Question about the smell of new Apple products (in this case an iMac)

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Level 1

3 points

Question about the smell of new Apple products (in this case an iMac)

Hi!
I wonder what's up with the smell of new Apple products, because they all smell the same in my opinion. I got a new iMac last week and it had a special smell and i know i'm not the only one thinking this. Do Apple add this smell with a perfume to make it smell new and fresh, or is it some dangerous toxic fume from the plasic or something?

Regards Tobias

iMac 24" 2.66GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on May 14, 2009 6:40 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bruce Kinley

Level 1

15 points

May 14, 2009 9:45 AM in response to TorBjorn123

Every Mac, iPod, Apple accessory, etc that I ever purchased had the same smell. I love it. I get very sad when it wears off.

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Answer 2

May 14, 2009 6:51 AM in response to TorBjorn123

Hi Tobias.

This new iMac I got about two and a half weeks ago didn't smell as strong as the iMac G5 when I got it.

I suffer from a disorder that is called +Environmental Hypersensitivity+ and the smell coming from the G5 almost made me return the iMac, my eyes, nose and lungs were reacting heavily but that was mixed up with reactions from the workplace where I was working back then as well so it's hard to really pinpoint what was attacking me most at the time. It took a couple of months before the smell became tolerable.

I hardly noticed the smell from this new iMac though and am quite relieved.

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Answer 3

May 23, 2009 11:21 AM in response to TorBjorn123

I know exactly what you mean! I bought a Might Mouse today and I can't stop sniffing it. It has this smell to it that is just so nice. It was on my macbook but it has worn off and now I'm sad 😟 My screen smells a little though.

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Answer 4

May 14, 2009 6:44 AM in response to TorBjorn123

Hello T:

Welcome to Apple discussions.

Frankly, I have no idea what you are talking about. New anything has a particular odor, but I seriously doubt Apple is adding a scent to the manufacturing process. I would forget the toxic fume idea, incidentally. A lot of us would have keeled over if that were any kind of problem.

Barry

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Answer 5

TorBjorn123 Author

Level 1

3 points

May 14, 2009 7:14 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Thank you!
Of course everything has a smell, especially new things, but in my opinion Apple products have a much stronger smell than everything i ever owned. And as Diane Benoît replied below, see reacted heavily to her old mac (by the way, Diane im glad you don't have problems with your Mac any more).
I know iMac's are free from brominated flame retardant now, but are there any other flame retardants, or methods to avoid burning electronics, that Apple replaced the old one with?
I think my Mac have a kind of sweet smell, that is why i wonder if it's added to make it smell nice.

/ Tobias

Message was edited by: TorBjorn123

Message was edited by: TorBjorn123

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Answer 6

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

May 14, 2009 7:44 AM in response to TorBjorn123

As far as I know, there are no scents purposely added to the computer. Any electronic object will have a slight smell in the beginning as the internal components heat up for the first time, but it's really nothing to worry about and will go away in a day or two.

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Answer 7

dwb

Level 7

33,166 points

May 14, 2009 10:58 AM in response to TorBjorn123

All electronics devices outgas for a period of time, just as new cars do. I've not noticed that Apple products are any more pronounced or different than other computers. This outgassing can be quite uncomfortable or even dangerous for some people while others barely notice it.

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Answer 8

TorBjorn123 Author

Level 1

3 points

May 14, 2009 7:42 AM in response to TorBjorn123

For those of you who think im stupid, im not alone
I found a blog post about this phenomenon - http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/23892

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Answer 9

May 14, 2009 7:30 PM in response to dwb

If I get die/get sick from iMac exhaust, I'll be a happy man, b/c at least i'll have my baby.

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Answer 10

May 23, 2009 11:22 AM in response to shadowhawk2008

Oh and I'm not on drugs unless sniffing Apple Products counts

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