Replacing battery in 2015 rMB

[bluewooster]

Like others, my 2015 rMB seemed to have a brisk decline in its maximum capacity. It dropped down to 83% within several months of purchase but has hung at that number since then. I was hoping it would drop further to hit the 80% cutoff at the one year mark to get a free replacement but it was stubborn!

I've never been impressed with the battery life in my computer but it has been worse for the past couple months. I was thinking of paying to get it replaced and had a question for those of you who have done it - does the replacement degrade at just as fast a rate as your previous one or is it more acceptable?

I had read some speculation that the cause of the battery capacity fall was due to the heat of the unit - I don't really feel like spending money on a replacement if it's just going to do the same thing.

(In fairness, I've owned this model since the day it was available in stores and I've gotten a LOT of use out of it)

 

[fisherking]

you're really answering your own question... you can option-click on 'about this mac', look at system information, see what your battery use/amperage is.

or call apple, have them replace it (and ask them your questions)...

 

[gooser]

you're really answering your own question... you can option-click on 'about this mac', look at system information, see what your battery use/amperage is.

or call apple, have them replace it (and ask them your questions)...

i really don't see where this answers his question at all.

 

[fisherking]

i really don't see where this answers his question at all.

"(In fairness, I've owned this model since the day it was available in stores and I've gotten a LOT of use out of it)"

 

[gooser]

maybe so then.
[doublepost=1478050584][/doublepost]but i really thought that the question was does a replacement battery last any longer than an original?

 

[bluewooster]

Thanks for replying fisherking but I wasn't really asking how to check battery usage/health.

The 2015 rMB has a battery that many earlier users (see this forum) noted a surprisingly quick drop in its maximum capacity. I'm asking those users who had their battery replaced whether they experienced a similar drop in the replacement or not.

 

[fisherking]

sure thing, but facts help; knowing the battery's condition, the cycle count, is at least useful information. anyway, good luck with this...

 

[cdf]

The battery in my 2015 rMB has also hovered at the 83% mark for several months. Just recently, it dropped to 78% and has remained there for a while. It has a mere 190 cycles. I plan on getting it replaced soon; however, I am apprehensive about the whole bottom case getting replaced (see https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-2015-battery-replacement.2010147). I would also be interested in knowing how the replacement battery behaves.

On a side note, the 2016 rMB battery is apparently compatible with the 2015 rMB (see https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Retina+MacBook+2016+Teardown/62149). Perhaps Apple replaces 2015 batteries with 2016 ones...

 

[sunapple]

Mine is from 2015 as well, but I bought it in June as open-box ex-demo from an APR. It has 90% battery capacity with some 150 cycles. Not quite that 80% but I found it weird anyway. Not what I'm used to from previous MacBook Pros.

My advice would be to first try to get service from Apple and otherwise invest in a genuine Apple replacement battery. With some luck you get your money back when they announce a recall...

 

[bluewooster]

That is essentially the status of my battery - 82% capacity after 157 cycles. I'm currently debating paying to get a replacement battery or simply buying the new RMB (non touch bar) model - I'm very tempted! But I do love the rMB....

If I do get a replacement battery, I'll report back in a few months on whether it declined as quickly!