So?
How long would it run on battery even if you could replace the cells with modern Lithium ones? How bulky are these portable computers.
You can still buy new Laptops with removable batteries, none of them will last long and they are a thicc boys.
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iFixit Says Apple's DIY Repair Program Makes MacBooks 'Seem Less Repairable'
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So?
How long would it run on battery even if you could replace the cells with modern Lithium ones? How bulky are these portable computers.
You can still buy new Laptops with removable batteries, none of them will last long and they are a thicc boys.
No, I want easily accessible parts and schematics. Apple still has several basic parts marked as contraband and unsellable to repair shops, the same tactic John Deere uses for their tractors to discourage repair of those too.
Maybe *gasp* use pull tabs instead of glue. Amazing how much people defend Apple. They have to own Apple stock. Something that translates to a dime vs a nickel is the best decision ever how brave.
MST support on MacBook Air? Apple doesn’t add it to the air the engineers must have a reason! Really because the Walmart clearance chromebook has MST. But it can’t drive 2 6K monitors it only has the power to drive one! I want to drive two 2K monitors. Apple doesn’t sell 2K monitors are you using unauthorized accessories like a poor person?
Just tired of the defense. Apple is anti consumer. It’s just fact. They paywall hardware because they can’t differentiate otherwise. They make repairability a nightmare to make more sales. Just admit it and accept it.
When you purchase an Apple device you accept that it will work as long as Apple wants it to.
I imagine that the $527 and time might well be worth it for someone who, in addition to a bad battery, has several out-of-warranty/self-inflicted issues going with their top case...case dents/damage/scratches, blown/waterlogged speakers, broken keys, scratched/disfunctional trackpad. This person could simply order a new DYI battery for $527 and get all/any of those other issues resolved for "free."
Exactly and this is the reason why I still don't own a Macbook of any kind. I have several HP laptops where I can replace the battery in under 5 minutes just by removing the bottom lid and removing the screws holding the battery in place. This stuff unfortunately is done on purpose to discourage DIY repairs. But to your point I agree that DIY repairs is not a niche market.
Company that sells tools, parts and monetizes their content for repair complains that company producting said products is providing the manual for repair. After reading said manual come to realize that some Macrumor commenters will believe any negative thing about Apple. The manual is very well done and provides sections for each part, every page is basically one or two steps that outline ever action you need to take.
iFixit has 12 manuals for their 14" MacBook Pro repair here that consists any where from ~20 to 60 steps here https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_14"_2021
And Apple is here
iFixit has 12 manuals for their 14" MacBook Pro repair here that consists any where from ~20 to 60 steps here https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_14"_2021
And Apple is here
...."easily replaced"? Define "easily".Two minutes? Ten minutes? An hour? A day? No tools, some tools, Apple's entire kit?
A phone battery....15 seconds as in the past. Some will say that if the back of the phone can come off easily then there will not be a great IP water resistant rating. Who cares. I have never put my phone in water and have no need for a high IP rating. YMMV.
The reason the battery is not a easily removable battery making an easy swap means increasing the failure envelope. Apple’s phones where lasting two and 3 years beyond phones with a removable battery soon all of the competitors who were using the battery as a talking point switched. To do what fixit wants means they will have more business from failing phones. No matter what you do, a battery that’s not glued and seriously screwed down will eventually move. Once it does wires, contacts, and other components become compromised and can cause a Number of failures.
I had multiple Treo smartphones of the course of a few years. The dies for various reasons, but each was commended to the battery moving about as it was used more and more.
You may have a point. Just more incentive to improve the situation to avoid those problems but Apple has no incentive.
Every post I see of yours proves you do not understand the issue. Apple is letting you not instructing you to do it. It is your choice.Imagine if Telsa sends you a DIY Repair kit and instructs you to change the lithium battery of your car.
While I disagree with most negative opinions about Apple's self-service repair store (e.g. the never ending repair tool rental story) I have to say that iFixit do have a valid point here.
I would totally understand Apple not selling separate batteries for the old design Macs (M1 MacBook Air, M1 13" MacBook Pro, M2 13" MacBook Pro") since on these machines it is quite hard to remove the cells from the top-case and indeed can be quite dangerous especially in the hands of someone not knowing what they are dealing with.
But what I totally don't get is why Apple does not offer batteries separate from the top-case for Macs with the new design. Those use pull-tabs underneath the battery, so removing the cells is quite easy now. It really does not make any sense and hopefully will be changed in the future.
It's quite ridiculous having to pay nearly as much for a new battery as you would for a replacement logic board (including the return credit). That is especially true as long as Apple does offer in-store swaps for significantly less, even though they are using the exact same part. It's just strange.
I would totally understand Apple not selling separate batteries for the old design Macs (M1 MacBook Air, M1 13" MacBook Pro, M2 13" MacBook Pro") since on these machines it is quite hard to remove the cells from the top-case and indeed can be quite dangerous especially in the hands of someone not knowing what they are dealing with.
But what I totally don't get is why Apple does not offer batteries separate from the top-case for Macs with the new design. Those use pull-tabs underneath the battery, so removing the cells is quite easy now. It really does not make any sense and hopefully will be changed in the future.
It's quite ridiculous having to pay nearly as much for a new battery as you would for a replacement logic board (including the return credit). That is especially true as long as Apple does offer in-store swaps for significantly less, even though they are using the exact same part. It's just strange.
Yes, but those people have the potential to make my life worse, by insisting on Apple making things more repairable.
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You're of course free to think it's absurd.
I deliberately chose a drastic example, I'll happily admit that. If you'd rather, take my Lenovo laptop: it's as thin as my 2020 MBP and the battery is easily replaceable because it's screwed in, rather than glued in. Apple could do this, too - and I bet they'd find a way around those trade-offs, whatever they may be. They do absolutely have clever designers and engineers. Gluing a battery in place, however, is not necessary. It even makes the replacement process harder for their own people - or creates more waste if they throw away the top cases every time they "replace" a battery.
And of course it's not "to flip a switch" - I'm not suggesting it is, either. I spoke of "designing". But part of a design process is making decisions, choosing certain paths. So yes, they choose to do things a certain way.
If the remote's battery lasted 5 years and it the cost was only 1/3 of the remote itself I would do it.
But it certainly doesn't harm their business.
Even though I'm an engineer and enjoy tinkering and repairing just about everything I can, I enjoy even more having a thinner and lighter laptop over one that is heavier and bulkier/thicker/larger in order to support easy repairability. Every. Single. Day.
I suspect a lot of other people also enjoy lighter weight and less bulky laptop computers.
But...I understand you might feel differently. I'm sure all the other laptop makers out there do things differently prioritizing owner repairability over smaller/lighter laptops. Simply pick one of those.
To be fair that is their entire gimmick here at MacRumors.
Apple users used to be the dreamers! Apple batteries used to be swappable without opening the case. I used to open my MacBook Pros for HD/SSD upgrades, memory upgrades, to clean the fans, upgrade the CPU paste, or upgrade the WiFi. Most of these steps were easy, thanks to the help of iFixIt instructions and tools. Apple made servicing and upgrades difficult or impossible by soldering memory and SSDs and gluing batteries. Don't discount your own interest or ability. If Apple made it possible, you might open up your computer occasionally, too.
I do open my Mac Pros--they're designed for that.
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But you always had that right. Apple has never stopped you legally from trying to repair your devices.
Was the phone design with battery compartment and cover much more user friendly? Not always.
• Device needed to be bulkier
— If not, you’re back to a convoluted/challenging battery cover and battery removable/install process. The only difference would be a lack of adhesive.
• Battery compartment doors could be lost or broken
— Tabs as securing mechanisms are dreadful at best — at least metal is more durable than plastic
— If it did break, there returns the need to interact with the manufacturer for replacement
Difficulty of the procedure aside, I do wholeheartedly agree Apple requiring the replacement of several components at a time (simply due to use of adhesives) is unreasonable. Apple does have tools and processes in place to deal with adhesive use in other products (e.g. iPhone, iPad).
To an extent — perhaps devil’s advocate -- I like the difficult to replace battery aspect. I am guessing it keeps people very susceptible to the placebo/lemming effect (e.g. “My battery is down to 96% health! It needs to be replaced!”) at least somewhat at bay.
For me, it’s two main reasons:
• The result is (typically) better when the work is performed by someone with a lot of experience (and preferably passion)
• The cost often seems less if I delegate the task to an expert.
For example, I’ll normally replace the tire tubes on my bicycle, cleaning and general lubrication, as well as occasionally attempt some necessary adjustments. However, for the remainder, I take it to a local bike shop where they complete a full inspection and fine tuning within minutes. Could I learn and eventually accomplish the same? Sure. But, at least for this subject (i.e. bicycle), the time, frustration, and possibly additional costs of mistakes does not seem worthwhile in comparison.
And now that the ability to repair exists, the whining moves on: it’s not cheap enough/free and it’s too tough/inconvenient.
The basic reality is nothing will make the complainers happy.