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Macbook Pro battery - Apple won't replace
- Thread starter Jethryn Freyman
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I'm having a slightly similar problem. I'm not under AppleCare, however when I was under the default 1-year warranty I did have my Battery replaced due to overheating issues. I believe it's been a little over a year since receiving the replacement battery and since ~3 weeks ago my battery's life has dramatically decreased.
I've called Apple before and told them I thought it was defective since it's under 300 cycles, yet they turned me away since 1) I don't fall under the serial number for defective MBP batteries [the 1 year, 300 cycles, bulging battery thing]. 2) I'm under AppleCare (doesn't matter anyways) 3) It's been over a year since I've had the battery.
Is it worth calling again and trying? They probably already have my information in the database from my previous call.
What is the normal life-span for batteries? I haven't done anything irregular in terms of battery life in the past couple of weeks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I've called Apple before and told them I thought it was defective since it's under 300 cycles, yet they turned me away since 1) I don't fall under the serial number for defective MBP batteries [the 1 year, 300 cycles, bulging battery thing]. 2) I'm under AppleCare (doesn't matter anyways) 3) It's been over a year since I've had the battery.
Is it worth calling again and trying? They probably already have my information in the database from my previous call.
What is the normal life-span for batteries? I haven't done anything irregular in terms of battery life in the past couple of weeks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm having a slightly similar problem. I'm not under AppleCare, however when I was under the default 1-year warranty I did have my Battery replaced due to overheating issues. I believe it's been a little over a year since receiving the replacement battery and since ~3 weeks ago my battery's life has dramatically decreased.
I've called Apple before and told them I thought it was defective since it's under 300 cycles, yet they turned me away since 1) I don't fall under the serial number for defective MBP batteries [the 1 year, 300 cycles, bulging battery thing]. 2) I'm under AppleCare (doesn't matter anyways) 3) It's been over a year since I've had the battery.
Is it worth calling again and trying? They probably already have my information in the database from my previous call.
What is the normal life-span for batteries? I haven't done anything irregular in terms of battery life in the past couple of weeks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I recently had my battery replaced...I have AppleCare and I was outside of the 1 year standard warranty. Magically, in 1 week, my battery health went from 98% to 22%. I couldnt get it to come back up. Called them up and they replaced it right away. I think it honestly depends on who you talk to. It took 5 minutes on hold for them to make a decision. My battery was clearly defective.
What MBP do you have? How old is it? You should be able to get a new one if it is relatively new.
Just for everyone posting coconut battery stats... you do know that Apple ignores anything other than what System Profiler says, right?
2nd mac 1st I use, and this time thy didn't get me,
instead of apple care, i made a cheap insurance (without theft) and when the time came they shipped me a new bat and a\c plug.
instead of apple care, i made a cheap insurance (without theft) and when the time came they shipped me a new bat and a\c plug.
So the same bugs that show up in Coconut actually originate from System profiler? interesting.
So I called - I'm out of warranty and the only thing they can do is offer me a part-in replacement that's $30 cheaper yet has shipping and handling and only a 90-day warranty (vs the 1-year warranty with a retail price). I think that this point I'd put all my eggs in the warranty basket.
I agree. My battery health was about 50% around the 1.5 yr mark. I made a genius appointment, and luckily got a "nice" guy. He looked at my iStat and system profiler. He then unwrapped a new battery, took my old one and I walked out with a brand new battery in my laptop. Took 10 min max. Never hurts to ask for a new one.
CoconutBattery estimates the age of the Mac based on your product's serial number.
The only bug is if it can't work it out and gives a crazy estimate of the product age.
There's no bug related to the actual battery reading.
I went to the Apple Store, showed them the battery status in System Profiler, and I've got a new battery. 
There was a battery recall issued last year: http://www.apple.com/support/macbook_macbookpro/batteryupdate/
Our MB was purchased just outside of the given timeframe in June 2007 but they replaced it anyway. We showed the Genius Bar guy Coconut Battery which showed 19% capacity and 135 charge cycles. He plugged in his ipod nano which had a Battery Test program on it and sure enough the test showed the battery was bad. He ran the serial to check everything was right and we signed some paperwork and walked out with a new battery in less than 10 minutes.
If they try to deny you a replacement just refer them to the above link
Our MB was purchased just outside of the given timeframe in June 2007 but they replaced it anyway. We showed the Genius Bar guy Coconut Battery which showed 19% capacity and 135 charge cycles. He plugged in his ipod nano which had a Battery Test program on it and sure enough the test showed the battery was bad. He ran the serial to check everything was right and we signed some paperwork and walked out with a new battery in less than 10 minutes.
If they try to deny you a replacement just refer them to the above link
Apple will definitely help people out in these cases, although it's not guaranteed, because the battery doesn't receive the same warranty coverage as the rest of the computer.
A friend of mine operates his MBP often with the battery removed (he stores it at 50% charge, as recommended), and recently realized his battery health had dropped to about 15%. He purchased his Macbook Pro in fall 2007, and he has Applecare.
He called Apple, they had him send his system profiler information in, and promptly shipped a replacement battery.
I'd say you're likely to get a new battery if you meet many or most of the following criteria.
1. The battery is under 300 cycles and has SIGNIFICANTLY reduced battery health (don't think you're going to get a replacement 3 years in with 79% health...it might happen, but it's much less likely).
2. You have Applecare.
3. You are polite, and demonstrate a basic understanding of battery care. Explain you calibrate the battery, store it partially discharged when not in use, and haven't left it in a hot car, etc.
A friend of mine operates his MBP often with the battery removed (he stores it at 50% charge, as recommended), and recently realized his battery health had dropped to about 15%. He purchased his Macbook Pro in fall 2007, and he has Applecare.
He called Apple, they had him send his system profiler information in, and promptly shipped a replacement battery.
I'd say you're likely to get a new battery if you meet many or most of the following criteria.
1. The battery is under 300 cycles and has SIGNIFICANTLY reduced battery health (don't think you're going to get a replacement 3 years in with 79% health...it might happen, but it's much less likely).
2. You have Applecare.
3. You are polite, and demonstrate a basic understanding of battery care. Explain you calibrate the battery, store it partially discharged when not in use, and haven't left it in a hot car, etc.
So many variables - my original battery is going on 33 months old, 150 cycles, and 50% capacity left. It remains on the charger much of the time. I just bought a new battery - it is a consumable - no real complaints.