5 ms·

Maybe this is why Apple still hasn’t properly grounded it’s MacBooks, that light buzz you get is a brain boost!

callesgg 4y ago
That is not the MacBook itself, it is the power adapter not having a ground pin. The power adapter extension cord has a ground pin, you can use the extension cord if you want to ground the computer.
- themitigating 4y ago
  Because the transformer doesn't have a metal case and once the voltage is lowered at the transformer the danger of electrical shock is reduced (as in the effects of it) so there's no reason to ground the laptop chassis.
  - callesgg 4y ago
    That is probably why it is considered legal to sell the product, yes. The high frequency buzzing you feel in your hands as you place them on the computer when the incoming power is not a proper clean sinus wave is unpleasant. Stoping that buzzing would be a good reason to ground the adapter even if it not legally required.
    - PragmaticPulp 4y ago
      > The high frequency buzzing you feel in your hands as you place them on the computer when the incoming power is not a proper clean sinus wave is unpleasant. I’ve used countless MacBooks over the years across several countries and even on square wave UPS systems. I’ve never experienced anything like this. This is literally the first time I’m hearing about this phenomenon. The way people are talking about Apple products as having some sort of weird grounding defect in this thread is honestly kind of baffling, given that they obviously have built a product that complies with all international regulations around the world.
      - callesgg 4y ago
        They don’t have a grounding defect, they are simply not grounded. You have to purchase an extra cable with a grounding pin for your power adapter to ground a MacBook.
      - oakwhiz 4y ago
        This is just how ungrounded devices sometimes act when you are able to come into contact with the neutral via some current path. I have LED light bulbs that are like this, you feel a vibration when touching the exposed metal heatsink of the bulb, and some bulb fixtures have started to be manufactured with a ground wire on the chassis just to eliminate that.
  - rootusrootus 4y ago
    I'm more interested in knowing what AC power is being sent down to the laptop in the first place, regardless of the voltage.
    - garaetjjte 4y ago
      It passes through Y capacitor that's there for EMI filtering reasons.
  - spyder 4y ago
    There is a reason to fix it as the comments are showing it, but yes it's not really for safety reason. It's annoying, a shitty user experience and makes it feel like a lower quality product. Even if it's a minor thing some users are still bothered by it but probably not enough to the companies to care.
elevaet 4y ago
What's with that? I'm constantly getting minor shocks from my Macbook, often when the inside of my forearm or wrist touches a corner of the case. I thought it was a problem with my old one, but my new one does it too. There is also a constant light vibration when you run your fingers lightly along the body. It's quite Shocking that this is apparently "normal". None of this happens when it's running on battery.
- bspammer 4y ago
  I was honestly questioning whether there was something wrong with the wiring in my house that was causing this (after having multiple MacBooks with the same issue), because the alternative that a company of Apple’s size had such a basic issue seemed so unlikely.
  - callesgg 4y ago
    You or your neighbour probably have some cheap chinese device that puts out high frequency noice on the power line. Either you get rid of that device or you buy something like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=apple+grounded+extention+cable https://www.google.com/search?q=apple+grounded+extention+cab...
    - bilekas 4y ago
      Unless you're running some serious industrial level machinery, home devices have nothing to do with power line noise. It's cause by the air around the lines and the condition of the lines themselves.
      - callesgg 4y ago
        I think you are talking about another type of power line noise. I am pretty sure a bad switch mode power supply, can push out some nasty stuff.
  - rootusrootus 4y ago
    Given that many (most, I'd bet, by far) people don't experience this while you've experienced it on several devices, I wouldn't give up on checking out the wiring in your house.
goodpoint 4y ago
*its
jnpnj 4y ago
Grounding issues on metal chassis is so strange. Creates a buzzing layer under you skin. Quite surprising the first time.
cultofmetatron 4y ago
omg I thought I was the only one. Had this problem persistently when I was at a guest house in the phillipines. I figured it couldn't be safe or good for my laptop but a guy's gotta get paid...
sph 4y ago
I have that issue when charging my iPad as well

That is not the MacBook itself, it is the power adapter not having a ground pin. The power adapter extension cord has a ground pin, you can use the extension cord if you want to ground the computer.

themitigating 4y ago
Because the transformer doesn't have a metal case and once the voltage is lowered at the transformer the danger of electrical shock is reduced (as in the effects of it) so there's no reason to ground the laptop chassis.
- callesgg 4y ago
  That is probably why it is considered legal to sell the product, yes. The high frequency buzzing you feel in your hands as you place them on the computer when the incoming power is not a proper clean sinus wave is unpleasant. Stoping that buzzing would be a good reason to ground the adapter even if it not legally required.
  - PragmaticPulp 4y ago
    > The high frequency buzzing you feel in your hands as you place them on the computer when the incoming power is not a proper clean sinus wave is unpleasant. I’ve used countless MacBooks over the years across several countries and even on square wave UPS systems. I’ve never experienced anything like this. This is literally the first time I’m hearing about this phenomenon. The way people are talking about Apple products as having some sort of weird grounding defect in this thread is honestly kind of baffling, given that they obviously have built a product that complies with all international regulations around the world.
    - callesgg 4y ago
      They don’t have a grounding defect, they are simply not grounded. You have to purchase an extra cable with a grounding pin for your power adapter to ground a MacBook.
    - oakwhiz 4y ago
      This is just how ungrounded devices sometimes act when you are able to come into contact with the neutral via some current path. I have LED light bulbs that are like this, you feel a vibration when touching the exposed metal heatsink of the bulb, and some bulb fixtures have started to be manufactured with a ground wire on the chassis just to eliminate that.
- rootusrootus 4y ago
  I'm more interested in knowing what AC power is being sent down to the laptop in the first place, regardless of the voltage.
  - garaetjjte 4y ago
    It passes through Y capacitor that's there for EMI filtering reasons.
- spyder 4y ago
  There is a reason to fix it as the comments are showing it, but yes it's not really for safety reason. It's annoying, a shitty user experience and makes it feel like a lower quality product. Even if it's a minor thing some users are still bothered by it but probably not enough to the companies to care.

elevaet 4y ago

What's with that? I'm constantly getting minor shocks from my Macbook, often when the inside of my forearm or wrist touches a corner of the case. I thought it was a problem with my old one, but my new one does it too. There is also a constant light vibration when you run your fingers lightly along the body. It's quite Shocking that this is apparently "normal". None of this happens when it's running on battery.

bspammer 4y ago
I was honestly questioning whether there was something wrong with the wiring in my house that was causing this (after having multiple MacBooks with the same issue), because the alternative that a company of Apple’s size had such a basic issue seemed so unlikely.
- callesgg 4y ago
  You or your neighbour probably have some cheap chinese device that puts out high frequency noice on the power line. Either you get rid of that device or you buy something like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=apple+grounded+extention+cable https://www.google.com/search?q=apple+grounded+extention+cab...
  - bilekas 4y ago
    Unless you're running some serious industrial level machinery, home devices have nothing to do with power line noise. It's cause by the air around the lines and the condition of the lines themselves.
    - callesgg 4y ago
      I think you are talking about another type of power line noise. I am pretty sure a bad switch mode power supply, can push out some nasty stuff.
- rootusrootus 4y ago
  Given that many (most, I'd bet, by far) people don't experience this while you've experienced it on several devices, I wouldn't give up on checking out the wiring in your house.

goodpoint 4y ago

*its

jnpnj 4y ago

Grounding issues on metal chassis is so strange. Creates a buzzing layer under you skin. Quite surprising the first time.

cultofmetatron 4y ago

omg I thought I was the only one. Had this problem persistently when I was at a guest house in the phillipines. I figured it couldn't be safe or good for my laptop but a guy's gotta get paid...

sph 4y ago

I have that issue when charging my iPad as well