Generic Macbook batteries (old type)

Hello,

My friend bought a Macbook Air today - and she's giving me her old Macbook (white), when the new one arrives. Ideal! My daughter needs a laptop for University and this will fit the bill nicely.

This old white Macbook works pretty well - but needs a new battery (old battery is completely dead, Macbook only works on power lead)

I see that Apple still sells these batteries for £100 (UK).
I also see generic replacement batteries on eBay (etc) for around £20.

If I was a rich man and had £100 spare, there'd be no question here. But I'm not and a saving of £80 (or so) would be very useful.
I've searched the forum but not found any specific answer which resolves this for me.
Is it a false economy? Will I buy the cheap battery and end up blowing £100 on the real thing a couple of weeks later.
Or, are batteries much of a muchness, these days?

(Also see some batteries in the middle price range - around £40 - £60. Wondering if these are the same as the cheaper ones, or ?)

Probably got a week, or so, to make my decision.
All advice and suggestions welcome.
Thanks, CB

You need to consider how much use your daughter can get from an older white MacBook. Is it in good condition and can it run the latest version of OS X (Mountain Lion)? If it's only a temporary use machine until she or you can afford something better, go for the £20 battery rather than the Apple one for £100. If it's in very good condition and you feel it will keep running for several more years, then buy the Apple battery.

cowbrain said:

I see that Apple still sells these batteries for £100 (UK).
I also see generic replacement batteries on eBay (etc) for around £20.

If I was a rich man and had £100 spare, there'd be no question here. But I'm not and a saving of £80 (or so) would be very useful.

Click to expand...

I think that you know the answer! If the £20 battery's were as good as the £100 ones from Apple...no one would buy the Apple battery's.

I think that with the £20 battery's...they basically don't have as long a runtime on a single charge.

The problem is...we usually hear more from folks having problems than we do from folks who are satisfied. So there may be folks out there that have had success with the £20 battery's...we just don't hear from many of them.

I still think that you get what you pay for. And £20 for a battery that Apple sells for £100 would seem to be a bit risky.

Here are some battery's from OWC (a trusted supplier). It's a US supplier...and the price is somewhat lower than Apple at $89 vs. $129 (Apple):

MacBook 13" White Laptop Battery High Capacity by NewerTech for all MacBook 13" 'White' models

HTH,

- Nick

Thanks for fast replies.

chscag: Good point. This is a completely unexpected windfall, so I'm winning whichever way it swings. Had a quick look at it today, has an intel core duo 2ghz, 2GB ram, 250gb hdd, running Leopard - so, not brilliant, but also not too bad. Could last years, could pack up next week. It's all a gamble.

pigoo3: Yeah, I guess I'm really wanting the Apple battery with a cheap price tag. But I like your point re, most posts involve complaints. There may be many satisfied £20 customers.
I also agree with your maxim (mine, too) "You get what you pay for."
Thanks for the link, seen some similar outlets in the UK selling Macbook compatible batteries for around £60. Most of these batteries advertising a life of 300 cycles (So, as chscag points out, if a long term investment - I'd be better off with the genuine Apple battery @ £100, with it's 1000 cycles)

One seller of the mid-priced batteries was claiming that the difference is that they use Japanese or Korean cells, whereas the cheaper ones use Chinese cells. The chinese cells have a shorter life (says the advertiser).
Advertiser also claimed that some of the cheaper batteries have no overcharge protection and batteries can explode - but, hey, that might just be scaremongering, for all I know.

Thanks again for replies.
Food for thought.
The jury is still out.
I'll let you know when it happens.
Or keep you posted of new events

Thanks again. Much appreciated, CB

You've got the wrong battery if you're seeing anything about 1,000 charge cycles on a battery for a white MB. 300 cycles is what they are rated at.

They do not use the batteries that have gone into the last 2-3 years (not sure exactly when Apple introduced them) of Macs that do have 1,000 cycle batteries.

I was just about to say the same thing as bobtomay. The older style "user replaceable" MacBook batteries were good for 300 cycles.

The newer (technically "non-user replaceable" batteries)...are the ones that are 1000 cycle batteries.

If you were to try to find/locate 1000 cycle batteries for older MacBooks/MacBook Pros (older than approx. 2009)...you would never find them...since they do not exist.

- Nick

I would never buy a "generic" replacement MacBook battery. Too many stories (and first-hand accounts) of fire, overheating, bulging, etc.

There are a few companies, like Newer Tech, I would trust to make a third-party replacement. Not many though.

The last of the MacBook range, the unibody version, had a 1000 cycle battery, but there was never a 2GHz version. Yours would have had a 300 cycle battery.

Whenever I'm booking in a MacBook for repair at the AASP I work for, and see a third party battery fitted, I always ask the customer what they think of it. I've never yet heard a good report, all were bought for around £20 - £30. Although the Apple batteries aren't cheap, hopefully one should last out the MacBook.

I see your MacBook has Leopard installed. I'd recommend buying the Snow Leopard DVD from Apple and upgrading the OS, Leopard is too old now and will create browsing problems.

Thanks for replies.

Ah, yes, I see. I got the cycle numbers confused. Thanks for clarifications.
Thanks for the Newer Tech tip. I like the sound of them. Checked out a few other named manufacturers who provide batteries, too. There's some interesting stuff out there - but I think I'm becoming convinced to stick with Apple and will probably go for the real thing.
It's still a 'probably' rather than a definite. Going to wait until I get my hands on the machine and give it a good check over first.

Yes, techiesteve, I'll be putting 10.6 on it, too. (I do have 10.6 on my own Macbook - but am having trouble editing my profile to include this!)

Thanks again for all your help. CB

If you go for a Newer Tech battery, The Bookyard are their UK agents, TheBookYard : Batteries £86.40 inc VAT. Not a lot less than Apple's £101.00. If you buy from the USA there's shipping, Royal Mail's £8.00 VAT collection fee and VAT @ 20% to consider.

techiesteve said:

Whenever I'm booking in a MacBook for repair at the AASP I work for, and see a third party battery fitted, I always ask the customer what they think of it. I've never yet heard a good report, all were bought for around £20 - £30.

Click to expand...

Thanks for mentioning that! Always great to get a larger "sample size opinion" regarding those inexpensive batteries.

What is/are the customers main complaint(s)?:

- short runtimes on a single charge
- battery swelling
- bad fit
- rapid decrease in single charge runtime
- etc.

Thanks,

- Nick