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2013 MacBook Air Battery

StarShot

StarShot

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 31, 2014
1,151
397
Wondering if I should replace the battery in my 2013 model. The computer seems to run fine when plugged in or unplugged with more than 30% of battery shown. I see that Best Buy charges $129 to replace the battery.

My problem is when I'm unplugged and the battery shows maybe 30% or less, the screen intermittently goes dark and the only way to restart is to hold the start button down for new reboot. If this problem is NOT because the battery only has 30% left before a recharge, then it's something else that one day soon may brick the laptop. I'm thinking of replacing the Air with the new model.
 
ApfelKuchen said:
Look beyond the battery icon, which only tells you the current charging condition, to System Information > Power. That will reveal cycle count and Apple's assessment of Battery Condition. Expected life of the battery in your model is 1000 cycles.

More info here: https://support.apple.com/HT201585
Click to expand...
My battery count is 998 cycles, but it say "normal" underneath the battery count. Forgetting about a disaster, would my MBA fire right back up with all my info if I had the battery replaced.

The screen went dark which shuts the computer down. At the time it showed the battery at 33%. AFAIK, this shutdown only happens when the unit is not plugged in. From what I see, I assume I could use this MBA for a long time to come as long as I leave it plugged in.
 
I suspect "Normal" will change sometime in the near future.

Yes, barring disaster, the MBA should fire back up with all your info following the battery replacement. However, you should always have yourself covered in case of disaster. It's an older machine, battery failure isn't the only possible disaster. If you're not already making regular backups, you should.

Yes, you probably could get a good bit of use out of it as long as you keep it connected to charger. You may find it harder and harder to boot it back up after those shutdowns.
 
It's my understanding that a cycle is sum of recharging to 100%. So, if I recharged when it hit 50% and I did that again when it hit 50%, that would only count as 1 cycle. Is that right?

This model (2013) seems to sell on eBay for about $200-$250. If I sold it for that money without a new battery, that would be fine. I saw a battery replacement quote of $130. Factering that in, not much money left after selling (maybe $70-$120) and even less with eBay's fees. I guess if I replace the battery, I'll keep it a few more years at least. I think Catalina is the LAST upgrade for this model.
 
Last edited:
I have used third-party batteries from Amazon for $50 to $70 CAD. Given the age of the Air, spending $130 on a battery seems out of proportion. The battery is very easy to replace because it is not glued in place like the retina MBPs.

I'm not sure that Catalina will be the last OS for the 2013 Air because the 2013 to 2017 non-retina Airs are bascially the same with the exception of a cpu upgrade and a minor chipset revision.
 
StarShot said:
It's my understanding that a cycle is sum of recharging to 100%. So, if I recharged when it hit 50% and I did that again when it hit 50%, that would only count as 1 cycle. Is that right?

This model (2013) seems to sell on eBay for about $200-$250. If I sold it for that money without a new battery, that would be fine. I saw a battery replacement quote of $130. Factering that in, not much money left after selling (maybe $70-$120) and even less with eBay's fees. I guess if I replace the battery, I'll keep it a few more years at least. I think Catalina is the LAST upgrade for this model.
Click to expand...

Yes, your definition of "cycle" is correct.

I'd agree with your financial analysis. The point of replacing the battery would be to extend your ownership, rather than enhance the resale value. However, I'm not sure that you'd succeed in selling for $200-$250 if the buyer were to ask for the current cycle count.

I'm also not so sure Catalina will be the last OS version, since Apple's criteria for that tend to be technological rather than chronological (the ability of a particular chip set to support particular functions).

Just using MBA as an example (since each product line has a different date):

Catalina - 2012 or later
Mojave - 2012 or later
High Sierra - late 2010 or later
Sierra - late 2010 or later
El Capitan - late 2008 or later

(Late 2008 is the second model of MBA. The original MBA can't go higher than Lion)

The pattern appears to be a two-year leap every two years, so yes, it's possible that Catalina will be the last version. However, if we look beyond MBA we'll find things are not nearly as clockwork. We'll know in a bit more than 4 months, when WWDC comes along.
 
I read somewhere that Catalina was the last option that would work on a 2013 MBA. Then I saw the following line...

MacBook Air models from mid-2012 or later, this from the link below. I can attest that Catalina seems to work find on my MBA early 2013 model.

www.macworld.co.uk

How to install macOS Sonoma on an unsupported Mac

Mac too old to run the latest macOS? Maybe not! Here's how to update old Macs to Monterey using the Monterey patcher. We discuss other macOS versions too.
www.macworld.co.uk www.macworld.co.uk
 
StarShot said:
I read somewhere that Catalina was the last option that would work on a 2013 MBA. Then I saw the following line...

MacBook Air models from mid-2012 or later, this from the link below. I can attest that Catalina seems to work find on my MBA early 2013 model.

www.macworld.co.uk

How to install macOS Sonoma on an unsupported Mac

Mac too old to run the latest macOS? Maybe not! Here's how to update old Macs to Monterey using the Monterey patcher. We discuss other macOS versions too.
www.macworld.co.uk www.macworld.co.uk
Click to expand...
If you "read somewhere" that Catalina will be the last to work on a 2013 MBA, then it's pure speculation. We won't know until Apple announces macOS 10.16 at the World Wide Developers Conference, which is usually held in July.

Yes, there's a whole forum here dedicated to running newer versions of macOS on older, unsupported Macs.

There are official Apple support documents that list the compatible Mac models for a particular version of the OS. That's how I created the list in my previous post. From that official info, every Mac-oriented website produces their own rehash with embellishments. However, you're concerned about the future, not the present - nobody yet knows the future.
 
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ApfelKuchen said:
If you "read somewhere" that Catalina will be the last to work on a 2013 MBA, then it's pure speculation. We won't know until Apple announces macOS 10.16 at the World Wide Developers Conference, which is usually held in July.
Click to expand...

I really don't care if my Early '13 MBA will support future macOS systems to come. I'm looking to upgrade to the current MBA soon and someone on eBay can worry if they can't download future maxOS upgrades.
 
StarShot said:
My battery count is 998 cycles, but it say "normal" underneath the battery count. Forgetting about a disaster, would my MBA fire right back up with all my info if I had the battery replaced.

The screen went dark which shuts the computer down. At the time it showed the battery at 33%. AFAIK, this shutdown only happens when the unit is not plugged in. From what I see, I assume I could use this MBA for a long time to come as long as I leave it plugged in.
Click to expand...
Have you done a SMC reset to recalibrate your battery ?

If so, take a look at the NewerTech NuPower 55Wh batteries - they are the most amazing battery pack that you can get new for $79 and you DIY.
 
4sallypat said:
Have you done a SMC reset to recalibrate your battery ?

If so, take a look at the NewerTech NuPower 55Wh batteries - they are the most amazing battery pack that you can get new for $79 and you DIY.
Click to expand...

I tried the SMC reset without success. The "newertech battery..." looks like an easy installation. I'll have to see if I have the Apple screw driver set and if so, I may give it a try. Other than a lot of screws to keep track of, I like the simple connector that connects to the computer. Great youtube video that shows the installation.

Thanks
 
eric89074 said:
Do it yourself. Many batteries come with screwdrivers as well.
Click to expand...
Correct.
The new batteries come with set of the pentalobe & torx screwdrivers.

Luckily, these batteries are not glued down like the rMBP and newer devices making a battery swap easy as pie...
 
As a rule of thumb, always disconnect the battery as soon as you remove the bottom cover. The last thing you want is to drop something metallic on the logic board with the battery connected.
 
IMG_5298.jpg
 
I'm just about ready to crank up my nerve and do this battery swap.
 
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