Laptop Woes, Cont'd (With apologies that I am venting my anxiety here)
The internet assures me that my laptop is no longer a computing device, but instead has become a time sensitive thermonuclear explosive, which is also shock sensitive.
At this point I have three options:
A) Take it in for repairs. The earliest that an official Apple repair center can look at it is apparently a week out. Then, after that, it'll take likely two additional weeks for repair. During this time all my data will be exposed, and while they're working on it, my emails and social media accounts will auto connect. As I have been instructed not to power the laptop back on under any circumstances, I have no recourse to fix that.
B) I can purchase a new laptop at great expense, and hope this one doesn't turn into a tire fire risk. This will cost a lot of money, and also time.
C) I can go renegade and do this myself. Apple makes battery removal SUPREMELY difficult, and I risk causing significant damage, as well as potentially causing a fire/explosion. But I'd be able to do it in a controlled environment. (Access to fume hoods is perk of mine).
At this point I am seriously tempted to go with option C, and if I fuck it up, fall back into B. Option A is the more prudent path, though.
re: Laptop Woes, Cont'd (With apologies that I am venting my anxiety here)
@Phorm Hmm. Running sympathetically through my own Anxiety Checklist...
1) Research the actual instance of how often this happens. It's like fear of flying: it's an understandable anxiety because of the catastrophic nature, but is it based on a statistically low risk?
2) Are there any advance warning signs of a battery that's about to fail?
3) What are coworkers and friends you know who are in similar situations doing about theirs?
I know you probably know rationally to do all these things, but I'm just thinking of the kind of reminders I'd like to get from a friend when I'm fretting about similar things. <3 <3
re: Laptop Woes, Cont'd (With apologies that I am venting my anxiety here)
@Phorm Oof, yeah. OK, if it's actively swelling... definitely sounds like it should be treated as a Clear And Present Threat. Sounds like you are on the right general path for getting it taken care of.
re: Laptop Woes, Cont'd (With apologies that I am venting my anxiety here)
@zebratron2084
@zebratron2084 All excellent points, and we'll made and received, thank you 💕
My research is what led me here. There's a recall out on certain batteries, because they actually spontaneously catch fire. Mine is starting to swell to the point that it's bowing the bottom case of the laptop. Consulting with some knowledgeable people, it seems like it's not a good thing and should be replaced immediately.
Not a "this is going to detonate the next time you use it" thing, but more of a "this is an inevitability at this point, given the extent of swelling, and continued use is tempting fate".
From what I can gather, the swelling I've observed is the best advanced warning indicator.
As far as coworkers and friends in this situation, well... I guess I don't have any? I seem to be unique in holding on to a MacBook this long. Anyone else on OSX upgraded long ago.
Thank you, sincerely, for those questions. Helped me focus, and helped me think. 💕 Y'all Tigers are smart.