Apple (UK) - 2014 15" MBP 11,2 replacement batteries no longer available

[nigelbb]

I have just returned from a fruitless journey 90 minutes each way to the Apple Store in Norwich to try & get the failing battery in my mid 2014 15" MBP replaced. Unfortunately they tell me there are no more replacement batteries available as spare parts. The only suggestion was to try an Apple Authorised Service Centre in case they still have a battery in stock

I was pretty annoyed as when I booked the Genius Bar appointment for my MBP I was not warned that Apple no longer hold stock of spare parts. It's over seven years since this particular MBP model was sold so it's in Apple's classification 'obsolete' but they specifically state they discontinue all hardware service for obsolete products except for Mac laptops that are eligible for an additional battery-only repair period.

I'm kicking myself as I could have taken it in 12 months ago when I first noticed that the battery was 'Service Recommended' but it's my spare laptop so I hadn't bothered. Now my wife wants to use it I need the battery replaced as it barely lasts 15 minutes.

The guy at the Genius Bar was the same one that I saw 3 months ago who refused me a £199 replacement battery for my 2015 15" MBP as the diagnostics didn't show it as sufficiently deteriorated. This despite the fact that battery life is only one third of what it used to be. I'm now concerned that when the battery is sufficiently deteriorated so as to be eligible for replacement that again I will be knocked back because they have no parts. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...tery-replacement-price.2355940/?post=31372313

 

[russell_314]

I have just returned from a fruitless journey 90 minutes each way to the Apple Store in Norwich to try & get the failing battery in my mid 2014 15" MBP replaced. Unfortunately they tell me there are no more replacement batteries available as spare parts. The only suggestion was to try an Apple Authorised Service Centre in case they still have a battery in stock

I was pretty annoyed as when I booked the Genius Bar appointment for my MBP I was not warned that Apple no longer hold stock of spare parts. It's over seven years since this particular MBP model was sold so it's in Apple's classification 'obsolete' but they specifically state they discontinue all hardware service for obsolete products except for Mac laptops that are eligible for an additional battery-only repair period.

I'm kicking myself as I could have taken it in 12 months ago when I first noticed that the battery was 'Service Recommended' but it's my spare laptop so I hadn't bothered. Now my wife wants to use it I need the battery replaced as it barely lasts 15 minutes.

The guy at the Genius Bar was the same one that I saw 3 months ago who refused me a £199 replacement battery for my 2015 15" MBP as the diagnostics didn't show it as sufficiently deteriorated. This despite the fact that battery life is only one third of what it used to be. I'm now concerned that when the battery is sufficiently deteriorated so as to be eligible for replacement that again I will be knocked back because they have no parts. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...tery-replacement-price.2355940/?post=31372313

Have you considered something like this?

A1494 Battery for MacBook Pro 15" Retina A1398 Late 2013-2014

If your MacBook Pro Retina 15" battery is worn out, you’ll need to replace it. Our kit includes everything you need to accomplish this repair.

store.ifixit.co.uk

It’s almost ten years old so it may not be worth paying a shop to have it fixed.

 

[nigelbb]

Have you considered something like this?

A1494 Battery for MacBook Pro 15" Retina A1398 Late 2013-2014

If your MacBook Pro Retina 15" battery is worn out, you’ll need to replace it. Our kit includes everything you need to accomplish this repair.

store.ifixit.co.uk

It’s almost ten years old so it may not be worth paying a shop to have it fixed.

It would be worth paying Apple to do the job as for £199 they replace the whole top case, keyboard & trackpad as the battery is glued to it. I plan on calling some Apple Authorised Service Centres tomorrow although I don't hold out much hope as I would be surprised if they hold any stock & would normally order the part from Apple.

A DIY repair with one of those kits from iFixit will be my last resort.

 

[JPack]

Consider that even if you do purchase a third-party replacement battery, the quality of it will be in question due to slow stock rotation. Batteries start to age the moment they are assembled.

 

[nigelbb]

Consider that even if you do purchase a third-party replacement battery, the quality of it will be in question due to slow stock rotation. Batteries start to age the moment they are assembled.

There are any number of vendors selling batteries on eBay for about £50 that I would be very dubious about but would feel more comfortable with one from iFixit.

 

[Fishrrman]

Apple will replace the batteries in older MBP's, but ONLY IF they still have the replacement batteries available on-hand to do so. Makes sense.

If you don't want to do it yourself, you might look for a 3rd-party repair shop that works on Macs, to see if they can do it, and what the charge would be.

Re ifixit batteries -- some have had ok experiences with them, others not so much.
Outside of genuine Apple-labeled batteries, 3rd-party batteries are pretty much a crapshoot.
You might get "a good one", or...?

 

[JPack]

There are any number of vendors selling batteries on eBay for about £50 that I would be very dubious about but would feel more comfortable with one from iFixit.

iFixit has a nicer package, but at the end of the day, they source from similar suppliers because hardly anybody makes them anymore.

If you look at reviews, the iFixit battery works well initially, then after a few months it becomes unreliable again. I would weigh that against the effort and cost to replace the battery.

 

[nigelbb]

I had a battery that I ordered from iFixit a few months ago & found a guy to install it in my MBP 11.3 late 2013. The battery is made by Simplo the same as the original Apple one. He also sourced another battery to install in my 11,3 mid 2014 MBP. He charged me £225 which seemed a fair price. I wasn't going to replace the battery on the MBP 11,3 at Apple prices so I could afford to get both MBPs fixed. The batteries both claim around 8700mAh just like an original Apple battery. I need to condition & calibrate before I can make any real comment on their capacity.