Macbook Pro static electricity

libra10

Hello

Wondering whether anyone can advise.

Have had a 13" Macbook Pro for approximately 18 months, and occasionally when touching the aluminium lid I get a slight tingle (mild electric shock). Using the keyboard and touchpad is fine, but the mild shock often occurs when about to switch off.

This hasn't been a major problem, but recently it seems to be becoming slightly more severe. It seems worse when wearing man made fibres, but doesn't make much difference whether the machine running off battery power or electric.

Can anyone advise whether there is anything I can do to lessen the tingling sensation?

Thank you

RobTang

They all do that.

libra10

Have never experienced with PCs.

shaun_from_Africa

It's not only a MacBook problem as I get exactly the same with a Toshiba laptop and from doing a quick search on Google, it appears to be very common.
https://www.google.com/search?as_q=laptop+static+shocks&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=&as_qdr=all&as_sitesearch=&as_occt=any&safe=images&tbs=&as_filetype=&as_rights=&gws_rd=ssl


The main problem is that most laptops are not earthed as they only have a two wire connection from the power supply (positive and negative DC). There might be an earth wire going from the mains socket to the power supply but that's generally all.


Without the case being earthed, static electricity will slowly build up until it can find an earth path with is generally through the user.

libra10 wrote: »

Have never experienced with PCs.

This would be because PC's are normally supplied directly from the mains and not through an external power supply and PC cases should be earthed if made of metal.

shortchanged_2

You'd have thought the design geniuses at apple would have considered reducing the risk of their customers getting tazered when using their flawlessly designed machines.

libra10

Thanks everyone for your comments, much appreciated.

Like you say, it seems to be a problem with different laptops as well as the Macbook.

Looks like I'll have to start surfing in my wellies ... unless any more intelligent suggestions.

Mr_Toad

Stop shuffling you feet and wear natural cotton rather than man made stuff

cookie365

Maybe just tap the lid every now and then to discharge the static before it builds up to Tazer levels?

libra10

Thanks for suggestions.

Bet they don't have any of those solutions in the Mac handbook!

Mr_Toad

libra10 wrote: »

Thanks for suggestions.

Bet they don't have any of those solutions in the Mac handbook!

It's unlikely the static is building up on the laptop, it's more likely to be you.

If the charge is on the MacBook then you may have an earth fault that needs looking at.

libra10

Thanks again Mr_Toad

My husband and son have both experienced the tingling sensation when touching the Macbook lid.

It looks like I may need to take the Macbook to have someone check it out.

Much appreciated.