AppleCare for Mac Now Covers Batteries Retaining Less Than 80% Capacity

[MacRumors]

Just a few days after updating the terms of its AppleCare+ Protection Plan for iPhone, iPad, iPod and Apple Watch to cover batteries that retain less than 80% of their original capacity within the extended warranty period, Apple has extended the same policy to the AppleCare Protection Plan for the MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

Apple previously only replaced defective batteries under the old terms of the AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac, but a support page updated today now outlines that the company will also replace a MacBook's battery at no charge if it retains less than 80% of its original capacity. If the notebook is not covered by AppleCare, replacing the battery requires paying an out-of-warranty service charge ranging between $129 and $199.

The new battery terms of the AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac:

"Your Apple One Year Limited Warranty or AppleCare Protection Plan includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. If you purchased an AppleCare Protection Plan for your Mac notebook with a non-removable battery, Apple will replace the notebook battery at no charge if it retains less than 80 percent of its original capacity. If you do not have coverage, you can have the battery replaced for a fee."

The old battery terms of the AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac:

"Your one-year warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. You can extend your replacement coverage for a defective battery to three years from the date of your notebook purchase with the AppleCare Protection Plan. However, the AppleCare Protection Plan for notebook computers does not cover batteries that have stopped working or are exhibiting diminished capacity due to normal use except when it is the result of a manufacturing defect."

MacBook notebooks with non-removable batteries:

MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) and later
All MacBook Airs
All MacBook Pros with Retina display
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) and later; MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) and later

AppleCare for Mac extends the notebook's warranty coverage and telephone technical support to three years from the original date of purchase. Without an AppleCare Protection Plan, Mac customers are covered by a limited one-year warranty and 90 days of complimentary phone support. AppleCare for Mac costs between $249 and $349 depending on the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro model.

MacBook batteries are designed to retain up to 80% of their original capacity at 1000 complete charge cycles, similar to the iPad and Apple Watch.

Apple retail staff have been informed of the new policy which is effective immediately.

Article Link: AppleCare for Mac Now Covers Batteries Retaining Less Than 80% Capacity

 

[ouimetnick]

On my mid 2010 MacBook Pro 13" I have 1291 charge cycles on my original battery and still manage to get 4 hours.

 

[nigameash]

Finally.

 

[speedbumpnv]

Does this include any MacBook with AppleCare+ purchased prior to today?

 

[tigres]

What's the test to find the percentage.

 

[Arrr]

With all the machines having non-removable batteries that are costing upwards of $300 to replace, I'm really glad Apple took this step. Especially with the newest machines that have soft cells glued to the top cases and whatnot.

Kudos Apple.

 

[mward333]

My Macbook Pro 17" (late 2011) was purchased in mid June 2012, immediately after this last 17" model was discontinued. So my AppleCare just expired a few days ago. Ugh! I would have loved to have received a new battery for this machine. Do you think it is worthwhile for me to still check with Apple about this possibility?

 

[pureheat101]

My Macbook Pro 17" (late 2011) was purchased in mid June 2012, immediately after this last 17" model was discontinued. So my AppleCare just expired a few days ago. Ugh! I would have loved to have received a new battery for this machine. Do you think it is worthwhile for me to still check with Apple about this possibility?

Never hurts to ask

 

[Dargoth]

I really hope that new laptop isn't going to be the "Face of Mac" on this forum for the foreseeable future... It really is a terrible laptop.

 

[53kyle]

I thought this was always covered... I had my battery replaced in February because it lost only 10% of it's capacity, and said "Service Battery." Maybe that fell under "defective battery," rather than "lost capacity?"

 

[ardent73]

What's the test to find the percentage.

System Information > Hardware > Power >
Battery Information:

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh):6552

Fully Charged:Yes

Charging:No

Full Charge Capacity (mAh):6554

but you have to calculate the % yourself or get an app like this one:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battery-health-monitor-battery/id490192174?mt=12

 

[Geekazoid]

Well, this is good of Apple to do this because their consumers shouldn't have to dip into their own pocket if their battery in their device, whether that be an iPad, iPhone, iPod or even a MacBook has battery problems, IMHO.

 

[oldmacs]

OH THANKYOU. I spent 2 years arguing with Apple over this to get a replacement battery. My Macbook Pro 2012 came with a battery at 85 percent health and then dropped down to 75 fairly quickly. All Apple would say was "its normal" time and time again. Frankly the service battery warning 3 months into purchase is not normal.

 

[Geekazoid]

OH THANKYOU. I spent 2 years arguing with Apple over this to get a replacement battery. My Macbook Pro 2012 came with a battery at 85 percent health and then dropped down to 75 fairly quickly. All Apple would say was "its normal" time and time again. Frankly the service battery warning 3 months into purchase is not normal.

Is your MacBook Pro still under warranty? If so, you could now get it fixed.

 

[Even Longer]

Isn't it just a great move from Apple worth appreciation? Regardless all those comments...

 

[duervo]

My Macbook Pro 17" (late 2011) was purchased in mid June 2012, immediately after this last 17" model was discontinued. So my AppleCare just expired a few days ago. Ugh! I would have loved to have received a new battery for this machine. Do you think it is worthwhile for me to still check with Apple about this possibility?

I'd take it in. Worst they can say is, "nope."

 

[Tankmaze]

Awesome news!! A new mbp battery could cost half the price of applecare already.

 

[elmateo487]

How can you have a 2009 MacBook Pro that is still covered under AppleCare?

 

[oldmacs]

Is your MacBook Pro still under warranty? If so, you could now get it fixed.

It eventually got fixed because I made a lot of noise about it. But my point is that if this had been in place in 2012, I wouldn't have had to go to the genius bar around 8 times.

 

[kingofwale]

my 2015 rMB is already down to 91% after 50 cycles. good to know

 

[newdeal]

What's the test to find the percentage.

Coconut battery

 

[~Shard~]

A pleasant surprise from Apple, I must say I'm slightly surprised they yielded on this matter. Regardless great news for many Apple users out there!

 

[Aluminum213]

my 2015 rMB is already down to 91% after 50 cycles. good to know

That's pretty fast deterioration

 

[bbeagle]

Does this include any MacBook with AppleCare+ purchased prior to today?

Yes. Anyone currently still under AppleCare+ qualifies.

My 2006 MacBook does not qualify however, since (a) It's well beyond the AppleCare+ time frame, and (b) I never got AppleCare+ for it. It still works great if plugged in though!

 

[oldmacs]

Yes. Anyone currently still under AppleCare+ qualifies.

My 2006 MacBook does not qualify however, since (a) It's well beyond the AppleCare+ time frame, and (b) I never got AppleCare+ for it. It still works great if plugged in though!

No anything with Applecare Applecare + is only for iPhone, iPad, iPod and Applewatch.