US $900 battery replacement

[Soca]

I have a 2017 MacbookPro with a service battery indicator. I live in a South American country and the Apple authorized franchises want $850 or $900 US and 12 days to replace. That’s too much and too long.

A local computer store that’s done a great job for me will do it for $175, also including labor. But a non-Apple brand of course.

I called an Apple store in Miami and the employee said a battery cost $129 but didn’t know the labor cost. I called and ask that they ship it to to me to have my store install it. An Apple sales agent and then a supervisor said no, must be installed at an Apple authorized store.

I realize a nonstandard battery is a risk. But if the laptop burns up, I just won’t make the mistake of buying another Apple product. I say that now even though I started with an Apple ][+. This Mac’s keyboard, the battery cost and other issues have soured me.

Does Apple recognize how dysfunctional this is? Or care?

 

[macos9rules]

In Canada, it would cost $259 when you see the replace battery warning:

Mac Repair and Service - Apple Support (CA)

Need to repair your Mac? See your service options, their costs by coverage type, and how long they take.

support.apple.com

It would be around $900 when you don't see the warning. That's because the battery is built into the top case, which is an expensive part.

I would replace it at an Apple Store, and you will get a fresh new keyboard as a bonus.

 

[Slarti.BartFast]

I have a 2017 MacbookPro with a service battery indicator. I live in a South American country and the Apple authorized franchises want $850 or $900 US and 12 days to replace. That’s too much and too long.

A local computer store that’s done a great job for me will do it for $175, also including labor. But a non-Apple brand of course.

I called an Apple store in Miami and the employee said a battery cost $129 but didn’t know the labor cost. I called and ask that they ship it to to me to have my store install it. An Apple sales agent and then a supervisor said no, must be installed at an Apple authorized store.

I realize a nonstandard battery is a risk. But if the laptop burns up, I just won’t make the mistake of buying another Apple product. I say that now even though I started with an Apple ][+. This Mac’s keyboard, the battery cost and other issues have soured me.

Does Apple recognize how dysfunctional this is? Or care?

"Does Apple recognize how dysfunctional this is? Or care?" - They don't care about anything unless they can sell you shiny shiny - I've had macs since 2004, I'm on my last Apple products

I needed the battery in my 2013 MBP replacing they wanted 10 days to replace the battery and I think £250 or so, then they checked and discovered it's 'vintage' according to Apple - no parts - go away !


I've guessed at which one you need

iFixit - and half a day for half the price Apple want.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Touch+Bar+2017+Battery+Replacement/123894 - get the parts any tools they recommend !

 

[edelman]

Is your MBP still eligible for Apple's 4-year keyboard service program? It shouldn't be a challenge to find keys that are not functioning perfectly in 2017 MBP. If you get the keyboard replaced, you get the battery replaced as extra.

I have been disappointed with my 2017 MBP. The first time keyboard failed after 13 months, and I got it replaced. After five months, the replaced battery started swelling, and the laptop was rocking on the table when typing. I got it all replaced again. Two weeks ago, I visited an authorized Apple repair shop again to get the keyboard replaced again. As standard, I got a new bottom unibody, new battery, and new touchpad too when they swapped the keyboard.

Now I am planning to sell this MBP. Someone who does not know may still pay for this, and the keyboard is anyway new, and the battery cycle count is 4!

 

[Soca]

Thanks all for responding. Since the SERVICE BATTERY indicator has come on, I'd think that battery replacement is not premature.

The keyboard does not seem to have any broken keys, BUT, would it count if it has increasingly input multiple spaces when I didn't press twice?

It's been driving me crazy as I get a "period" when that happens, even though I gave up putting in two spaces after a period decades ago.

I bought the computer in April 2018... so not yet 4 years.

If I could get Apple in the US to direct the store to make the change without more than a nominal charge, I'd consider that. Although giving up the computer for two weeks would make it hard to do my work!

 

[matrix07]

I have a 2017 MacbookPro with a service battery indicator. I live in a South American country and the Apple authorized franchises want $850 or $900 US and 12 days to replace. That’s too much and too long.

A local computer store that’s done a great job for me will do it for $175, also including labor. But a non-Apple brand of course.

I called an Apple store in Miami and the employee said a battery cost $129 but didn’t know the labor cost. I called and ask that they ship it to to me to have my store install it. An Apple sales agent and then a supervisor said no, must be installed at an Apple authorized store.

I realize a nonstandard battery is a risk. But if the laptop burns up, I just won’t make the mistake of buying another Apple product. I say that now even though I started with an Apple ][+. This Mac’s keyboard, the battery cost and other issues have soured me.

Does Apple recognize how dysfunctional this is? Or care?

That's F_up. I had replaced my 2011 MBA battery 'twice' and each time it only costed me $110 total.

 

[iMacDragon]

The keyboard does not seem to have any broken keys, BUT, would it count if it has increasingly input multiple spaces when I didn't press twice?

Yes, that should count as a recognised keyboard fault.

Duplicating keys was mostly what I experienced for replacement.