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Apple prices, details 17" MBP battery swap

updated 12:25 pm EST, Wed January 7, 2009

MBP battery swap costs

Apple has confirmed the pricing and steps needed to replace the battery in the new 17-inch MacBook Pro, a report indicates. Due to a new power-efficient design, the battery cannot easily be replaced by owners; instead, an Apple spokesperson says, people will have to bring their Pros to an Apple Store or an authorized reseller, where they will pay a fee of $179. This should cover the cost of installation, the new battery, and safe disposal of the old battery.

The spokesperson claims however that the projected lifespan of the battery is approximately five years, based on an estimated 1,000-cycle ceiling with an average of 200 cycles elapsed per year. The battery is in fact said to be significantly better than the one in the MacBook Air, which must also be replaced by dealers at a cost of $129.

 
Previous Comments

Apple's best laptop ever

01/07, 12:51pm (1 reply) reply

I'd like to first congratulate Apple on the MacBook Pro 17", it's Apple's best product and it's very impressive.

As for the battery, $179 is a steal, this battery handles 1,000 cycles which is twice as much as any other Lithium battery I've heard of.
So in comparison to traditional laptop batteries this one actually costs $80 to replace!! Also having a battery that lasts twice as long cuts your worrying, and frustrations in half ;)

bloggerblog

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2007

-2

BTW

01/07, 12:52pm (1 reply) reply

Love the fact that 17" Antiglare has an aluminum frame instead of the black. I just wish they didn't charge the extra $50

bloggerblog

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2007

+6

Well.....

01/07, 12:52pm reply

The price doesn't sound unreasonable and with Apple's expansion in the retail market there are more and more places to bring it for walk in service. The non-removable battery is a controversial move, but Apple is no stranger to controversy. My guess is that most professionals won't really miss the removable battery given the extended run-time. Though I'm sure there are several who actually buy a couple of backups, but even then they'd have to have 3 or 4 to equal the single charge of this battery if it is indeed up to 8 hours of life in real world operation. Only time will tell.

slider

Mac Elite

Joined: Oct 1999

+1

Kept in stock

01/07, 12:54pm (1 reply) reply

And as long as they keep them in stock at the Store (especially in case of defective ones) it shouldn't take much more than 15 minutes for them to replace for you.

Roehlstation

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

+1

Re: Kept in stock

01/07, 01:22pm (1 reply) reply

Whether it "shouldn't take more than 15 minutes" means nothing. Its whether it will take 15 minutes, or is it a trip to the store to drop off, and another a day or two later to pick up.

testudo

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

+3

Recycling charge?

01/07, 01:36pm (1 reply) reply

"...This should cover the cost of installation, the new battery, and safe disposal of the old battery..." If this fee includes a charge for the recycling, in the EU they will be violating the free take-back obligations of manufacturers. Does this exist in the U.S.A. ?

Feathers

Forum Regular

Joined: Oct 1999

+1

I wonder....

01/07, 02:27pm reply

I know Apple got in trouble for the whole iPod thing a while ago and thier charges for changing the battery... (not sure what became of it tho...) but what legal issues can arise from this? not allowing one to remove the battery and "forcing" one to pay an extreme amount to exchange it? i know that the battery on my powerbook g3 only lasted for like 2 years and they wanted 175 for a new one back in 2000...

MacMan2000

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2008

0

I'm calling Shinanigans!

01/07, 03:59pm reply

This laptop, though is very cool in some ways, is a step backwards. The great part of the new 15" MBPs is that you can finally replace the HARD DRIVE AND MEMORY without voiding the warranty. As someone that needs larger drive space as it becomes available this is very important. With the 17" we are back to the user not only not being able to upgrade the hard drive.. but memory too. I would love to be wrong on this but from what I've seen this seems to be the case.

Guest

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 1999

+2

If its $179 with install

01/07, 03:59pm reply

what is the part cost alone? $60?

ibugv4

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2003

+1

It's rather simple to

01/07, 04:07pm reply

change a battery in an iPod. Opening the case without scratching it is the most difficult part.

All of my Macs lasted longer than five years, so $179 divided over the cost of five years is rather insignificant. I'd rather get twice the battery life even if it means having to get it replaced by Apple. I'd just rather not wait two days or more for the replacement.

Constable Odo

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2007

0

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