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MacBook Pro 17" Battery Replacement $179 and Other Notes

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Apple's only hardware announcement yesterday was the 17" MacBook Pro revision which brings the laptop in-line with the rest of the unibody laptops introduced in November. The new notebook brings a few welcome changes to the high-end Apple notebook, including a maximum of 8GB of RAM.

The non-replaceable battery, however, has generated some complaints but Apple's promises that their technology should allow the battery to last 5 years before it needs replacing. When that time comes, Gizmodo was told that the battery replacement will cost $179.

While the elimination of the battery component (photo) extends battery life to a 8 hours, it also introduces some accessibility issues to items such as RAM and Hard Drives. On other unibody MacBooks and MacBook Pros, these are easily accessible through the battery compartment.

Apple has posted a video explaining the technology and reasoning behind the non-removable battery.


Article Link: MacBook Pro 17" Battery Replacement $179 and Other Notes
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/07/macbook-pro-17-battery-replacement-179-and-other-notes/
Seems like a pretty standard battery price, but you're getting more than just that. Still, I can't see this making everyone happy...and I don't really blame them.

Can someone explain the RAM accessibility issues?
 
MacRumors said:

The non-replaceable battery, however, has generated some complaints but Apple's promises is that their battery technology should allow it to last 5 years before it needs replacing.
Click to expand...


Yes, it may "last" 5 years but by that time only hold a 20 min charge before you need to plug it in. Eeks this is a fickle issue.
 
Apple says a lot. But they need to learn that it depends on the user it self, how much they use the thing
 
So is there any confirmation on exactly how you are able to access the RAM and hard drive disks without going through a battery compartment?
 
Apple has made promises about batteries before. When it comes to a music player or even the Air the non-replaceable battery only makes sense in devices starved for space, which the 17" is not.

I would much rather have an extra battery or two when out on the road, I would not want to rely on Apple's distorted views of an 8 hour battery life.
 
MacRumors said:
While the elimination of the battery component (photo) extends battery life to a 8 hours, it also introduces some accessibility issues to items such as RAM and Hard Drives. On other unibody MacBooks and MacBook Pros, these are easily accessible through the battery compartment.
Click to expand...

For the hard drive yes, but to access RAM on the unibody MBP you have to remove 8 screws and remove the bottom cover.
 
synth3tik said:
Apple has made promises about batteries before. When it comes to a music player or even the Air the non-replaceable battery only makes sense in devices starved for space, which the 17" is not.

I would much rather have an extra battery or two when out on the road, I would not want to rely on Apple's distorted views of an 8 hour battery life.
Click to expand...


Thats kind of bull, I've seen the inside of a 1st gen touch and the 5th gen classic and theres space for a removable battery, but steve doesnt want that. You saw him at the 2ed gen touch keynote. He wasnt happy that he had to add the buttons for the volume. He said "we think, this will...... make a lot of people happy... "
 
even though 5 years means 3 to everyone not caught on an infinite loop, $179 is really not that bad.

I wonder how AppleCare figures into this? Is there an minimum health that the battery must be at for it to be covered up to three years?
 
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Don't complain. If this is not for you, then don't buy it. I am curious about the RAM being user replacable.
 
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andrewxps said:
So is there any confirmation on exactly how you are able to access the RAM and hard drive disks without going through a battery compartment?
Click to expand...

The titanium powerbook allowed access to the RAM through unlocking and lifting the keyboard up. Maybe they will bring this back. I would really hate to find out that you have to remove 25 scews to get to upgrade the RAM.
 
.Chris said:
Thats kind of bull, I've seen the inside of a 1st gen touch and the 5th gen classic and theres space for a removable battery, but steve doesnt want that. You saw him at the 2ed gen touch keynote. He wasnt happy that he had to add the buttons for the volume. He said "we think, this will...... make a lot of people happy... "
Click to expand...


If your able to install a removable battery in a classic or touch, I will be rather impressed.
 
starflyer said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

Don't complain. If this is not for you, then don't buy it. I am curious about the RAM being user replacable.
Click to expand...

Why do people always say that? 🙄
 
synth3tik said:
Apple has made promises about batteries before. When it comes to a music player or even the Air [emphasis mine]... I would not want to rely on Apple's distorted views of an 8 hour battery life.
Click to expand...

Given that very reasonable example, is there any study that compares Apple's claims of the Air (i.e. if the battery life dwindles as time goes on) vs. what the real world shows? I know they exist for the Macbook & Macbook pro but I'm wondering if there's precedent for an existing non-removable battery.
 
Surely the 17" inch MBP is to be used by professional power users who generally sit at a desk. Am I missing the point on having a long lasting battery?😕

Just my 2p😀
 
So why did they remove the easy-access door on the bottom? They seemed to be really touting that on the MacBooks and 15" MacBook Pros....
 
.Chris said:
Thats kind of bull, I've seen the inside of a 1st gen touch and the 5th gen classic and theres space for a removable battery, but steve doesnt want that. You saw him at the 2ed gen touch keynote. He wasnt happy that he had to add the buttons for the volume. He said "we think, this will...... make a lot of people happy... "
Click to expand...

Isn't that what he was saying in his post? 🙂

User accessible hard disks, ram slots, and a removable battery have been sacrificed for a seamless base on the laptop - they should have been working on the black strip below the hinges if they want a sleek looking machine for photos.
 
FJ218700 said:
even though 5 years means 3 to everyone not caught on an infinite loop, $179 is really not that bad.

I wonder how AppleCare figures into this? Is there an minimum health that the battery must be at for it to be covered up to three years?
Click to expand...

It is not a matter of cost (although it is BS for a battery when aftermarket Lithium Polymer batteries are 1/2 that with a more realistic rating) but the issues of recall and down-time when the battery eventually fails. This bites.

D
 
Same crummy keyboard

There is so much room on this machine and they choose to give it the the same crowded and reduced keyboard layout as the 13' Macbooks. 😡

This is cheap!
 
stridemat said:
Surely the 17" inch MBP is to be used by professional power users who generally sit at a desk. Am I missing the point on having a long lasting battery?😕

Just my 2p😀
Click to expand...

Why does everyone seem to think that professionals never leave their desk? They like to meet with customers at their places, or in cafes with customers, or work during the commute in the train, or whenever. Professionals can't be tied to a desk.
 
kornyboy said:
The titanium powerbook allowed access to the RAM through unlocking and lifting the keyboard up. Maybe they will bring this back. I would really hate to find out that you have to remove 25 scews to get to upgrade the RAM.
Click to expand...

If it works the same way as the 15", as someone said a few posts up, you have to take the bottom off. Well there are 10 screws right there just for the cover - I wonder how much more you have to go through to get to the RAM...the $1200 Apple RAM upgrade just isn't enticing enough for me 😉
 
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