Apple Exchanging Some 2012 and Early 2013 MacBook Pros Needing Battery Service With Newer Models [Updated]

[netwalker]

My mid-2012 rMBP has been showing 'Service Battery' for a long time now and can't really be used any longer without being plugged in. Cycle count is currently at 831. Last week I went to an Apple Authorized Service Provider in Amsterdam. They ran their tests, confirmed that it needs to be replaced and then told me exactly what this article reports, that there are currently no top cases available and I should check again in September. Didn't mention the options of a free replacement in September or even an exchange. Same machine also has that screen coating issue. Guess I should make and appointment and try my luck at the Genius Bar instead.

 

[MrX8503]

Calling an Apple store over the phone to make an appointment?

Everytime I've tried to do that I get routed to central customer service.

I've never been able to reach an individual Apple Store directly.

That's now how Apple works. They do everything online and if it's serious, it's over the phone.

 

[kjparfekt]

This is a very cool example of good customer service - makes me happy that I just purchased my first mac.

 

[shaun07776]

15" rMBP-Mid 2012 a while ago it reported service battery but this message disappeared a few days later, checking with coconut Battery it reports 78.9% Design Capacity, you think its worth a go?

 

[jsnuff1]

For the non-believers I am another one of the 2012 MBPr guys that got my Mid 2012 replaced by a 2015. Best part is that they upgraded my SSD as well from 512 to 1TB!

 

[Deep Dish]

Reddit guy is full of ****, sorry folks....there is more to his story or he is just a pathological liar. There is just simply no way that Apple would just say “we’re gonna charge you 200 and give you a 5 year newer computer” for just a battery. Perhaps a year or two newer, but no way...

They've done it for me on two different occasions. Both times it was the logic board and for whatever reason, they couldn't get the part for at least a month. I was given the top of the line MPB on both occasions.

 

[entraik]

i think i qualify

 

[bkends35]

Reddit guy is full of ****, sorry folks....there is more to his story or he is just a pathological liar. There is just simply no way that Apple would just say “we’re gonna charge you 200 and give you a 5 year newer computer” for just a battery. Perhaps a year or two newer, but no way...

There's a TON of people that have gotten 2017s. Just the luck of the draw.

 

[ehmjay]

So my late 2013 rMBP has a spent battery and I had been holding off because of the cost, but if it gets me an almost brand new computer it might be worth it.

I guess my question is how will I know if they're going to replace just the battery or a new machine?

EDIT: I just saw it was for 2012 and Early 2013, so I guess I might be out of luck.

 

[newperez]

Just picked up my 2017 MacBook Pro.. had an early 2013 mac with a cracked screen.. paid $199 plus tax on Friday.. they called me today to come pick up my machine

For the nonbelievers. Check the model number

What city are you located ?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Glad to see slide to the left option in the Notifications Center. Should have been included who iOS 10.

 

[igneousc]

Lol guessing I have zero luck of qualifying based on my specs, its basically a launch unit retina too, but its almost always on my desk plugged in. Still don't get the greatest battery life these days either, when Im traveling with it.

 

[shaun07776]

Lol guessing I have zero luck of qualifying based on my specs, its basically a launch unit retina too, but its almost always on my desk plugged in. Still don't get the greatest battery life these days either, when Im traveling with it.

Let it discharge a little to about 50% mine goes up when it gets more charged

 

[redheeler]

Guess I'm out of luck. To be honest, the battery life on the Mid 2012 models is not great in general. Apple has improved that aspect of the later models.

How many of ya'll are now quickly scouring eBay???

Hmm...

 

[streetskooler]

15" rMBP-Mid 2012 a while ago it reported service battery but this message disappeared a few days later, checking with coconut Battery it reports 78.9% Design Capacity, you think its worth a go?

Yes take it in

 

[Junior117]

I guess I qualify; I have an early 2013 Retina MacBook Pro and it shuts down from 100% to 70-95% (rarely any lower), even though it says it has (as of the time of this post) 238 cycles exactly (and it also says "Service Battery").

So do I just set up a Genius Bar appointment and mention the program to them? Or would that sound arrogant?

 

[bkends35]

I guess I qualify; I have an early 2013 Retina MacBook Pro and it shuts down from 100% to 70-95% (rarely any lower), even though it says it has (as of the time of this post) 238 cycles exactly (and it also says "Service Battery").

So do I just set up a Genius Bar appointment and mention the program to them? Or would that sound arrogant?

You need to ask for a battery replacement. It's not a 'program'

 

[UltraZ33]

So I guess this just pertains to 15” mid 2012 MacBook pros?? Cause I have a 13” MacBook Pro with battery problems

 

[Junior117]

You need to ask for a battery replacement. It's not a 'program'

I meant to say "replacement program". In any case, I misread the post. Sorry.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

I have a Early 2011 MacBookPro with a battery issue. It holds 65% of capacity and it has 200 cycles. Would it qualify?

You're screwed.

The early 2011 is now Vintage, an Apple Store won't touch it. They tell ASPs to stop working on them too. (No, **** you, Apple, we're going to keep supporting our customers.)

The Newer Tech battery is quite nice, I'd recommend it. And you get to keep a MacBook Pro, a real one, with the ability to have up to 4TB of disk AND an optical drive. Change the wireless board and you can have the latest Handoff features too.

(I've got an early 2011 17" sitting on my bench, just had a new graphics chip put on it, it goes back to the customer tomorrow if it passes diagnostics.)

 

[JuBe]

Anyone else having issues with a 13 inch rMBP?

 

[GoodWheaties]

Damn wish they would have done this on my Early 2011 15' Macbook Pro. I had them replace the Battery that was shot before they discontinued service on it, last December.

It's probably just the early retina models because the non-retina models are easy-peasy to replace the battery. They do not require the whole top plate to be replaced.

 

[charlituna]

Apple has done this for years with every device. This isn't news.

actually no they haven't this is the first time that a computer with the battery attached to the top case has had a massive part constraint to the point of needing to replace units on a mass scale

 

[xbankaiz]

So I guess I should take mine to the Apple Store in Frankfurt sometime this week?

 

[CBJammin103]

Reddit guy is full of ****, sorry folks....there is more to his story or he is just a pathological liar. There is just simply no way that Apple would just say “we’re gonna charge you 200 and give you a 5 year newer computer” for just a battery. Perhaps a year or two newer, but no way...

I have a Early 2011 MacBookPro with a battery issue. It holds 65% of capacity and it has 200 cycles. Would it qualify?

FYI, Apple replaced my 15" 2011 rMBP with a brand new (not refurb) 2017 tbMBP—and a high end model not the base model because my 2011 rMBP was fully maxed out.

2011 rMBP 15" maxed -> high end 2017 (not maxed out) for a $149 "battery" charge.