unsanitary bad odor on Mac Mini

[vic41vp]

I recently purchased a Mac Mini (Intel Core 2 Duo). This Mac Mini was assembled in China. It seems that this Mac Mini was manufactured on an unsanitary dirty bench.

Every Mac Mini has a large rubber cushion on the bottom. The size of the rubber cushion is about 6 inches by 6 inches. The rubber cushion on the Mac Mini I purchased has a very bad odor. It smells of unsanitary bacteria. As you know, if a wet towel is kept wet for a week, bacteria will grow on the towel, and the towel will start a bad odor. I suspect that this Mac Mini was assembled on a dirty wet bench. Then, the rubber cushion of this Mac Mini was wrapped with a plastic film at the factory. When I first unwrapped the film, I perceived a disgusting odor from the rubber and from the film. This film kept the rubber wet for months and hence the bacteria have grown in the rubber. Rubber has many microscopic holes. I suspect that bacteria grew in these microscopic holes of this rubber cushion.

There is another possibility. Instead of the bench, the glue on the film may have been the source of bacteria.

No matter whether the source is the bench or the glue, it is obvious that a factory in China has a hygienic problem. Apple should investigate this issue, and correct the problematic factory in China.

 

[harcosparky]

You should be telling this to Apple, if it is true!

 

[Queso]

Take the mini back.

There you go. Problem solved.

 

[kresh]

heh. You made me smell the bottom of my Mac Mini, which quickly prompted my wife to ask me if I had lost my mind.

Mine smelled like rubber, whew.

Not to make light of your plight, I would definitely contact Apple and tell them your concerns. I can't imagine they would want to risk you becoming a biological casualty to the Mac Mini.

 

[arkitect]

Take it back to Apple asap…

That having been said, I fail to understand why people will come and complain on MacRumors rather than actually take the most logical steps?

If I got a brand new Mac and it smelt something bad I wouldn't rant on MacRumors about it… I'd get myself down to the Apple store and get it sorted (and then come back and moan about it. )

Or maybe some people just love a good old moan?

 

[nickf]

Bacteria grow on wet towels because they contain an accessible carbon source (-skin cells, urea, faecal matter, dandruff, that sort of thing). They don't grow on vulcanised rubber (if they did, several biotech companies would be offering you a considerable amounts money. Car tyres aren't biodegradable ).

So, relax. The odour is due to volatile compounds in the rubber being released as you unpacked the machine. There's no biological hazard here.

 

[bluedoggiant]

LMAO!!

You made my day.

kresh Also did, I can imagine how he reacted to this, very funny.

But on topic, call apple, or take it to the apple store.

 

[Wee Beastie]

Bacteria grow on wet towels because they contain an accessible carbon source (-skin cells, urea, faecal matter, dandruff, that sort of thing). They don't grow on vulcanised rubber (if they did, several biotech companies would be offering you a considerable amounts money. Car tyres aren't biodegradable ).

So, relax. The odour is due to volatile compounds in the rubber being released as you unpacked the machine. There's no biological hazard here.

I agree that it may not be hazardous to the OP's health, but bacteria live everywhere--nearly every surface, every crevice on this planet. Scientists have discovered bacteria living in places thought to be utterly uninhabitable by any form of life. There is bacteria on and inside every Mac Mini in existence (rubber foot included)

wee beastie

 

[Cave Man]

Are you sure it didn't come with Windows preinstalled?

 

[bluedoggiant]

Are you sure it didn't come with Windows preinstalled?

Good one

 

[vic41vp]

Bacteria grow on wet towels because they contain an accessible carbon source (-skin cells, urea, faecal matter, dandruff, that sort of thing). They don't grow on vulcanised rubber (if they did, several biotech companies would be offering you a considerable amounts money. Car tyres aren't biodegradable ).

The rubber cushion was wrapped with plastic film. There was adhesive on the film so that the film can stick to the rubber. The adhesive contains starch, which is carbohydrate. So, at least this carbohydrate must have been food for the bacteria to eat and grow.

Thanks for a scientific comment, though, nickf.

In fact, I tried three brand-new Mac Minis recently. All of them turned out to have the same disgusting odor!

 

[sk8mash]

Maybe ure just thinking of the "new apple product" smell, that you either love or hate?!

 

[juanster]

Maybe ure just thinking of the "new apple product" smell, that you either love or hate?!

thats more like it specially if you think the same for three different minis its probably kind of like me and the taste of vanilla or liver there are many many disgusting things I would rather taste than the taste of vanilla or liver in my mouth

 

[Father Jack]

Thankfully mine doesn't smell of anything, but we may just start a new craze of "Mini sniffing" Sounds rather erotic ..