The 2023 MacBook Pro M2 Max 16-inch still has to dissipate heat through the keyboard. Therefore, and regarding the relative heat sensitivity of the matrix display, it is not a good idea to supply hot air from above through the keyboard. In the following case, unfortunately, including data loss, this has already happened.
Whether it's a hair dryer, heat gun, or rice in and on the MacBook Pro - all of this doesn't help, but rather increases the damage. What was initially just water damage quickly becomes a keyboard replacement and additional display damage under the heat of a hair dryer.
On the illustrated customer MacBook Pro (16-inch M2 Max 12 CPU / 36 GPU - Mac14,6 - A2780), the swollen and melted keyboard is the obvious damage pattern alongside the original water damage. But the enormous heat input has secretly damaged the display as well, thereby quietly causing the much more expensive and avoidable display replacement.
The many adhesives, coatings, and intermediate layers found on the short path from the protective glass to the image-generating, luminous panel are not only numerous but also sensitive. With excessive heat, these tarnish, become milky, separate from each other, and lead to cloud formation and opaque areas on the display. This is particularly annoying when professional reasons make it impossible to overlook such beauty flaws in the image.
Therefore, here are the steps that really help when liquid has just spilled into the MacBook or after water damage:
- Unplug the power cable
- Also disconnect the power adapter from the MacBook itself
- Unscrew the MacBook and disconnect the battery cable from the logic board
In the 2nd photo, you can see the various flat cable connectors of the trackpad, logic board, and battery arranged next to and below each other in the center of the image - with the battery connector somewhat hidden underneath.
In older MacBook Pro models, the battery connector and cable connection are much easier to find. Depending on how well you know your way around and how dexterous you are, you can safely disconnect the battery on modern MacBooks as well.
Always, of course, provided that you have a suitable screwdriver for your MacBook's bottom plate at hand.