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

CONFIRMED FOR SPAIN (by me personally)

Just came back from the long wait at the Apple Store and can confirm this story for Spain. The Apple guy said it's a 'program that started a week ago'; yes he called it a 'program'.

I've been to the Apple Store 3 weeks ago or so and was waiting for my free battery (available after 15 September) + free screen (the other program for my mid-2012 rMBP which they allowed me to do in one big repair).

He gave me the choice: Wait till 15 September and get a free battery, or get a replacement machine within 15 days for the price of the battery.

I'm a happy I'll be getting a new 2.8GHz model (slightly better than my current 2.7GHz one) for about 200 euro.

I praise Apple once again for their amazing service. Thanks!
 
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meaning-matters said:
CONFIRMED FOR SPAIN (by me personally)

Just came back from the long wait at the Apple Store and can confirm this story for Spain. The Apple guy said it's a 'program that started a week ago'; yes he called it a 'program'.

I've been to the Apple Store 3 weeks ago or so and was waiting for my free battery + free screen (the other program for my mid-2012 rMBP).

I'm a happy to get a brand new machine for about 200 euro.
Click to expand...

That sounds promising!
 
Confirming my own experience at Apple Store / Sherway Gardens / Toronto, Canada after narrowly missing my appointment at Eaton Centre and being turned away until Friday.

After writing this story yesterday, I booked my own Genius Bar appointment at getsupport.apple.com and took my Mid-2012 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro with a "Service Battery" status in About This Mac and just 56% capacity health on coconutBattery into the Apple Store. Genius ran the diagnostic test, confirmed the battery needed servicing, and said I have the option to get an entire replacement model of equivalent specs. He wrote down my current MBP's tech specs, went to the back a few times, and said I'll get a newer model — he didn't specify which unfortunately — in about a week. The only cost will be the regular out-of-warranty battery price of $259 Canadian.
 
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So Apple glues in the battery, make the replacement process to replace a whole assembly.
I'd never have seen this coming...
 
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dilbert99 said:
So Apple glues in the battery, make the replacement process to replace a whole assembly.
I'd never have seen this coming...
Click to expand...
Again, the late 2013-mid 2015 have the same thing except they're in stock. They must've just gotten unlucky w/ a supplier.
 
Joe Rossignol said:
Confirming my own experience at Apple Store / Sherway Gardens / Toronto, Canada after narrowly missing my appointment at Eaton Centre and being turned away until Friday.

After writing this story yesterday, I booked my own Genius Bar appointment at getsupport.apple.com and took my Mid-2012 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro with a "Service Battery" status in About This Mac and just 56% capacity health on coconutBattery into the Apple Store. Genius ran the diagnostic test, confirmed the battery needed servicing, and said I have the option to get an entire replacement model of equivalent specs. He wrote down my current MBP's tech specs, went to the back a few times, and said I'll get a newer model — he didn't specify which unfortunately — in about a week. The only cost will be the regular out-of-warranty battery price of $259 Canadian.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I'm headed to Eatons Centre on Saturday to see what they might offer for my LATE 2013 (hopefully that still qualifies). FWIW I much prefer Sherway, it has superior customer service.
 
Went into an Apple store in the UK this morning. They said I had to wait for the part to come in and gave me no option of a replacement.

Knew it was too good to be true. Dont believe everything you read on Reddit!
 
EB-V10 said:
Went into an Apple store in the UK this morning. They said I had to wait for the part to come in and gave me no option of a replacement.

Knew it was too good to be true. Dont believe everything you read on Reddit!
Click to expand...
There are dozens of people who have had it done, myself included. I bet apple will be (or already has) stopped doing this because the press is publicizing this now. Not good.
 
EB-V10 said:
Went into an Apple store in the UK this morning. They said I had to wait for the part to come in and gave me no option of a replacement.

Knew it was too good to be true. Dont believe everything you read on Reddit!
Click to expand...

Happened to me in Covent Garden. Free replacement in September or money off a new model.
 
Found one used on CL mbp 2012 and 15" for 450 dollars. 70% battery life on full charge and 157 cycles. Hmm... To gamle or not to gamble.
 
Just got off from the World Trade Center store, and I can confirm that my 2012 rmbp will be replaced with a newer model. I was told that it will most likely be a 2016 model but he also added 'god knows' so finger crossed for the 2017 one lol
 
I just went to betterworx in Berlin (Prenzlauer Allee), I got the impression that they didn't even know about this deal. They told I had to leave my mac there and wait 2-3 weeks for the replacement parts. But then again, they told they're only like 3rd level of authorized service, so I'm trying my luck with the one at Kurfurstendamm I think.
 
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WOW, best news I've heard in a long time. Have been nursing a 'service battery' on my 2012 retina for a while and it's not lasting long. Was thinking of selling it and getting a new one but if I can get even a modest update for 200 it's a no brainer.
 
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dilbert99 said:
So Apple glues in the battery, make the replacement process to replace a whole assembly.
I'd never have seen this coming...
Click to expand...

People are getting a free upgrade, I don't see a problem here.
[doublepost=1500989885][/doublepost]
barrett14 said:
Well, I walked in with a base 2012 Macbook Pro Retina and walked out with the $2800 version of the 2017 Macbook Pro. I had to pay the $200 battery repair fee, and $400 for the difference between the base model ($2400) and the $2800 version.

I had the opportunity to get this repaired several months ago but passed. I am glad I got lucky!
Click to expand...

Are you in the States or somewhere else? Did they argue with you much or give you options?
 
barrett14 said:
Well, I walked in with a base 2012 Macbook Pro Retina and walked out with the $2800 version of the 2017 Macbook Pro. I had to pay the $200 battery repair fee, and $400 for the difference between the base model ($2400) and the $2800 version.

I had the opportunity to get this repaired several months ago but passed. I am glad I got lucky!
Click to expand...

How did the upgrade work? Can you walk me through the conversation. They first offered you a replacement laptop or did you specifically ask for a replacement laptop?

Then did they offer if you wanted to upgrade or you asked?

I have a genius bar appt for Thursday and if I could get anywhere near the result you did I'd be tickled pink
 
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