I have a 2013 Retina MacBook Pro, and I really want to install Debian on it. I have the know-how and have had at least three Debian systems before this. I am very knowledgable with the command-line and Linux's inner workings, and partitioning isn't an issue for me.
So, I just have one question before I install Debian. My dad has warned me that Linux, in particular, can make laptop batteries explode and/or ruin hardware on MacBooks.
I find this very strange, but don't really have any research to disprove it. I can't seem to find anything about it on the Internet, so can someone help me out?
Best Answer
Laptop batteries typically have onboard firmware to control safe charging & discharging of the battery, report battery charge level to the OS, and prevent thermal runaway, which is what will cause an Li-ion battery to explode (or more accurately, catch fire). Most modern ones also contain mechanical failsafes to prevent such fires & explosions.
This firmware is stored on the battery, separate from the OS. While it can be updated from the OS (although this depends on the battery & laptop), it's not something that is altered when installing a new OS or something that is typically ever tampered with unless done so by the user running a battery firmware update.
The only thing changing OS will affect is the load on the system & the hardware drivers used, not the safety features of the battery. Load on the system in and of itself will not normally cause issues with the battery other than faster discharging.
Interestingly, according to this forbes article, there was actually a vulnerability in Apple laptops (running OSX, not Linux) that could do nasty things to the firmware on the batteries - perhaps your Dad has read something like that which is why he seems to think the OS can do this?
(It's more than likely been fixed since 2011 when the article was written).
EDIT - in conclusion, aside from possible attack vectors for battery firmware hacks, the choice of OS alone cannot cause a battery to explode.