I have a still perfectly useable early-2015 MacBook Pro that I purchased from Apple 6 years ago. The battery needs to be changed, especially since it has visibly started bulging the keyboard. I went to two Apple Authorized Service Providers. Each time, someone at the counter just checked the laptop model, then saying that it’s classified as a “vintage product” and that the battery can’t be changed. Yeah, “vintage product.” Apple is great with naming things.
Okay, so Apple is hellbent on not allowing other stores to fix or replace parts, but at the same time they leave customers in the dark with perfectly decent laptops.
I’ve always purchased official Apple batteries, because Chinese knock-offs usually don’t last very long, and they can be a fire hazard. I tried finding a way to get an OWC battery, which apparently is a good brand, but there aren’t any places selling them where I live. All the non-official Apple repair stores sell knock-off batteries.
Any suggestions of what I should do?
Apple support MacBook battery changes on machines up to 10 years old, but only directly from the Genius Bar at an Apple retail store, and it’s then shipped away to be completed.
It’s a truly painful process, whereby it’s only subject to availability, you can’t see if a battery is available before attending, (I live 80 miles from my nearest store) and you can’t mail in the machine.
I had one done recently, and the “new” battery itself was physically 6 years old, and now only holds its charge for a couple of hours and Apple won’t do anything about it.
So, not impossible, but it should be easier.
There’s a 90-day warranty on Genius Bar repairs. Also, in your situation, it’s best to call the store directly and arrange a repair reservation for your Mac. Don’t expect technicians to agree because it would be an exception but if you’re kind and explain your situation I don’t see why they might say no. The only issue is that if the repair is completed in-store, there’s a 3-5 day turnaround time. The other option is to have an Apple repair center complete the repair and ship your computer back straight to you.
Vintage, Obsolete and other terms have existed for years, this isn’t new whatsoever. So what if they don’t want to do the battery? Let them lose the revenue and take it somewhere else or do it yourself. This is 2023, nearly 2024 we have guides, access to parts and tools. There’s no reason not to get it done.
Okay, so Apple is hellbent on not allowing other stores to fix or replace parts, but at the same time they leave customers in the dark with perfectly decent laptops.
You’re confused, there are authorized and non-authorized repair centers. There’s also nothing proprietary about doing a battery. Do not confuse a battery replacement on a laptop for displays on a phone - they’re different.
All these batteries you find will only be online, you’re not gonna get it offline you have to order it bud. Or you can take it to a shop - they have to get the parts. That’s their problem not yours.
ifixit battery if you want another method.
Here’s the guide in written form, and here in video form and here
You seem to be the one who is confused, and as if you didn’t read the OP at all.
My issue is that third-party knock-off batteries are usually garbage. Even the iFixit one you suggest. https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1237kwd/anyone_ever_had_issues_with_ifixit_macbook/
Plus, that you suggest getting a laptop battery from some mystery store on eBay is just plain bad advice. Even more garbage than the knock-off ones on Amazon.
Where do you think Apple gets their batteries? I think you overestimate the amount of battery manufacturers in the world.
Yes Amazon/Aliexpress is wild west with lacking QA, and high prices are no guarantees for quality. Hell I have first hand experience (working at a mayor LCD manufacturer) that 90% of all QA rejects end up on aliexpress (or equivalent).
However you cant fault apple for limiting support on older devices, probably old stock is drying up and production of spare parts has stopped. Poor quality 3rd party is the only option you have.
You can however fault apple for your device not functioning properly because the battery is dead (the infamous “PROCHOT” throttling when any part of the laptop is missing).
Just because Apple gets its batteries from suppliers in China doesn’t make every Chinese knock-off battery sold in China of the same quality. That’s seriously flawed logic.
I think you overestimate the amount of battery manufacturers in the world.
I think you overestimate your understanding of Chinese battery manufacturers. As in, you don’t speak Mandarin, and probably have zero knowledge of it.
Interesting. They end up on AliExpress as replacement LCDs for the model they were literally made for? What’s usually wrong with them?
What the fuck do you want people to suggest dude.
You made this vague post and decide to shit on people who give you actual solutions and refuse to accept them. You look stupid
wait, are the chinese made battery that bad? Im about to buy one myself for my 2017 mbp and your comment scares me. I can accept if it won;t last at long (not 1000 cycles), that’s fine. But fire hazard?
I thought the Early 2015 MBP was still supported until Fall 2024. So it should be still be fine.
That said is is really easy to replace the battery yourself if you can follow a guide. And I do think it is fine for Apple to drop support on a laptop after 9 years.
Does the laptop still get security patches? That’s what I’d worry about most…
Yes, both bootcamp installation and ubuntu 22.04 are still receiving security updates.
As for OSX, no not receiving updates.
Order a battery directly from OWC and replace it yourself. They mail it to you so you don’t have go anywhere and they have great videos on line showing you how to perform the replacement. It is not difficult.
Ifixit might have both battery and video on how to replace.
get a third party battery, replace it yourself
Throw out the old computer and buy a new one.
Apple cares about the environment, by the way.
Minus the battery, laptop works perfectly fine.
What are you expecting from this post dude
I got a new battery in my 2015 MacBook at an Apple store about six months ago. Cost about $300 CAD everything included.
Right to repair, it’s a great movement.
Third party batteries are all poop. All of them.
Find a nice used one with a low cycle count on eBay or similar.
And this is why you do not have to “future proof” your Mac but just get what you need now. New tech will outpace old tech very quickly.
This isn’t a conspiracy. Apple just doesn’t want to support its older products.
The 2015 Macbook is not “over 7 years old”, it’s almost 9 years old, and it’s a good chance that Apple either does not carry parts for such an old machine or they don’t want to deal with the liability of performing out-of-warranty service for such an old Mac, because if anything goes wrong they have to take responsibility for it. I’m just giving you my take.
Like others said your only option is to find a 3rd party local repair shop and have the install a 3rd party non-Apple battery if you want to keep using it.
I bought it in the middle of 2016, so yes, it’s a 7.5 year-old laptop. One which works perfectly fine and definitely is not “obsolete.” Apple does this mainly because it forces customers to buy a new device. Simple as that.
whilst I don’t argue your “planned obsolescence” dig at Apple, no other manufacturer is supplying spare parts for 8 year old models, regardless when purchased.
Regardless, I agree with you that the device is far from obsolete. I myself am rocking a 2016 MBP, but it was a hell replacing the keyboard and battery.
no other manufacturer is supplying spare parts for 8 year old models, regardless when purchased.
Cheap laptops from other manufacturers don’t cost as much as a MacBook Pro. And I’m sure some do.
I have a 13" Dell device with an I5 that I got from work which is sold at $1799. Not all non-apple devices are cheap.
Good for you.
yeah I don’t know what I was thinking posting on r/macbook
Holy shit, you are the embodiment of that “ackshually” meme guy.
GUESS WHAT - 9 YEARS OLD IS OVER 7 YEARS OLD.
holy shit, I can’t even believe you exist.