$99 version upgrade, cool......even though I won't buy one
No, it won't be a version upgrade. It will always be the same model. (Doesn't anyone read anything in the thread before posting?)
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Apple's iPad Battery Replacement Program Forgoes New Battery, Replaces iPad
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No, it won't be a version upgrade. It will always be the same model. (Doesn't anyone read anything in the thread before posting?)
Interesting. Spudgers begone!
This would be OK with me as long as the old one doesnt have to be sent in first... because that I dont have 100% trust in the backup/restore process. Id want to SEE the restore work before I sent my old pad back.
I doubt the majority of people will ever want a new battery anyway, but its hard to sayit a new class of device.
Personally, Ive never needed a new battery on any device in my life except for one camera. But I get the feeling people may hang onto iPads for a loooong time. Many of its buyers will be people with little compulsion to replace it and chase the latest-greatest specs. If it still surfs, and plays the games theyre used to, then whats good today may be good in six years! If so, they may run out of battery.
Or maybe 10 hours is enough cushion for those people. If it drops to 3, will most of them notice? Maybe just the heavy video users.
Serious gamers will notice too (OpenGL sucks power) but theyll also be likely to upgrade anyway. Im in that camp: Im sure Ill want the latest model every 2 or 3 years, and judging by my MacBook Air, batteries these days can easily survive that long. (Actually, my MBA doesnt even have the new polymer battery like Apples current products.)
This would be OK with me as long as the old one doesnt have to be sent in first... because that I dont have 100% trust in the backup/restore process. Id want to SEE the restore work before I sent my old pad back.
I doubt the majority of people will ever want a new battery anyway, but its hard to sayit a new class of device.
Personally, Ive never needed a new battery on any device in my life except for one camera. But I get the feeling people may hang onto iPads for a loooong time. Many of its buyers will be people with little compulsion to replace it and chase the latest-greatest specs. If it still surfs, and plays the games theyre used to, then whats good today may be good in six years! If so, they may run out of battery.
Or maybe 10 hours is enough cushion for those people. If it drops to 3, will most of them notice? Maybe just the heavy video users.
Serious gamers will notice too (OpenGL sucks power) but theyll also be likely to upgrade anyway. Im in that camp: Im sure Ill want the latest model every 2 or 3 years, and judging by my MacBook Air, batteries these days can easily survive that long. (Actually, my MBA doesnt even have the new polymer battery like Apples current products.)
Makes sense to me. They just recycle the aluminum unibody enclosure, so they cut back tremendously on waste and have a steady supply of materials. It would still be nice to see these manufactured here...
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User damage makes it inelegable for battery replacement?
So if I've got a small dent at the corner of the ipad I've been using for two years daily they would refuse my battery replacement? Personally, I'd sue Apple in small claims court if they refused a battery replacement on an otherwise perfectly functional unit.
User damage makes it inelegable for battery replacement?
So if I've got a small dent at the corner of the ipad I've been using for two years daily they would refuse my battery replacement? Personally, I'd sue Apple in small claims court if they refused a battery replacement on an otherwise perfectly functional unit.
Damn I don't know how it's worth it for them, but this sounds interesting! Replacing the entire device... This means you could virtually be using an iPad for your entire life, since you would get a new one every two years or so, and it will always be shiny and new! Apple is crazy, but if it's to our advantage, I don't mind. I wonder when they're going to do this with notebooks!
Oh wait I think I get it: they take the iPads people send in apart, and then make new iPads out of them, i.e. they recycle the parts, and that's what you get back... So basically you're getting an iPad back that has a blend of components from various people's battery-dead iPads... Very weird way to replace a battery indeed!
I don't know how it's worth it for them, but this sounds interesting! Replacing the entire device... This means you could virtually be using an iPad for your entire life, since you would get a new one every two years or so, and it will always be shiny and new! Apple is crazy, but if it's to our advantage, I don't mind. I wonder when they're going to do this with notebooks!Oh wait I think I get it: they take the iPads people send in apart, and then make new iPads out of them, i.e. they recycle the parts, and that's what you get back... So basically you're getting an iPad back that has a blend of components from various people's battery-dead iPads... Very weird way to replace a battery indeed!
The old one DOES have to be sent in first, as it indicates in the linked FAQ.
And you don't have faith in your ability to click "Sync" in iTunes? Because that's literally all you have to do to ensure all of your data is backed up.
If you want to "see" the process work, just sync your device, click "Restore" in iTunes (which will completely erase the device and reinstall the latest firmware), and watch it completely recover from your latest backup. This is a well-known and well-understood process.
This is the part I have a problem with. Exactly what "damage" would result in ineligibility for the program? What if a small chip in the corner of the screen, for example, is considered "damage" by Apple? Then if the the battery stops working I'm SOL? Who are they to decide who gets the "privilege" of paying $100 to replace the battery just because they can't figure out a way to engineer the device to have a user-serviceable battery?
The fact that people here consider paying $100 to replace a battery "normal" is itself pretty ridiculous
Apple has a long history of saying, "We are sorry, we don't have any of your old version left. Unfortunately, we had to send you a new one. We are sorry for any inconvenience the additional memory longer battery life and faster clock may cause."
Calm down.
iPods and iPhones that look like they've been in a pocket with rocks and sandpaper (as long as they're physically intact and working) are routinely accepted for service.
The idea here isn't to let people get new iPads for $99 when they drop them down the stairs.
ok. thanks for the answers. i guess i can also jb and if the battery dies i can still just restore
Yes, this can happen if no service replacements are available for the old version. However, the policy is to replace with the identical version. Worst case, it will be a newer model. While Apple sometimes does replace with a newer model, it's a very small percentage of overall replacements.
(And before someone asks, "how can you know this about a device that hasn't even shipped yet," it's because the iPod and iPhone battery replacement and service process was nearly identical.)
One thing that does bother me a bit, it looks like they can not replace the battery at the Apple Store. I guess they are really packing the stuff into the case.
Damn
1) What if you send in a scuffed up iPad expecting to get a new one for $99, but they refuse the service because it's "damaged"? Now you're double screwed: no new iPad, plus once the battery in your current iPad dies, you're SOL.
2) Even if that's not the case, they'll just keep replacing your iPad with the same model iPad. 4+ years from now are you ACTUALLY going to be interested in paying $99 for a refurbished iPad that's older than the first iPhone is now?
while this maybe true it doesnt often happen. my cousin got a new 2g iphone when the 3gs was out.
Wrong. Sometimes the service replacements are BRAND NEW units. They still come in a service replacement box and are not considered "new", but they aren't always refurbs. (And to repeat for others, even refurbished units have a completely brand new enclosure and are visually indistinguishable in every way from brand new units.)
but what if the battery shorts out? I have that occur on several computer devices and the shorted battery prevented the device from starting. Removing the battery fixed that of course but you are talking non removeable batteries here.
also they imply that if you hacked or jailbroke the device and they found out then the exchange program is voided.
also they imply that if you hacked or jailbroke the device and they found out then the exchange program is voided.
Why does it take a week to get the replacement? It's not like they have to do any work on yours... they could just give you a swap when you visit the store.
Several MacRumors readers have noticed that Apple has posted information on its iPad Battery Replacement Service, which allows users to receive a replacement should their device's battery no longer hold a charge. The service will cost $99 plus an additional $6.95 shipping and applicable taxes.
"iPad Battery Replacement Service" is a bit of a misnomer, however, as instead of swapping a new battery into a customer's existing iPad, Apple will simply send the customer a replacement iPad.The device exchange is estimated by Apple to require approximately one week to complete and may be arranged through Apple's retail stores, Apple technical support, or Apple Authorized Service Providers.
Devices that have been damaged or had unauthorized service or modifications performed on them will not be eligible for the program.
Article Link: Apple's iPad Battery Replacement Program Forgoes New Battery, Replaces iPad
Apple doesn't say new iPad.
1. How many times have you heard this happening for the tens of millions of iPod and iPhone customers, considering the same policy exists there? Must not be as big of a problem as you imagine then, eh?
2. Even IF an iPad is deemed "damaged", Apple still has (higher) service fees that still allow such devices to be "fixed" (i.e., replaced).
Uh, so what? Even if the iPad had a magical fuel cell that never needed to be replaced, the argument that eventually one might want a newer model is still equally valid.