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    Mercury risk with MBPro?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Inflictionmitch, Nov 13, 2006.

  1. Inflictionmitch

    Inflictionmitch Notebook Enthusiast

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    Was wondering about the mercury content in MBPros, as I believe this is what is used for the backlit keyboard. Since Mercury can be a toxic element, does anyone know if the mercury is encased beneath something else within the keyboard, or is it exposed beneath the keys?
     
    Inflictionmitch, Nov 13, 2006
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  2. zadillo

    zadillo Notebook Virtuoso

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    Where did you hear that exactly? I don't think they are using mercury for the backlit keyboards, i think it's fairly standard backlighting. Not sure exactly what, but I don't think mercury has anything to do with it. When the keyboard backlighting turns on it just shines underneath the keys.
     
    zadillo, Nov 13, 2006
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  3. lunateck

    lunateck Bananaed

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    I believe they use LEDs, not the conventional ones but those smaller ones. Correct me if i m wrong.
     
    lunateck, Nov 13, 2006
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  4. Inflictionmitch

    Inflictionmitch Notebook Enthusiast

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    If it's just LEDs, that's cool. I'd heard that it was a mercury source.
     
    Inflictionmitch, Nov 13, 2006
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  5. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    No... I'm not sure how mercury would be used as a backlight anyway.

    Mercury is only used in BIOS/CMOS batteries I believe.
     
    hollownail, Nov 13, 2006
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  6. Wooky

    Wooky Notebook Evangelist

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    Mercury vapour is actually used in lighting. Not so sure if its used in LCDs backlights though.
     
    Wooky, Nov 13, 2006
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  7. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Yeah, for things like street lamps and some car headlights. But I coudlnt' see how it would be used for something like this. I believe they're still delicate and easily broken.

    I didn't think about mercury vapor lights till you specifically mentioned mercury vapor :)
     
    hollownail, Nov 13, 2006
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  8. jujube

    jujube Notebook Deity

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    AFAIK, it's LED based, I would think it would be both costlier and legally liable to use mercury for those needs.
     
    jujube, Nov 16, 2006
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  9. wobble987

    wobble987 Notebook Virtuoso

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    as a matter of fact; in the box where my macbook came from; it is written in grey and white; "Backlight lamp contains mercury; dispose of according to local, state, and federa laws.
     
    wobble987, Nov 17, 2006
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  10. Saud

    Saud Notebook Consultant

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    well each time i attach my MBP with the charger, i get electricated from the edges of the laptop.

    that's more dangerous than Mercury.
     
    Saud, Nov 17, 2006
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  11. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Um, you need to call apple and have them replace something. Not sure if that would be the charger or the unit...
    It's normal to see a spark from these plugs when you plug them into the wall, but you shouldn't get shocked by the unit.

    Only thing besides the MBP that I can see causing that is some sort of shunt in your ground, where the grounding of your house is going to, or by that outlet and going to your laptop.
    But thats like... a long shot.
     
    hollownail, Nov 18, 2006
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