Applecare and Batteries

[zroll1]

I recently read an article in Macworld written by Jeff Carlson talking about "Laptop Battery Smarts." In this article he says that "if the battery provides less than 50 percent of its original capacity and you're still covered by the laptop's one-year warranty (or Apple Care's three-year warranty), Apple will replace the battery at no cost." Before I read this article I had already talked to Apple about replacing my battery because I only get twenty minutes to half an hour before I have to plug it in. They said that because I've had my TiBook for more than two years that it's probably just worn out and they weren't going to replace it. But according to the article above, they should replace it no matter what, as long as I have Apple Care. Can anyone tell me which is true? Was this a false statement from the Macworld article or can I really get a replacement battery? Please respond ASAP because my Apple Care runs out soon!!!

[LeeTom]

I was curious about this as well, but it appears the Macworld article is slightly mistaken. I believe the 50% thing applies only through the first year.

Here is what the AppleCare Terms & Conditions have to say:


The Plan does not cover:
...
Repair, replacement, or maintenance of items that have been subject to wear and tear, such as cases, key caps, knobs, handles, batteries or mechanical parts.


source:
http://www.apple.com/support/products/proplan_terms.html

[zroll1]

Thanks for the response. But that leads me to another question: what determines wear and tear? I mean I know batteries wear out but I think being confined to only having twenty minutes without being near an electrical outlet is kind of ridiculous. They shouldn't just be able to say that because I've had it for two years that that automatically means that it's worn. I have friends with same computer who have had theirs for longer and their batteries are fine.

[LeeTom]

A lot of times the life of the battery has to do with how you used it. If you leave a computer plugged in all the time with the battery in it, it will shorten its life much quicker than if you discharge and recharge it more regularly. Check out Apple's Notebook Battery Tips page:
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

Lee Tom

[ftaok]

I can tell you from experience, Apple has replaced batteries that were over a year old and were still under Applecare. My iBook's battery started to crap out at around the 2 year mark. I called Applecare and they sent me a new battery and a return label to send in the old one.

No fuss, no muss. Maybe you should try calling again and see if another specialist will help you out.

Good luck.

[Macmaniac]

Often if you deal through Apple repair centers you can get the battery replaced. They are usually more lenient when it comes to batteries.