Apple wants $1250 to change the battery on a MacBook Pro

[tubeexperience]

Maybe a third-party repair shop would be willing to replace just the battery for a reasonable fee (as others have suggested). I'd personally try to go that route.

Interesting about the liquid indicators inside the Mac...never knew about that. Learn something new every day...

I have replaced the battery on the Retina before: it's a pain.

I will tell her to go check out local repair shops.

If that's too expensive, I'll have her sent it to me and I'll do it myself.

 

[Howard2k]

Serious question - Does that have liquid damage too? Is it maybe worth not spilling stuff on your expensive electronic equipment?

 

[tubeexperience]

Serious question - Does that have liquid damage too? Is it maybe worth not spilling stuff on your expensive electronic equipment?

I bought it after somebody spilled liquid on it.

 

[Arran]

Apple's telling you they don't want the business. Simple as that.

All businesses do it. Rather than take on something they deem "risky", any business will simply quote an excessive figure and hope the customer goes elsewhere.

 

[T5BRICK]

What are you talking about? The logic board has already been repaired and the laptop has been working for the last 3 years.

It needs a new battery because it's over the battery's maximum cycle count

You may have had the logic board repaired at the component level, but as far as Apple is concerned, it has liquid damage and the charge to repair the laptop is $1250. Either the LCIs are indicating that it has been involved in a spill, or it was taken in for repair previously and Apple has liquid damage associated with the SN.

Like I said, it doesn't seem to be such a good deal anymore.

 

[tubeexperience]

You may have had the logic board repaired at the component level, but as far as Apple is concerned, it has liquid damage and the charge to repair the laptop is $1250. Either the LCIs are indicating that it has been involved in a spill, or it was taken in for repair previously and Apple has liquid damage associated with the SN.

Like I said, it doesn't seem to be such a good deal anymore.

...and? If it works, then it works!

My sister doesn't need an approval from Apple to be able to use her own computer.

 

[iMacDragon]

...and? If it works, then it works!

My sister doesn't need an approval from Apple to be able to use her own computer.

Unfortunately that is how their system is geared up. If the battery wasn't a semi integral part and was 'user replacable' it wouldn't be an issue, but as they have to take apart the computer and put it back together again, they essentially have to warrantee that all the bits they touched remain working after they've done the replacement. And a tripped liquid intrusion sensor means they won't do that, as they consider it a likely point of failure, successful third party repair or no.

 

[T5BRICK]

...and? If it works, then it works!

This is true. But we're not talking about the fact that "it works." We're talking about the fact that "you can't have it serviced by Apple without dealing with the consequences of liquid damage."

My sister doesn't need an approval from Apple to be able to use her own computer.

This is also true. She can continue using the computer, as is, or take it to a 3rd party for repair.

But you seem to have an issue comprehending that Apple doesn't want to take on the liability of performing a repair on a computer with liquid damage without replacing all parts that are at risk. You bought a liquid damaged computer because it was a "good deal" but it turned out to be a hassle when you needed service. That isn't Apples fault, it's your own.

 

[Ethosik]

It is probably more simple than this. Apple probably recognizes that it is a logic board that they did not install (the third party did). So they need to install their own to cover themselves. Not a big issue if you ask me.

 

[tubeexperience]

It is probably more simple than this. Apple probably recognizes that it is a logic board that they did not install (the third party did). So they need to install their own to cover themselves. Not a big issue if you ask me.

It's the original logic board.

 

[aces99]

It's the original logic board.

I would bring it to a local repair shop and see what they would charge to replace just the battery and go from there. If it is still the same price as Apple then I would just buy a new one. That is a lot of money to repair a old laptop.

 

[nStyle]

Two pages in...very little facts...mostly conjectures...why is this two pages again!?

One thing is for sure:

Apple does not charge $1,250 to replace a battery.

 

[maflynn]

It's the original logic board.

Op, so did you ask Appel why? Perhaps I missed it in the thread, but as mentioned by @nStyle, we are all guessing. You have the ability to get the answers - just call apple.

They're very up front about the breakdown of charges on a given repair.

 

[tubeexperience]

Op, so did you ask Appel why? Perhaps I missed it in the thread, but as mentioned by @nStyle, we are all guessing. You have the ability to get the answers - just call apple.

They're very up front about the breakdown of charges on a given repair.

My sister isn't tech-savvy so she added me to the line after calling Apple.

Apple didn't mention anything about liquid damage, but said that it found undocumented repairs done to the logic board and that the logic board needs to be replaced with an Apple authorized part.

 

[DeltaMac]

I don't want to quote all the replies, but the laptop works fine including when running on battey.

It's telling her to replace the battery because the laptop exceeded the battery's maximum cycle count.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201585

So, stop where you are, and let your daughter continue to just use the laptop.
The laptop won't suddenly stop working just because there is a system message about exceeding the maximum cycle count.
If the battery is, in fact, charging and working fine, you can choose to ignore the message and just use the laptop.
You don't have to do anything, until the battery no longer provides acceptable battery life (or something physical happens, like a swelling battery)

 

[maflynn]

Apple didn't mention anything about liquid damage, but said that it found undocumented repairs done to the logic board and that the logic board needs to be replaced with an Apple authorized part.

So basically then its not 1,250 for a battery replacement because they're going to replace the logic board given the undocumented logic board repairs, which is what we all were saying in the first place.

 

[tubeexperience]

So basically then its not 1,250 for a battery replacement because they're going to replace the logic board given the undocumented logic board repairs, which is what we all were saying in the first place.

Honestly, it's ridiculous how much Apple charges for a refurbished (AKA previously repaired) logic board ($1050) when an independent shop can repair the old logic board for one-sixth as much.

Anyway, it looks like she found an AASP that's willing to change the battery for her.

So, stop where you are, and let your daughter continue to just use the laptop.
The laptop won't suddenly stop working just because there is a system message about exceeding the maximum cycle count.
If the battery is, in fact, charging and working fine, you can choose to ignore the message and just use the laptop.
You don't have to do anything, until the battery no longer provides acceptable battery life (or something physical happens, like a swelling battery)

Well, I thought about that, but at some point the battery isn't going hold much charge anymore, so it might be better to address the issue now.

 

[T5BRICK]

Honestly, it's ridiculous how much Apple charges for a refurbished (AKA previously repaired) logic board ($1050) when an independent shop can repair the old logic board for one-sixth as much.

That's great that you found an independent shop that will repair the logic board for such a good price, but you do realize that is part of the reason why you're in this situation, right? You caused yourself grief by working around Apples rules.

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

Honestly, it's ridiculous how much Apple charges for a refurbished (AKA previously repaired) logic board ($1050) when an independent shop can repair the old logic board for one-sixth as much.

Anyway, it looks like she found an AASP that's willing to change the battery for her.



Well, I thought about that, but at some point the battery isn't going hold much charge anymore, so it might be better to address the issue now.

For future clarification (for those that read in the future), Apple Refurbished devices from Apple is not the same as a refurbished Apple device bought from a third party store (independent repair shop, Best Buy, and among other). Apple refurbished guarantees working condition and all parts certified with warranty but purchase outside of their domain means one is subjected to the condition of the store bought from.

 

[Ethosik]

And that was exactly what I said in my previous post. It was worked on by a third party, so Apple needs to cover themselves legally by replacing the entire logic board.

This isn't an issue. Everybody wants to sue these days, so Apple (just like any other company) will have these kinds of rules.

Could I get a Dell desktop repaired if I put in a GTX 980 and my own RAM without having to pay for their own video card and RAM?

 

[dallegre]

Could I get a Dell desktop repaired if I put in a GTX 980 and my own RAM without having to pay for their own video card and RAM?

Yes, they just won't repair the parts that you replaced/upgraded.

 

[Ethosik]

Yes, they just won't repair the parts that you replaced/upgraded.

I seriously doubt that. That is just asking for a lawsuit.

 

[tubeexperience]

I seriously doubt that. That is just asking for a lawsuit.

That's how the rest of the world (except for maybe Apple) works.

 

[Ethosik]

That's how the rest of the world (except for maybe Apple) works.

No it is not. If they need to touch my personal property (the GTX 980 and RAM is not under their warranty, it is mine), and it breaks, that is a serious issue. I seriously doubt everybody else would fix a computer under warranty when it has custom components not part of their warranty. There are thousands of things wrong with that scenario once you allow companies to work with personal equipment.

 

[dallegre]

No it is not. If they need to touch my personal property (the GTX 980 and RAM is not under their warranty, it is mine), and it breaks, that is a serious issue. I seriously doubt everybody else would fix a computer under warranty when it has custom components not part of their warranty. There are thousands of things wrong with that scenario once you allow companies to work with personal equipment.

I'm not sure why you find this so hard to believe or why they would need to touch your property in a scenario where they are replacing or repairing a part other than your property. Apple itself has certain user replaceable components in certain products, but there are limitations. Other companies are less stringent with those limitations.

Either way, Apple is completely justified in taking the stance they have taken with regards to warranty repair and with regards to this specific situation. I'm not so sure a Dell tech would repair a battery in a PC that showed signs of water damage.