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>> If you have a MacBook be careful leaving it unattended on the bed. Beautiful line here. > Would this article be getting the same traction if it wasn't a Ma

by tatoalo 10y ago

>> If you have a MacBook be careful leaving it unattended on the bed. Beautiful line here. > Would this article be getting the same traction if it wasn't a MacBook? This.

soylentcola 10y ago
I run across this all the time with (insert item that uses lithium batteries here). People ask "can't those things explode?!" Well, yeah, if it's got a lithium battery it can. That's why you buy batteries from reputable sources (or items with integrated batteries from reputable sources), don't charge them unattended, and be aware of anything getting warm or expanding.
- gambiting 10y ago
  >>don't charge them unattended I really hope this is a joke, because I can't imagine having to watch over anything while charging it. I'm sure that almost everyone charges their phone and laptop when sleeping for instance.
  - kpil 10y ago
    Unfortunately, no joke. Minimally, do not charge things in a bed or covered by a blanket.
- laythea 10y ago
  That's ridiculous. My 2015 MacBook gets warm/hot as a matter of course during the normal use of software. How am I supposed to know whether it is a precursor to an explosion or just normal usage? Apparently there is no way to know, and it is a matter of luck whether your <insert lithium charged device here> explodes. As a society why are we selling these things (not just apple) that can explode during normal usage. If a car manufacturer had an equivalent such design, the manufacturer would recall and fix said problem for free. And yes, if there is no "fix" then they should not sell this technology at all. I suspect that the tech-industry lobbyists would not agree.
  - lutorm 10y ago
    And yes, if there is no "fix" then they should not sell this technology at all. I suspect when you see the impact on battery life or weight you might change your mind. Cars do catch fire during normal use. It's not common, but it does happen. So it's not like it's some hard and fast rule that the risk must be zero. It's a matter of what we consider acceptable given the downsides.
    - laythea 10y ago
      Yes I am well aware of the benefits of Lithium tech, and I agree that the alternative is not attractive, however your analogy is flawed. Most people (adults) understand they are dealing with a controlled explosion (the engine), and the adult is always (presumably) monitoring the car whilst the engine is on. "Adult" and continually "monitoring" are the keywords here. The difference is that these things are consumer items that my little son plays with.
      - blktiger 10y ago
        You're kidding right. I was just at a gas station the other day where a guy REFUELLED HIS RUNNING CAR. He even left it unattended to walk into the store! I think you overestimate the average persons understanding of automotive fire hazard.
        laythea 10y ago
        we can do only so much.... :)
  - eddieroger 10y ago
    Too much soda can kill you - should we keep selling soda? If you eat too many apple seeds, the arsenic in them could kill you - do we need to get rid of apples? Lithium batteries can explode, but the data captured shows that it happens rarely, and when it doesn't, like with the Samsung batteries, we talk about it. This is one incident. It's not widespread exploding MacBooks. The way to know if you're facing a problem is to check for bulges. Under normal circumstances, where the machine is properly ventilated (clear ducts, not under a comforter), then statistically safe.

by tatoalo 10y ago

>> If you have a MacBook be careful leaving it unattended on the bed. Beautiful line here. > Would this article be getting the same traction if it wasn't a MacBook? This.

soylentcola 10y ago

I run across this all the time with (insert item that uses lithium batteries here). People ask "can't those things explode?!" Well, yeah, if it's got a lithium battery it can. That's why you buy batteries from reputable sources (or items with integrated batteries from reputable sources), don't charge them unattended, and be aware of anything getting warm or expanding.

gambiting 10y ago
>>don't charge them unattended I really hope this is a joke, because I can't imagine having to watch over anything while charging it. I'm sure that almost everyone charges their phone and laptop when sleeping for instance.
- kpil 10y ago
  Unfortunately, no joke. Minimally, do not charge things in a bed or covered by a blanket.
laythea 10y ago
That's ridiculous. My 2015 MacBook gets warm/hot as a matter of course during the normal use of software. How am I supposed to know whether it is a precursor to an explosion or just normal usage? Apparently there is no way to know, and it is a matter of luck whether your <insert lithium charged device here> explodes. As a society why are we selling these things (not just apple) that can explode during normal usage. If a car manufacturer had an equivalent such design, the manufacturer would recall and fix said problem for free. And yes, if there is no "fix" then they should not sell this technology at all. I suspect that the tech-industry lobbyists would not agree.
- lutorm 10y ago
  And yes, if there is no "fix" then they should not sell this technology at all. I suspect when you see the impact on battery life or weight you might change your mind. Cars do catch fire during normal use. It's not common, but it does happen. So it's not like it's some hard and fast rule that the risk must be zero. It's a matter of what we consider acceptable given the downsides.
  - laythea 10y ago
    Yes I am well aware of the benefits of Lithium tech, and I agree that the alternative is not attractive, however your analogy is flawed. Most people (adults) understand they are dealing with a controlled explosion (the engine), and the adult is always (presumably) monitoring the car whilst the engine is on. "Adult" and continually "monitoring" are the keywords here. The difference is that these things are consumer items that my little son plays with.
    - blktiger 10y ago
      You're kidding right. I was just at a gas station the other day where a guy REFUELLED HIS RUNNING CAR. He even left it unattended to walk into the store! I think you overestimate the average persons understanding of automotive fire hazard.
      - laythea 10y ago
        we can do only so much.... :)
- eddieroger 10y ago
  Too much soda can kill you - should we keep selling soda? If you eat too many apple seeds, the arsenic in them could kill you - do we need to get rid of apples? Lithium batteries can explode, but the data captured shows that it happens rarely, and when it doesn't, like with the Samsung batteries, we talk about it. This is one incident. It's not widespread exploding MacBooks. The way to know if you're facing a problem is to check for bulges. Under normal circumstances, where the machine is properly ventilated (clear ducts, not under a comforter), then statistically safe.