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I just posted an update to my original post. Here is a copy.

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October 2015 update
My MacBook finally gave up the ghost and no longer boots up. This happened about a month ago. I think it is a hard drive issue (I get a flashing folder with a "?" mark graphic when booting). Everything important on it was backed up but I will put the drive in an enclosure to see if I can recover anything.

Let's see. In May 2011 it was 56 months old. +7 months to bring it to 2012, +36 months (2012, 13, 14), +9 months in 2015 = 108 months = 9 years exactly! No complaints here. It was a long and useful life. I'm retired now and my needs have changed. I use my iPhone and iPad for everything mobile and my iMac and mini Mac connected to my TV for everything else. I may not replace the laptop after all!

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p.s. Thunderboltedge, consider that in 2011 Coconut Battery was about the only tool we had to estimate battery life.
 
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