Official Apple iPod Battery Replacements?

MacRumors · 02:58 AM

According to sources, Apple is planning on introducing an official iPod Battery Replacement program. Through the program, iPod owners will be able to send in their out of warranty iPods to replace worn batteries. The lack of an official battery replacement program has been a common criticism amongst iPod owners. Apple's official replacement service is expected to be priced at $99.

Replacement iPod batteries have been available from 3rd parties from $50 and up, but have only available for earlier iPod models.

Sabenth · Nov 14, 2003, 02:35 AM

about bloody time too

shadowfax · Nov 14, 2003, 02:35 AM

sweet. that will extend our iPod lives a lot.

bets on whether this will only be for the 3g ipods and later....?

that reminds me... i need to get my ipod LCD repaired.

JohnGillilan · Nov 14, 2003, 02:37 AM

They should be free. The battery on my 1st iPod has completely crapped out. There have also been serious battery issues on my 3G iPod as well.

arn · Nov 14, 2003, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnGillilan
They should be free. The battery on my 1st iPod has completely crapped out. There have also been serious battery issues on my 3G iPod as well.

Apple will cover premature battery issues under their normal warranty.

arn

nagromme · Nov 14, 2003, 02:40 AM

3 hours is the longest I'd probably need to go, so I could let my batt get pretty old. But then I'd want a program like this to keep my iPod going.

foniks2020 · Nov 14, 2003, 02:43 AM

Anyone know what the average lifespan of today's iPods could be? Year, 2 years? or better yet how many recharge cycles?

Photorun · Nov 14, 2003, 02:55 AM

If anyone is having battery issues within a year Apple very well may take care of it, after that though you're on your own, Apple doesn't offer a warranty on the iPod and/or you can't buy AC three years on them.

It's great that Apple is offering this service as it will come up. If you discharge your iPod regularly as you should (as anyone with a portable iBook or Powerbook should) you should be able to get a good two to three years (or more) out of the rechargeable batteries. That's probably why Apple is introducing this program about now, some two years after the iPod's introduction.

$99 may seem like a lot but think of it this way, a new iBook or Powerbook battery costs a hell of a lot more than that. The $99 includes labor and battery replacement and you don't have to worry about your battery again... well, for another up to three years.

Small price to pay for thousands of songs in your pocket.

paulypants · Nov 14, 2003, 03:02 AM

i agree 99$ is about right--and its good to have that piece of mind that when the battery does run down you have that option to go to as opposed to having to purchase a new ipod altogether, which i'll probably end up doing anyway *sigh*

sethypoo · Nov 14, 2003, 03:57 AM

I would rather just save up for a new one, unless I get even more attached to my iPod then I am now.....

Analog Kid · Nov 14, 2003, 04:04 AM

I dunno... The low end iPod is $300, is twice the capacity of the 5GB, and support the modern firmware and peripherals. A $99 battery replacement doesn't give them a lot of space at the low end for lower priced models, and it might even be a tough call for someone to choose between a battery replacement and the current bottom model.

I guess that's the job of a good marketing department-- price things right at the threshold of pain...

$50 would certainly be more attractive. I don't know what the battery itself costs though.

Good to know there's the option, at least.

AT71 · Nov 14, 2003, 04:04 AM

It should be US$69 for an Apple-branded battery. Otherwise US$59 is about the right price for a replacement battery.

What a rip-off from Apple again.

Luv Mac, Hate Apple Inc.

iwantanewmac · Nov 14, 2003, 05:08 AM

Exactly. About bloody time.
Though I bet it won't be for european customers.....
Anyway, my 3g ipod never ran for more that 5/6 hours. now with 2.1 installed it gets even less life.
Any1 know how to revert to the previous update?

davetrow1997 · Nov 14, 2003, 05:55 AM

All updates should be in Applications:Utilities.

Do a hard reset, restoring the iPod to its original factory condition.

You will lose all data/songs, so backup prior.

Then go to that folder and install the update that you want.

peterj1967 · Nov 14, 2003, 07:07 AM

They have been available for the original iPods for a while. Not through Apple and in a do-it-yourself kit. But a lot less then $99

Haven't tried it, I still get about 4hrs per charge out of my original 5gig iPod

No need to replace yet for my uses

http://www.pdasmart.com/ipodpartscenter.htm

but it is good to see apple ooffering them.

Blaaze · Nov 14, 2003, 07:26 AM

I say drop it to $50, and I will be immensely satisfied. But I'm thinking Apple's strategy for this is to keep it a bit pricey so it encourages people to buy new iPods. But then again $99 and $299 is a pretty hefty difference.

SiliconAddict · Nov 14, 2003, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AT71
It should be US$69 for an Apple-branded battery. Otherwise US$59 is about the right price for a replacement battery.

What a rip-off from Apple again.

Luv Mac, Hate Apple Inc.

Lith Ion batts aren't cheap. $99 sounds about right when you consider labor added. Would you prefer to go out and buy a new iPod?
You can bet your months paycheck that this is in direct response to the competition a service that those other guys don't have. If Toshiba, Dell and the like weren't coming out with HD based music players I'd bet cash this service wouldn't happen.

poultryfarm · Nov 14, 2003, 07:29 AM

i'm happy to see this.
just out of curiosity does anybody know how this compares to the other hd players out there. does dell or iriver or the napster player have some sort of service as well?

zim · Nov 14, 2003, 07:47 AM

Good idea BUT, parting with my iPod?

I would hope that they would put trained staff in the apple stores that could do this on spot, me things that would be a good idea

zac4mac · Nov 14, 2003, 07:56 AM

Have any of you complainers tried to get the back off your iPod? The first gen wasn't too bad, but I'd pay somebody 50 bucks just so I don't have to do that again. I've had the back off both of mine, a 5GB-G1 and a 15GB-G3 to remove that nasty "ultra-shine" that attracts so many fingerprints.
I applaud Apple on this move. A little unusual for them, tells me they feel the iPod is extremely important to the company.

Z

azdude · Nov 14, 2003, 07:56 AM

www.ipodbattery.com does have 3G iPod battery replacements, and they're actually higher in mAh than the OEM... so life should be longer, theoretically.

bensisko · Nov 14, 2003, 08:46 AM

$99 is way to exepensive for a battery for the iPod. $130 is way to expensive for a powerbook battery that lasts only two hours. Perhaps of Apple found a way to make it a 15 hour battery, $99 would be at least closer to being worth it, but, marketing or not, I'd rather just buy a new iPod, especially if they come out with a 10GB for $199. i just bought a 10GB (a trade up from my 1st Gen iPod), and I love it. The best part is the AA battery pack, which was probably the single most important reason for upgrading. I can't tell you how many times I left the house, only to realize too late that my iPod is not charged. I wouldn't mind going back to the first gen iPod size if it meant I could use a rechargable battery OR a couple AAs.

In closing, I'd just like to say, I look good in red....

jcshas · Nov 14, 2003, 08:49 AM

It's about time!

stockscalper · Nov 14, 2003, 08:50 AM

At those prices I'll buy the competition.

mymemory · Nov 14, 2003, 08:59 AM

What a waste of money

I think the battery exchange is way too expensive as well as th iPod itself.

I repeat, how can something that only reproduce sound can be half as expensive as an iBook that has 300 times the technology inside?

The iPod is Apple best business of course, it is a better deal even that early iMacs. Out off the assembly line and iPod shouldn't cost more than $20 or $40 for sure.

A 40Gb iPod should not cost more than $200.

It doesn't have FM radio.
It doesn't have color LCD.
It doesn't play Quictimes.
It doesn't preview pictures.
It doesn't have a respectful audio imput.

All of that starting at $299!!!

Nov 14, 2003, 02:34 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Official Apple iPod Battery Replacements? According to sources, Apple is planning on introducing an official iPod Battery Replacement program. Through the program, iPod owners will be able to send in their out of warranty iPods to replace worn batteries. The lack of an official battery replacement program has been a common criticism amongst iPod owners. Apple's official replacement service is expected to be priced at $99. Replacement iPod batteries have been available from 3rd parties from $50 and up, but have only available for earlier iPod models. Last edited by arn : Nov 14, 2003 at 02:58 AM.

Nov 14, 2003, 02:35 AM	#2
Sabenth macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK	about bloody time too __________________ http://www.icompositions.com/artists/Lapskin/ Yep i am lapskin

Nov 14, 2003, 02:35 AM	#3
shadowfax macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Houston, TX	sweet. that will extend our iPod lives a lot. bets on whether this will only be for the 3g ipods and later....? that reminds me... i need to get my ipod LCD repaired. __________________ iMac 3.06 GHz \| 4GB RAM \| 500 GB ::: Unibody MacBook 2.4 GHz \| 4GB RAM\| 250GB 80 GB Video iPod ::: 16 GB iPhone 3G

Nov 14, 2003, 02:37 AM	#4
JohnGillilan macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles	They should be free. The battery on my 1st iPod has completely crapped out. There have also been serious battery issues on my 3G iPod as well. __________________ "If you've got beef, eat a porkchop." -- Coolio

Nov 14, 2003, 02:40 AM	#6
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	3 hours is the longest I'd probably need to go, so I could let my batt get pretty old. But then I'd want a program like this to keep my iPod going. __________________ nagromme Would you like a treatment?

Nov 14, 2003, 02:43 AM	#7
foniks2020 macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2002	lifespan? Anyone know what the average lifespan of today's iPods could be? Year, 2 years? or better yet how many recharge cycles? __________________ and I'm not a neurosurgeon, I just play one on T.V.

Nov 14, 2003, 02:55 AM	#8
Photorun Banned Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NYC	If anyone is having battery issues within a year Apple very well may take care of it, after that though you're on your own, Apple doesn't offer a warranty on the iPod and/or you can't buy AC three years on them. It's great that Apple is offering this service as it will come up. If you discharge your iPod regularly as you should (as anyone with a portable iBook or Powerbook should) you should be able to get a good two to three years (or more) out of the rechargeable batteries. That's probably why Apple is introducing this program about now, some two years after the iPod's introduction. $99 may seem like a lot but think of it this way, a new iBook or Powerbook battery costs a hell of a lot more than that. The $99 includes labor and battery replacement and you don't have to worry about your battery again... well, for another up to three years. Small price to pay for thousands of songs in your pocket.

Nov 14, 2003, 03:02 AM	#9
paulypants macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2003	i agree 99$ is about right--and its good to have that piece of mind that when the battery does run down you have that option to go to as opposed to having to purchase a new ipod altogether, which i'll probably end up doing anyway sigh

Nov 14, 2003, 03:57 AM	#10
sethypoo macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA, USA	I would rather just save up for a new one, unless I get even more attached to my iPod then I am now..... __________________ Weeeeeee!

Nov 14, 2003, 04:04 AM	#11
Analog Kid macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2003	I dunno... The low end iPod is $300, is twice the capacity of the 5GB, and support the modern firmware and peripherals. A $99 battery replacement doesn't give them a lot of space at the low end for lower priced models, and it might even be a tough call for someone to choose between a battery replacement and the current bottom model. I guess that's the job of a good marketing department-- price things right at the threshold of pain... $50 would certainly be more attractive. I don't know what the battery itself costs though. Good to know there's the option, at least. __________________ "Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand... Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear walk hand-in-hand." --Peart

Nov 14, 2003, 04:04 AM	#12
AT71 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2003	US$99 for replacment battery? Too expensive! It should be US$69 for an Apple-branded battery. Otherwise US$59 is about the right price for a replacement battery. What a rip-off from Apple again. Luv Mac, Hate Apple Inc.

Nov 14, 2003, 05:08 AM	#13
iwantanewmac macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2001	Exactly. About bloody time. Though I bet it won't be for european customers..... Anyway, my 3g ipod never ran for more that 5/6 hours. now with 2.1 installed it gets even less life. Any1 know how to revert to the previous update?

Nov 14, 2003, 05:55 AM	#14
davetrow1997 macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Augusta, SC	install a previous update All updates should be in Applications:Utilities. Do a hard reset, restoring the iPod to its original factory condition. You will lose all data/songs, so backup prior. Then go to that folder and install the update that you want.

Nov 14, 2003, 07:07 AM	#15
peterj1967 macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2002	They have been available for the original iPods for a while. Not through Apple and in a do-it-yourself kit. But a lot less then $99 Haven't tried it, I still get about 4hrs per charge out of my original 5gig iPod No need to replace yet for my uses http://www.pdasmart.com/ipodpartscenter.htm but it is good to see apple ooffering them.

Nov 14, 2003, 07:26 AM	#16
Blaaze macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2003	I say drop it to $50, and I will be immensely satisfied. But I'm thinking Apple's strategy for this is to keep it a bit pricey so it encourages people to buy new iPods. But then again $99 and $299 is a pretty hefty difference.

Nov 14, 2003, 07:29 AM	#18
poultryfarm macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2003	i'm happy to see this. just out of curiosity does anybody know how this compares to the other hd players out there. does dell or iriver or the napster player have some sort of service as well?

Nov 14, 2003, 07:47 AM	#19
zim macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2002	Good idea BUT, parting with my iPod? I would hope that they would put trained staff in the apple stores that could do this on spot, me things that would be a good idea

Nov 14, 2003, 07:56 AM	#20
zac4mac macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: near Boulder, CO. USA	Have any of you complainers tried to get the back off your iPod? The first gen wasn't too bad, but I'd pay somebody 50 bucks just so I don't have to do that again. I've had the back off both of mine, a 5GB-G1 and a 15GB-G3 to remove that nasty "ultra-shine" that attracts so many fingerprints. I applaud Apple on this move. A little unusual for them, tells me they feel the iPod is extremely important to the company. Z __________________ I build things, break things and catch things on fire. I love my job.

Nov 14, 2003, 07:56 AM	#21
azdude macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2003	www.ipodbattery.com does have 3G iPod battery replacements, and they're actually higher in mAh than the OEM... so life should be longer, theoretically.

Nov 14, 2003, 08:46 AM	#22
bensisko macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Village	Marketing or not... $99 is way to exepensive for a battery for the iPod. $130 is way to expensive for a powerbook battery that lasts only two hours. Perhaps of Apple found a way to make it a 15 hour battery, $99 would be at least closer to being worth it, but, marketing or not, I'd rather just buy a new iPod, especially if they come out with a 10GB for $199. i just bought a 10GB (a trade up from my 1st Gen iPod), and I love it. The best part is the AA battery pack, which was probably the single most important reason for upgrading. I can't tell you how many times I left the house, only to realize too late that my iPod is not charged. I wouldn't mind going back to the first gen iPod size if it meant I could use a rechargable battery OR a couple AAs. In closing, I'd just like to say, I look good in red.... __________________ What if you could get tommorrow's AvantGo channel.....today?

Nov 14, 2003, 08:49 AM	#23
jcshas macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2003	Long over due! It's about time!

Nov 14, 2003, 08:50 AM	#24
stockscalper macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Area 51	At those prices I'll buy the competition.

Nov 14, 2003, 08:59 AM	#25
mymemory Banned Join Date: May 2001 Location: Miami	What a waste of money I think the battery exchange is way too expensive as well as th iPod itself. I repeat, how can something that only reproduce sound can be half as expensive as an iBook that has 300 times the technology inside? The iPod is Apple best business of course, it is a better deal even that early iMacs. Out off the assembly line and iPod shouldn't cost more than $20 or $40 for sure. A 40Gb iPod should not cost more than $200. It doesn't have FM radio. It doesn't have color LCD. It doesn't play Quictimes. It doesn't preview pictures. It doesn't have a respectful audio imput. All of that starting at $299!!!

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