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So there has been peeling on my display. To be replaced at no cost supposedly.

$300 for the battery and they'd replace the top case (parts damaged).

I'd lose the laptop for 3-5 days. Except Apple do not have the parts and the screen in particular "global shortage" so only till February 2017. The battery and top case replacement also in-waiting but will be sooner apparently.

Had the swelling occurred within 3 years, they'd have replaced it for free. 3 years and 3 months means I have to pay $300. Not unhappy but it would have been nice if the battery did its thing 3 months ago.

That's depot repair. They just fix everything that needs to be fixed at one rate if you're out of warranty. It takes longer as they typically send it out, but it's much cheaper than paying part by part.
 
Nope. Just the so called "premium resellers" and "authorised service providers". Closest Apple Store is about 600km away.

As long as the device is under warranty (only 1 year, no Apple Care here), it's OK. After that it gets "interesting".
 
Nope. Just the so called "premium resellers" and "authorised service providers". Closest Apple Store is about 600km away.

Ah, I see, so there is no official service network... Unfortunately, Apple computers are more like modern cars — you really need a service network to own one comfortably. I guess you could always try going to Italy or Austria, if you live close enough to the border :) The battery replacement there should be cheaper even at a resellers.
 
Although we are small, Apple does provide us with a dedicated local keyboard, which would be extremely difficult to get if I would seek service in Italy or Austria.

Keeping my fingers crossed that they expand to Slovenia ASAP. Especially now with the new First lady :-D.
 
The "top case" they simply cleaned and as far as I can tell that's all they did with the trackpad and keyboard. They did say it would all be new but a mark caused by the rubber seal from the display (not sure why) left a mark that they simply cleaned but I can see it rather clearly so I'm quite sure it's still my old aluminium casing.

However, all is working well and battery is new for $289 (AUD) and 3 day turn-around time.

I'll have to go after February 2017 for the replacement of the display.

Given what I paid for the laptop but considering the time since I'm satisfied.

Hope this experience is informative for anyone else with a similar issue in future.
 
My worry was this was the Apple store where they had 4 male employees going through some peoples photos.

Are you referring to Carindale? If so did they say they would of replaced battery for free if it was under 3 years old? Curious because I have a refurbished MBP that is 2 years 9 months with the same issue and Carindale is close.
 
Are you referring to Carindale? If so did they say they would of replaced battery for free if it was under 3 years old? Curious because I have a refurbished MBP that is 2 years 9 months with the same issue and Carindale is close.

If you've got Applecare, it will be covered under that, but if you haven't and the warranty has expired, you're out of luck :( still worth a shot though. In 2015 I had a tiny chip in the glass of my refurb rMBP (late-2013, bought at the end of 2014) - chip was literally less than a millimetre wide. I didn't think Apple would replace it under warranty because it was so tiny, and basically a cosmetic thing, but they did!
 
If you've got Applecare, it will be covered under that, but if you haven't and the warranty has expired, you're out of luck :( still worth a shot though. In 2015 I had a tiny chip in the glass of my refurb rMBP (late-2013, bought at the end of 2014) - chip was literally less than a millimetre wide. I didn't think Apple would replace it under warranty because it was so tiny, and basically a cosmetic thing, but they did!

thesimplelogic - are you Australian? I don't have Applecare, and neither did mickeydean. Yet they told him it would of been replaced if within 3 years. I assume this is due to Australian consumer law and not Applecare. Under Australian consumer law companies have to provide a reasonably warranty period which is longer than a standard warranty, particularly on premium items. Just no sure if it is 2 or 3 years, or if specific faults (like a swollen battery) have an even longer warranty period here.
 
thesimplelogic - are you Australian? I don't have Applecare, and neither did mickeydean. Yet they told him it would of been replaced if within 3 years. I assume this is due to Australian consumer law and not Applecare. Under Australian consumer law companies have to provide a reasonably warranty period which is longer than a standard warranty, particularly on premium items. Just no sure if it is 2 or 3 years, or if specific faults (like a swollen battery) have an even longer warranty period here.

I do live in Australia, yes. However this specific laptop didn't have Applecare at that time and was still within the 1 year Limited Warranty, so what might have been covered by consumer law I may be confusing with the warranty! I see what you're saying though - this is what I found on Apple's website for the length of ACL:

"A reasonable period from date of delivery until the failure becomes apparent

Without limiting consumers’ rights, Apple will provide its own remedies equivalent to those remedies in the consumer guarantee provisions of the Australian Consumer Law at any time within 24 months of the date of purchase. For the avoidance of doubt, Apple acknowledges that the Australian Consumer Law may provide for remedies beyond 24 months for a number of its products."

I think it might be a battery thing since it's considered a 'consumable' product.
 
I think it might be a battery thing since it's considered a 'consumable' product.

Given late 2013 batteries are glued in, I don't think they can be considered consumable anymore. I assume part of the consumable definition is the user being able to replace the component themselves, like an ink jet cartridge. Given that I can't replace the battery, I can not safely use this macbook pro after 2 years and 9 months. Pretty sure that is not considered a reasonable period. Anyways will find out soon enough I guess.
 
Are you referring to Carindale? If so did they say they would of replaced battery for free if it was under 3 years old? Curious because I have a refurbished MBP that is 2 years 9 months with the same issue and Carindale is close.
Nah mate. Brisbane CBD store.

Yeah under 3 years. 3 years was the Apple-accepted/defined reasonable lifespan for the macbook pro battery. I don't know what they consider a reasonable lifespan for the rest of the laptop.

$4000 laptop...3 years would not be reasonable for me.
 
It's been a while since the last post, but I've just had a swollen battery issue with a 2013 15" MPB Retina and thought I'd share my experience...

I'd taken in my Apple Watch (series 2) because a little rubber ring (the water seal I assume) had come adrift from the Digital Crown (4 days before the warranty ended !). Between taking it in for repair and collecting it, my 2013 MBP (just over 4 years old and well out of warranty, started to wobble when I put it on a flat surface - swelling battery. I thought I might as well take it in when I went to collect the watch.

Fearfull that I'd be stuck with the cost of Top Casing + Keyboard +Trackpad because of the glued in battery, I thought that it was going to be an expensive visit.

First up, one "Genius" Brought out my watch... she said "they couldn't un-jam the crown (?) so here's a new watch" (!) "with 3 months more warranty" (excellent)

Then another "Genius" came to have a look at my MBP. He ran a few tests... then said that because it was only the battery that was faulty, they would charge only for the battery (£199) but would indeed replace the case, keyboard and trackpad as well, also, they wouldn't charge any labour - So loads of brand new parts on my (over 4 year old MPB for free !!).

I was already feeling quite good, but then he said he'd noticed the Matte Screen layer was de-laminating slightly and that it could do with being replaced. This, he explained, meant that the whole top part of the MBP would have to be replaced (the screen, case, hinge and all, come as one part - £558 !). My previous happy mood was beginning to dissipate...

His next statement was that Apple views this as a manufacturing defect and so we'd like to replace the entire screen assembly for free (over 4 years old, with no AppleCare !!)

So I now have a New Apple Watch and, in a few days, an over 4 year old MPB with new Screen, Keyboard, Trackpad and Whole Body (except for the bottom cover presumably) for less than £200 !

The best aftercare I've experienced.

Particular praise to the "Genius" who helped me with my MBP... the other genius was very pleasant and helpful too.

I hope others have been as fortunate. If not, I'd say "Try the Apple Store, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK" !!

Just in case anyone wonders... No... I have absolutely no affiliation with Apple or any of its employees, just a happy customer - this time :)
 
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If you have AppleCare which has not yet expired, and:

1. The battery is under 300 cycles, and
2. The battery has less than 80% of its original capacity when fully charged ...

Then Apple should replace the battery for you at no cost.

That 300 cycles with 80% capacity statement applies only when the system is under warranty. If it's out of warranty (either past 1 year from purchase date without AC, or AC has expired,) then you will need to pay to have the battery replaced.

For example, my 2012 cMBP still has its original battery. 39 cycles and 96%. If it suddenly dropped down to 75% capacity tomorrow, there's no way I would expect Apple to replace it for free, since I bought it 4 years ago by now.


I actually just got my late macbook pro 2013 a replace for free. Same issue, swollen battery. Just got it back today (Dec 2017). I've got no Apple Care and never "hacked" my mac by myself. :)
 
I actually just got my late macbook pro 2013 a replace for free. Same issue, swollen battery. Just got it back today (Dec 2017). I've got no Apple Care and never "hacked" my mac by myself. :)

... and they were under no obligation to replace it for you for free. It was a goodwill gesture on their part.
 
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Hello,

I just recognized yesterday that my 2013 13“ rMBP started to wobble slightly from front left to right back. I wonder why and if this might be related to the battery.

Does anyone know how to come to the conclusion that this has to do with the battery?
 
Hello,

I just recognized yesterday that my 2013 13“ rMBP started to wobble slightly from front left to right back. I wonder why and if this might be related to the battery.

Does anyone know how to come to the conclusion that this has to do with the battery?

There aren't many other options. If any. Failed battery, replace ASAP, before it destroys any other components.
 
You might see decreased capacity. Other than that it might show as normal. At least it did for me.

Again, don't wait too long. For now it's just topcase. Could also be the bottom cover + logic board.
 
The diagnostic test won't detect any physical changes to the battery, such as swelling.
You can take the bottom cover off, and look at the battery.
-- the rocking that you see now may just be the feet on the bottom cover. Maybe one is missing, or the cover might need to be reseated, making sure it is installed correctly.
The internal chassis can also become slightly warped over time. Some with that issue actually try putting some object under the case, and gently try to "urge/adjust" the case, where minor warping can sometimes be corrected with that bit of manipulation --- or, failing that, take to an Apple "genius", give them a look, listen to what they have to say about your MBPro.
 
No need to open the device. Put it on an absolutely straight surface, glass or marble and it is quite easy to see that the middle part (with least resistance) is bulging outwards, sometimes even touching the surface instead of the rubber feet.

If normal, there should be a uniform clearance between the bottom cover and the surface. You can shine a light from the other side to make it more visible.
 
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