Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

antisomnic

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 6, 2012
351
423
Rochester, NY
My 2020 MacBook Pro randomly stopped taking a charge and died with the battery. I've since got a 15" MacBook Air M4 and love it. I was thinking about playing around with the 2020 MacBook Pro and trying to replace the battery. is it even worth doing?
 
My 2020 MacBook Pro randomly stopped taking a charge and died with the battery. I've since got a 15" MacBook Air M4 and love it. I was thinking about playing around with the 2020 MacBook Pro and trying to replace the battery. is it even worth doing?
$159 in the USA at the Apple Store
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3244.jpeg
    IMG_3244.jpeg
    310.5 KB · Views: 7
Pretty difficult and dangerous to remove today. I recently changed a battery in my keyboard and ended up puncturing the battery showering my room with sparks and smoke because it was basically glued to the back of the keyboard.

I’d only recommend it if you have a lot of experience. lol
 
I'm thinking of doing it myself. it's not worth anything as is
If it’s not worth anything, then drop it off at Apple for recycling. Unless you have some skill at laptop repair the most likely outcome is you’re going to waste about $150 between the knock off battery and whatever tools you buy to do the job.

A few years ago, I had a relative that asked me the same question. Of course they didn’t take my advice. They wasted about $150 still ending up with a broken MacBook and a lithium battery that hopefully they disposed of properly, not tossing in some dresser drawer.

If you get entertainment from tinkering with it by all means go for it. Computer repair can be a hobby so if you’re doing it for that reason, go for it. If you’re doing it to have a working laptop with spending the least amount of money then take it to Apple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire
Pretty difficult and dangerous to remove today. I recently changed a battery in my keyboard and ended up puncturing the battery showering my room with sparks and smoke because it was basically glued to the back of the keyboard.

I’d only recommend it if you have a lot of experience. lol
Awesome! Hopefully you got it outside in time. It’s always fun to release the magic smoke and fire from a lithium battery.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire
Awesome! Hopefully you got it outside in time. It’s always fun to release the magic smoke and fire from a lithium battery.
I ran it out as fast as I could, but not before it completely filled my room and the living room with white smoke. It’s got a very unique smell. Took a long time to air out. Was very surprised from such a small battery. Haha

I used to change batteries in iPhones and iPods with no problem back in the day. You couldn’t pay me to do it today.

IMG_5253.jpeg

Edit the cage is empty and has been for years.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: russell_314
I ran it out as fast as I could, but not before it completely filled my room and the living room with white smoke. It’s got a very unique smell. Took a long time to air out. Was very surprised from such a small battery. Haha

I used to change batteries in iPhones and iPods with no problem back in the day. You couldn’t pay me to do it today.

View attachment 2536286

Edit the cage is empty and has been for years.
It’s definitely something I would recommend doing outside just in case. Not worth risking burning down the house. I don’t repair my modern electronics, but that’s mainly because I’m older now and for the most part, don’t get major enjoyment from doing this. I will say I broke this rule and repaired my electric toothbrush, but that’s because I was bored. My choice was to try to repair it or spend another $100. Of course it contains the cylinder type battery that is not easy to puncture. I’m not a fan of pouch style batteries. They are becoming more common, even in power tools and cars. I believe Dewalt is going to those and from my understanding, Porsche’s EV has a pouch style battery.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.