGirl OhThatGirl Apr 15, 2015 4:19 PM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 15, 2015 4:19 PM in response to Csound1

    Do you think the battery could be effecting the superdrive, too?

     

    Or do I have two separate issues?

  • by OhThatGirl,

    OhThatGirl OhThatGirl Apr 15, 2015 4:21 PM in response to petermac87
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 15, 2015 4:21 PM in response to petermac87

    Alright, sounds like the safe thing to do is to replace before further damage! 

     

    Bummer.  But cheaper than new MBP

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 15, 2015 4:24 PM in response to OhThatGirl
    Level 9 (52,113 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2015 4:24 PM in response to OhThatGirl

    I have experienced this phenomenon and as a result about three weeks ago I replaced the batteries in my 2006 and 2010 MBPs as a matter of 'normal' maintenance.  Not only useage, but time is a factor on the useful life of a lithium battery.  The 2010 MBP had probably less than 100 cycles on it and it may very well have lasted a year or two longer but my 2010 is in good condition and I aim to keep it that way.

     

    My source for MBP batteries is OWC.  A touch less expensive than the Apple store;

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Apple/Laptop/Batteries

     

    Ciao.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 15, 2015 4:25 PM in response to OhThatGirl
    Level 9 (52,113 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2015 4:25 PM in response to OhThatGirl

    OhThatGirl wrote:

     

    Do you think the battery could be effecting the superdrive, too?

     

    Or do I have two separate issues?

    I suspect that the two are not related.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 15, 2015 4:25 PM in response to OhThatGirl
    Level 9 (50,252 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 15, 2015 4:25 PM in response to OhThatGirl

    OhThatGirl wrote:

     

    Do you think the battery could be effecting the superdrive, too?

     

    Or do I have two separate issues?

    Yes, that is possible, it could also have an effect on the trackpad as it swells. Get it replaced