MBPro 2013 - Service Battery - Replace or Wait?

[RadDave]

Hello All - for the last year or so, I've been watching my early 2013 MBPro's battery seemingly deteriorate as to its 'health' - a 'System Report' advises 'Service Battery' (first image below) whatever that may mean, and a Coconut app analysis shows a 70% health status, even though the battery has gone through only 228 cycles (second pic) - I have two laptops now, one a newer MBAir which I take on trips - the Pro stays at home and is virtually plugged into AC all of the time, so I guess the battery is of little importance using the laptop in that fashion.

The MBPro will be 4 y/o next spring - my feeling is just to continue on w/ my current use, i.e. why replace a battery if not needed (unless of course if I decide to buy one of the newer MBPros and want to sell or trade-in the older one) - any thoughts would be appreciated - my AppleCare is gone, so the device is not in warranty - if I eventually decide on replacing the battery (the computer is still working fine), should I try on my own or have it serviced locally? Thanks - Dave
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[chscag]

The battery in your 2013 MacBook Pro is of the non serviceable type. In other words, only Apple is supposed to perform maintenance on it or change it out. However, I believe that particular battery should be good for a 1000 cycles which makes me wonder if Apple would change it out for free? Wouldn't hurt to ask them. Is there an Apple Store nearby your home that you can take it to and have them check it out? The diagnostic is free at an Apple Store.

 

[pigoo3]

Dave. Have you tried an SMC Reset? If not...give it a try...and see if anything changes.

If nothing changes...agree with chscag. Take it to Apple...and see if they will replace it for free or at least at reduced cost.

That battery is good for 1000 cycles. And at 1000 cycles...the battery is still supposed to have 80% capacity remaining. Thus 70.5% with 228 cycles is not right.

- Nick

 

[RadDave]

The battery in your 2013 MacBook Pro is of the non serviceable type. In other words, only Apple is supposed to perform maintenance on it or change it out. However, I believe that particular battery should be good for a 1000 cycles which makes me wonder if Apple would change it out for free? Wouldn't hurt to ask them. Is there an Apple Store nearby your home that you can take it to and have them check it out? The diagnostic is free at an Apple Store.

Dave. Have you tried an SMC Reset? If not...give it a try...and see if anything changes.

If nothing changes...agree with chscag. Take it to Apple...and see if they will replace it for free or at least at reduced cost.

That battery is good for 1000 cycles. And at 1000 cycles...the battery is still supposed to have 80% capacity remaining. Thus 70.5% with 228 cycles is not right.

Hi Chscag & Nick - thanks for responding - My feeling exactly, i.e. I should have 80% or better health after 500+ cycles - I've done the SMC reset a half dozen times over this year and usually returns a little more battery health, so I've given up on that maneuver. I'm in Winston Salem which has a Simply Mac store at our local mall (a 10 min drive) - I took the computer there in early 2016 (before my Apple Care expired) complaining about the battery - nothing much was done. The closest Apple Store is in Greensboro, a 40 min drive - I'll give Apple Support a chance (expect failure) and if not satisfied will take the Pro into one of the places mentioned. Thanks again for your experiences - I owned 4 PC laptops before buying my first Apple one, but usually purchased new PC lappies after a few years. Dave

 

[RadDave]

OK - I just ended a half hour conversation on the phone w/ Apple - sent to a 'senior advisor' and explained my situation, especially expecting a battery replacement at the time earlier this year when my AppleCare was still intact - he decided to replace my battery at no charge - Apple will be sending me a 'box' to ship to them (my choice vs. local drives to Greensboro) - SO, should get a free battery replacement!

NOW, the advisor does not guarantee that my SSD will come back intact, of course, I'll do my usual backups to this laptop, i.e. TM x2 & CCC x2 - my only concern is that I gave them my main admin sign-in information, so my email and forums, which automatically appear on this home alone computer will be accessible - now should I trust them or change my login options - could have setup a different sign-in account but the night was late, I was tired, and had a few glasses of wine - Thanks again - Dave

 

[pigoo3]

OK - I just ended a half hour conversation on the phone w/ Apple - sent to a 'senior advisor' and explained my situation, especially expecting a battery replacement at the time earlier this year when my AppleCare was still intact - he decided to replace my battery at no charge - Apple will be sending me a 'box' to ship to them (my choice vs. local drives to Greensboro) - SO, should get a free battery replacement!

SUPER AWESOME Dave!!!

This was going to be my next suggestion (call Apple since the nearest Apple store is not exactly "near")! But you already did it.

A BIG congrats on a VERY positive outcome!!!

- Nick

 

[MacInWin]

One thing on batteries: All LiIon batteries start to decay two years after manufacture (not just in service, but manufacture). CoconutBattery shows that battery was manufactured 3.75 years ago, so in addition to the cycles, the clock says it is starting to decay. I think it should not have dropped that much, frankly, so Apple replacing it for you is a good thing, but just wanted people to know that it's more than just cycles, it's also clock that affects LiIon batteries.

As for the account information, why not change your email and forum passwords from another device while it's enroute to them so that even though they can log into your account, they can't get to your email? Then you can just update it when you get it back with the new passwords and you should be good to go.

 

[RadDave]

One thing on batteries: All LiIon batteries start to decay two years after manufacture (not just in service, but manufacture). CoconutBattery shows that battery was manufactured 3.75 years ago, so in addition to the cycles, the clock says it is starting to decay. I think it should not have dropped that much, frankly, so Apple replacing it for you is a good thing, but just wanted people to know that it's more than just cycles, it's also clock that affects LiIon batteries.

As for the account information, why not change your email and forum passwords from another device while it's enroute to them so that even though they can log into your account, they can't get to your email? Then you can just update it when you get it back with the new passwords and you should be good to go.

Hi Jake - thanks for your thoughts and recommendations - I sent the computer back yesterday in the return label box - I re-contacted the Apple Support guy and decided to simply change the password to my main account and gave them the PW to my 'Test Account' - hopefully the Apple techs can use that one - I was given the warning that my SSD could be 'wiped' if another issue is found, so I have TM backups X 2 and CCC backups X 2 - tomorrow, I'll respond to their email link to see if the laptop was received and what the status may be - I'll report back. Dave

 

[RadDave]

Just a follow-up for those who may be interested - my early 2013 MBPro was just returned via Fed-Ex - Apple Care had expired in the spring of this year but I had complained about a battery issue. The laptop was sent in on Sunday (Dec 11) w/ their box - returned w/ postage paid by Apple both ways. The computer arrived at their repair center on Tuesday and was delivered back to my doorstep on Wednesday, Dec 14 @ 11:30 AM (see first image below).

Both the battery and the trackpad were replaced at their cost; thus, did not cost me a cent! I'm really impressed that this was done 'out of warranty' - maybe the guy I talked to on the phone and me 'hit it off' but he did review my earlier experience at Simply Mac and noted the battery complaint that was not addressed (I was still under Apple Care then).

WELL, so let's look at the 'new' battery - second combo pic below - Battery Health 2 & Coconut Battery reports - LOOKING GOOD! Dave
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[pigoo3]

Absolutely awesome Dave! Well worth that phone call!!!

Two things of note:

1. I wish more of the folks that complain about Apple would read threads like this before "flaking-out"!
2. Certainly a VERY busy time of the year for delivery companies (Fed Ex, UPS, etc.). Looks like your computer made the round trip with no delivery delays!

Congrats again,

- Nick

 

[RadDave]

Absolutely awesome Dave! Well worth that phone call!!!

Two things of note:

1. I wish more of the folks that complain about Apple would read threads like this before "flaking-out"!
2. Certainly a VERY busy time of the year for delivery companies (Fed Ex, UPS, etc.). Looks like your computer made the round trip with no delivery delays!

Thanks Nick for your comments - I was impressed not only w/ the 'free' repair, but also the efficiency of the mailing and rapid return of the computer. Also, the SSD came back intact, so no need to do any backups (although I was ready) - just changed my password back and updated to macOS 10.12.2 w/o a problem. Dave

 

[MacInWin]

Great news, Dave! Apple, for my money, does a great job at support like that.

 

[RadDave]

Great news, Dave! Apple, for my money, does a great job at support like that.

Jake - agree completely! ?

Dave