Apple Replacing Older MacBook Pro With Faulty Batteries With Newer MacBook Pro Models

As we all know, batteries do not last for quite as long as we would like, and after hundreds of charging cycles the capacity of those batteries often falls to a level where the only real recourse is to replace them. Apple has long offered such a service, although it will cost $199 in the United States, £199 in the UK, or $259 in Canada.

If you have an older machine and don’t want to replace it though, that may be the best course of action to take. If you have AppleCare+, you’re covered for free, too.

There may be some good news if you do happen to find yourself in need of a new battery though, with MacRumors reporting that a new Apple directive has been issued in which users may receive replacement MacBook Pros rather than new batteries. Due to what is being described as a severe constraint of top case assemblies with integrated batteries, Apple has reportedly informed its own Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers that it is currently unable to replace the batteries of 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display models that were released in mid-2012 and early 2013.

As a result, replacement machines are instead being offered to those who do not want to wait until the constraint is expected to ease – Apple believes this will happen by September 15th – but if  customers decide to wait, in return for that patience, Apple will cover the fee for the replacement battery. Those who have opted for the swap-out have reported receiving anything from a refurbished machine to a brand new 2017 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.

The policy only applies to MacBook Pro with Retina display machines that were released in mid 2012 and early 2013, and while there does not appear to be any geographic restriction on this directive, not everyone appears to have gotten the message, so your mileage may well vary.

Those looking to get the battery serviced, should note that the battery condition on your Mac should actually be adverse as pointed out in macOS / OS X. You can check that by clicking the Apple logo on the menu bar and clicking About This Mac > System Report… > Power. Under the “Health Information” section, if the battery condition says “Service Battery” or something similar, you qualify for a replacement.

(Via: MacRumors)

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