An issue you may run across, but hopefully do not, in the lifetime of you Mac portable is a swollen battery. The first symptoms are usually your trackpad not clicking or a weird bulge on the bottom of your machine. A swollen battery is not common but it does happen. Now there is usually not one single cause for a swollen battery. Sometimes it is a defect in the battery, or old age, or the wrong charger which can overcharge the battery. Always use the proper charger straight from the manufacturer to charge your MacBook. There are cheaper alternatives out there, but you may end up paying in the end if this charger causes issues for your battery or other parts of your machine.
See the full line of Apple MagSafe chargers here!
So what to do if this happens to you?
First off, exercise caution. The slightest puncture can be dangerous and, again this is VERY rare, but SWOLLEN BATTERIES CAN EXPLODE!!!!! Most Mac models do not have user replaceable batteries, so your best option is to get the computer to your nearest Apple repair facility, such as Small Dog Electronics, to get the battery out of there and safely disposed of before it can do any harm.
How to help avoid a swollen battery:
– Again, always use the right charger for your device
– Don’t leave the device plugged in all the time
– Keep the device stored in cool dry environment
– Replace battery when it becomes exhausted (Option – Click the battery icon in your top bar to see your battery’s condition)
Sometimes batteries just fail and there is nothing you can do about it, but with the proper practices you can cut down the chances of it happening to you.