MacBook Pro Palm Rest Tingly Vibration Problem
Posted by Jon Lee in Apple, tags: AC adapter, Apple, flaw, mac, macbook pro
I recently got a new 13.3 inch MacBook Pro as my primary computer and am still getting used to it.
I brought it to Europe for a conference and noticed a very strange thing that is not widely known or advertised about aluminum Macbooks.
This problem affects Unibody MacBooks and aluminum body MacBook Pros. Apple gives users the choice of using an extension cord with their adapter or by using a “travel plug” that allows the adapter to plug directly into an outlet.
Many of these travel plugs are not electrically grounded (i.e. not a three prong plug) so when the laptop is placed on a non-conductive nor grounded surface, you can feel a bit of static electricity on the aluminum casing.
If you run your fingers over the casing, you can feel a slight vibration or a sort of “texture”. Some may describe it as a tingly feeling. From what I have been told, this is perfectly harmless. You can test to see if it is actually caused by the non-grounded plug by unplugging it or using the three prong plug and see if the feeling remains.
I would say this is definitely a design flaw on Apple’s part and a disadvantage for having an entirely metal casing. It was unnerving at first because I thought the vibration was from my hard drive but I’m not sure if I feel better knowing that’s electricity flowing into my palms!
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