battery question, can I get new one?

Hey my battery health is down to 90% after only 57 cycles. I laptop being a mbp 15 inch is only about 4 months old. I have applecare can I get a new battery, what is their policy with batteries?

 

I'm not really sure. I don't know Apple's specific stance on battery replacement. With most manufacturers, it's either 6 months after purchase (separate from the manufacturer's full warranty), or during the full warranty period. I'll have to check and make sure, but in either case, you should be able to get a new battery (although I'd be wondering if something else would make the battery fail so quickly).

EDIT: After looking over the 1-year warranty agreement, I couldn't find any specific references to a battery replacement time, so that leads me to believe it's during the full warranty period.

 

yes, you can if you are still under your one year hardware warranty. apparently even if you have extended applecare they will not replace removable parts after one year. they send you a new one, and you have to send back your old one within 10 days. although my battery was down to 45%, I'm not quite sure about 90%.

 

Did you call them or go to an Apple Store? And how many cycles did you have? I'm just asking because I have 135 cycles on my battery and it fairly consistently now reports 40-50% capacity although their is the random time that it charges up to the 70s or 80s. My 1 year warranty ends in a month so I'll have to do something about it soon.

 

Wow my battery is at 87% after 147 cycles. I would definitely have yours looked at ltcommander.

 

You did calibrate your battery, right? If not, do so. But yeah, that isn't normal...get it exchanged with Apple.

 

uh oh.. mine is like 88% after 45 cycles :X

 

yeah I called them... the rep had to check with some technical rep to OK it but it was a fairly easy exchange

 

That's definitely not right...get it checked and hopefully replaced, ltcommander_data!

 

For something like a battery was it just a straight exchange? Like did they have to take your computer for any length of time to run diagnostics or anything? It's exam time right now and I really can't be without my computer right now and by the time exams are over it's Christmas and New Years so they may be overly busy. Apple's website said my warranty expires January 1, so I really don't have much wiggle room.

 

nope just talked to the rep over the phone and told him the max charge (or something similar). it was listed under the battery options in system information and for me it was 2000 something and the rep said a good battery is 4000 something and from that they ok'd the decision to give me a new battery. I also mentioned that this drop to 45% health happened suddenly, which it did, I don't know if they just say screw you after you've been through a certain number of cycles, I was only at 22. anyways, I am about to start finals too, so I know how it is....

 

considering these batteries are rated at 300 charge cycles, i think 90% for 57 charges is just fine.

dont take advantage of apple because you like using your battery

 

Well, Apple claims the battery should still hold 80% charge after 300 cycles if it's well maintained. I don't know how high Apple's "well maintained" standard is, but I certainly haven't been aggressively using or heating my battery and 40-50% after 135 cycles is pretty far off Apple's estimates. awes1003's case seems to be even more exceptional with 45% after only 22 cycles.

 

Just an update for those who may have followed my premature battery wear issue. I went to the Apple Store today and when the Genius checked, it showed an even lower charge then I've experienced, somewhere in the low 40% with only 136 cycles. He said that is out of spec and replaced it on the spot. The most painless warranty experience I've ever had. Thank you to those who encouraged me to see a Genius and thank you to Apple.

 

Just to confirm, apple does take away the dead battery once they send you a new one? Do they send a box or something?

It'd be nice to keep my old battery to use when plugged in so i dont ruin the new one theyd send out.

 

yeah they make you send it back (you send it back in the box they sent the new one in free of charge)

 

I my case I went to an Apple Store and they did a 1 to 1 swap so you don't get to keep the old one. They probably take it and send it to Sony or whoever made it to get some reimbursement for defective parts.