MBP - Service battery?

patto_chan

The other day I was using my MBP on battery power alone when, with 30% remaining on the battery indicator, it suddenly shut down. Plugged it in and charged it up again. The menu bar battery status indicator is now reading 'Service Battery'.

Mac Help says:
"Service Battery: The battery isn’t functioning normally, and you may or may not notice a change in its behavior or the amount of charge it holds. Have your computer checked by an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP). You can continue to use your battery before it’s checked without harming your computer."

Bummer. This battery is just over 14 months old. Is it worth servicing or should I just bite the bullet and buy another? Anyone with similar experience?

ethernet

Got the same message after upgrading to Snow Leopard but it has since gone away.

Have you tried calibrating the battery?

Type 17

You should install the iStat Pro widget, which has a reading for battery health, and then calibrate the battery as mentioned above (a few times, if necessary), to see if it can be improved.

dubmick

I got a 'replace now' message yesterday. Seems to be gone now. The MBP is 22 months old, battery health is at 79% and it has gone through 373 cycles

Cabaal

OP I have the exact same message with my MacBook, have about 200 odd cycles and battery health is in the tiolet at approx 50% which is what iStat says anyway.

Elessar

FYI I recently replaced my MBP battery. Bought it on ebay. Brand new, never used. Cost me €40 incl postage from Hong Kong. Thats nearly €100 cheaper than Apple are selling them for.

dubmick

Elessar wrote: »

FYI I recently replaced my MBP battery. Bought it on ebay. Brand new, never used. Cost me €40 incl postage from Hong Kong. Thats nearly €100 cheaper than Apple are selling them for.

Elessar, can you tell me what seller you bought it off?

Thanks

Elessar

This guy:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/A1175-Batterie-Akku-for-Apple-MacBook-pro-15-MA348G-A_W0QQitemZ180455593328QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFR_GH_Informatique_Accessoires_PC_Portables_Batteries?hash=item2a03fdd570#ht_2422wt_1167

dubmick

Elessar wrote: »

This guy:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/A1175-Batterie-Akku-for-Apple-MacBook-pro-15-MA348G-A_W0QQitemZ180455593328QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFR_GH_Informatique_Accessoires_PC_Portables_Batteries?hash=item2a03fdd570#ht_2422wt_1167

thanks, he is based in China but the listing is in French. Bizarre.

Elessar

If you look through his item listing he should have it up in english aswell.

patto_chan

I'm not sure these are original Apple batteries?
At least judging from the photo in this eBay listing from the same seller:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Battery-For-Apple-MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-A1175-MA348G_W0QQitemZ180454329439QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptop_Batteries?hash=item2a03ea8c5f

And the seller says he manufactures and sells them.

Elessar, how has the battery you purchased from this guy performed? Everything good?

Elessar wrote: »

This guy:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/A1175-Batterie-Akku-for-Apple-MacBook-pro-15-MA348G-A_W0QQitemZ180455593328QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFR_GH_Informatique_Accessoires_PC_Portables_Batteries?hash=item2a03fdd570#ht_2422wt_1167

patto_chan

Thanks all for the various suggestions. I have calibrated both my MBP batteries - the original one (now a backup) and the newer one which is giving me the problem.

Original battery: used Dec-06 to Nov-08
Cycles: 116
Health: 81%

New Battery: used from Nov-08 to now
Cycles: 110
Health: 41% (ouch!)

It looks like the newer one is kaput. Up until last week it performed OK. Now, when the level drops to 20-30% it dies suddenly - not sleep mode, it dies.

Elessar

patto_chan wrote: »

I'm not sure these are original Apple batteries?
At least judging from the photo in this eBay listing from the same seller:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Battery-For-Apple-MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-A1175-MA348G_W0QQitemZ180454329439QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLaptop_Batteries?hash=item2a03ea8c5f

And the seller says he manufactures and sells them.

Elessar, how has the battery you purchased from this guy performed? Everything good?

The front of the battery is not entirely flush with the rest of it but apart from that it's been fine. I have no complaints.