Integrated batteries

Both the current MacBook Pro and the Alienware M14x have integrated batteries. Just how hard are these to replace? I ask because I've found with previous machines I've owned that battery life tends to degrade after about 18 months. With those machines, it's an easy task of buying a new battery and swapping them out. With these integrated batteries, though, is this even something an owner (assume this is a user without a lot of technical knowledge or mechanical talent) can do himself/herself? I hear comments about "surgery" being required to take these batteries out...what sort of procedures exactly are we talking about?

 

Never mind, the M14x battery doesn't sound nearly as hard to get out as some reviews make it sound. Not what you'd want to be doing on a daily basis, but not hard to do if the battery is long in the tooth.

Documentation

 

for the M14x, you remove the baseplate, unplug a cord, and the battery is out. Standard screws, not the d-bag screws Apple uses.

 

Thanks, a review had said that the battery "could not be removed or replaced," and that spooked me. Taking a few screws out is no big deal at all. The review should have clarified that it's not a pop-out battery for quick changes, but it's still easily removable.

 

I think Dell laptops are relatively easy to take apart.

 

usually with integrated batteries, the batteries are of good quality and last longer than a removable battery. MacBook Pro batteries have 1000 cycles before they need to be replaced.

 

MBP integrated batteries have become difficult to remove ever since Apple started securing them with obscure screw heads. Needless to say, removing the battery is costly.