MacBook Batteries.

[hoody]

I've just read TonyBens thread about this subject and now I'm not sure what to do. I bought my mid 2013 refurb'd 13" macbook air from apple in, I think 2014, early 15. The battery seems to have come to the end of it's reliable life and I'm thinking of replacing it. I've seen the usual 40 and 50 Australian dollar stuff on ebay, and while I do buy things from there occasionally I don't like the idea of possibly playing with fire. I've seen that Apple charge A$189.00 for one and I can get one from a firm called Macfixit in Oz for A$140.00 post included. They seem to be all right, but I wondered if anyone had advice or knows this company. I don't always believe all the brilliant reviews on the net. So basically I'd like opinions on Apple or Macfixit.
Thanks in advance.

 

[chscag]

One of our members from Australia will have to comment on Macfixit. Apple batteries while more expensive are usually of good quality and will outlast any other. As long as Macfixit gives a warranty and allows a refund for the battery (in case it doesn't work out) you can always take a chance. Some of our members have had good luck with knock off batteries from eBay. But like anything else, your mileage may vary.

 

[hoody]

Thanks, I'll wait and see if I hear from any aussie members. I just don't like the idea of a cheap knock off in case it ends up being really bad... even though I'd like to save some money. The original battery has lasted until now, so no complaints about that.

 

[pigoo3]

Wasn't 100% sure from post #1 if you needed the new battery installed or were willing to give it a go installing it yourself. If you were checking out eBay...then I'm assuming you were thinking of doing it yourself.

If willing to install yourself...you could check out OWC (macsales.com). They have good batteries (purchased from them myself)...looks like $79.99 (A$114.50) for a 2013 MacBook Air. Probably some shipping & maybe other costs to Australia.

Replacement Battery for 13-Inch MacBook Air 2010 - 2017

HTH,

- Nick

 

[hoody]

Thanks Nick. Macfix in Australia are selling the NewerTech batteries and I will be fitting it myself. These batteries retail in the states for US$79.99 but here they're A$139.99. Not a bad mark up. It would have to be the Australian one because of warranty problems if anything went wrong with it. I will have a look at cost of sending one from there to here, more as a matter of interest really.

 

[pm-r]

Even though it was different battery technology a great number of years ago. but I found the NewerTech batteries to be excellent and in fact substantially better and had more capacity than Apple's batteries, and at a considerable savings.

Do be aware that shipping of lithium-x based batteries has become quite restricted and most air transport almost banned, at least up here in Canada, ands I wouldn't be surprised if Australia isn't as affected as well.


- Patrick
======

 

[hoody]

I did wonder about air mailing batteries, but as you're sounding pretty pleased with NewerTech, I might as well try them. Thanks for the info.

 

[hoody]

Hi again Patrick,
You probably realise I've been pretty preoccupied with the imac for a while. When I get some money in the kitty again, I'll go for the Newertech battery from Macfixit. I did contact ifixit in the states but as you said, they wouldn't send it to Oz.

Nick,
No one wants to send batteries to Oz, so as I said it's Macfixit when I've got some money again.

Thanks all for the help.

 

[krs]

No one wants to send batteries to Oz.........

It's not so much that no one wants to send a battery to Oz, they are not allowed to if it has to go by air.

A few years back I wanted to get a battery shipped from the US to Canada, I couldn't even make that happen because the only shipping method offered by the supplier was via air.

 

[pm-r]

When I get some money in the kitty again, I'll go for the Newertech battery from Macfixit. I did contact ifixit in the states but as you said, they wouldn't send it to Oz.[by air]

It's been a long time since I purchased a Newertech battery, but there should be some decent batteries available from some of your local eBay / Amazon online sales places that specialize in them and have them in stock so they don't have to fly them anywhere.

I have purchased from several Canadian suppliers, mainly to avoid any duties (the batteries are not made in the US), goofy air shipping, and the batteries have all been at least equivalent to or better then the absurd priced Apple portable batteries and they have worked just as well, if not better.

Just don't expect to get good results from those batteries that are selling for $20 or under!!!

The last Canadian eBay store replacement battery (2009 MacBook) I purchased cost just over $50 Canadian. Apple's absurd price was well over $100 or was it $150 or more that they were asking. And the one I purchased had exactly the same writing and specs and both made in China or Asia and tested out properly using coconut battery.app.

@Pete

Bribie Island Qld Australia

An interesting looking place, at least when using a quick "fly over" at low altitude with Google Maps.



- Patrick
======

 

[pigoo3]

Nick,
No one wants to send batteries to Oz, so as I said it's Macfixit when I've got some money again.

Well that stinks...I guess I'll have to stop recommending battery's from OWC to member's outside the United States.

I'm sure as member krs posted...it's a legal thing. OWC would certainly ship it to you if they could.

Thanks for mentioning it...great to know.

- Nick

 

[chscag]

The FAA has banned certain batteries from being shipped via air. Some years ago a cargo 747 jet was brought down by leaking Lithium batteries being shipped. The batteries caught fire in the rear cargo hold and the smoke eventually overcame the crew which then crashed the plane. I believe the accident happened in the Middle East somewhere.

Anyway, that's the primary reason Lithium batteries are restricted from being shipped by air at least out of the US.

 

[pm-r]

Anyway, that's the primary reason Lithium batteries are restricted from being shipped by air at least out of the US.

There have been several more, and even some very recent incidents involving lithium batteries that have spurred the more recent emphasis against shipping by air.

Lithium batteries can still be shipped by air under certain rules and conditions but I suspect that meeting those conditions can be such a time-consuming problem, plus the fact that the rules keep changing so often, that the companies just say they don't ship by air.

In many cases, they must be labeled and treated as Dangerous Goods and require special Packaging and labeling and handling.

PS: I really suspect many computer users who do their own battery replacements are unaware of the potential dangers of lithium batteries or how to treat them, especially those in the plastic type pack.

For anyone that is interested, they can read the article here:
BU-304a: Safety Concerns with Li-ion
Safety Concerns with Li-ion Batteries – Battery University



- Patrick
======

 

[hoody]

Don't know what happened to my post... I've checked that we were still on page 1. Anyway, in answer to Krs, I was saying that it was just terminology. I know that Lithium batteries are all but banned from being airmailed because of past incidents, so can't get too upset about it.

Patrick, I will end up getting the Newertech one from Macfixit because I'm dubious about things like this from ebay. I don't fancy the laptop going off bang while I'm using it. The crown jewels are still dear to me. I'll download the 'coconut battery app' and see what it says. I went to start it up this morning at 25% and it turned off, so it looks a bit dodgy.

 

[hoody]

It's been a long time since I purchased a Newertech battery, but there should be some decent batteries available from some of your local eBay / Amazon online sales places that specialize in them and have them in stock so they don't have to fly them anywhere.


@Pete

An interesting looking place, at least when using a quick "fly over" at low altitude with Google Maps.



- Patrick
======

Yeah, it's not bad. We retired here in 2012. (I'd taken forced retirement due to falling off the back of the semi I was driving and giving the old noggin a really good bang on the concrete. All my mates said it was lucky I landed on my head. Anyway, I have short term memory problems and get confused easily. Fall over now and then too... that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it) Since 2012 the developers have got in, obviously greased a few palms and now it's turned from a nice quiet, sleepy place into one that's not so nice. Still it is what it is.

 

[pigoo3]

...I will end up getting the Newertech one from Macfixit because I'm dubious about things like this from ebay.

I didn't go into this earlier...but in addition to questionable quality control of the lower cost batteries (safety & otherwise)...another problem I've run into with the lower cost eBay batteries is fit. When I was looking for a replacement battery for my 2011 MacBook Pro (and tried a lower cost eBay battery)...it simply didn't fit properly.

When I tried to put it in place it was very snug...when I replaced the bottom cover it was snug...and when I went to use the computer...so much pressure was being exerted on the trackpad from underneath that the trackpad physical clicking did not work.

When I purchased a Newertech battery from OWC (which was more expensive)...it fit perfect (slipped right into place with no resistance)...and the trackpad worked fine.

I'm sure there are folks with positive experiences with eBay purchased batteries...but at the same time I'm guessing there's a higher rate of dissatisfaction as well (compared to better quality batteries).

- Nick

p.s. I should add...the eBay batteries (I tried 2) were supposed to be genuine OEM Apple batteries (had all the exact correct labels & battery info my original Apple battery had). But they simply were not the same somehow.

 

[hoody]

Yeah that confirms my thinking Nick. I'd sooner do it right the first time.

 

[pigoo3]

Yeah that confirms my thinking Nick. I'd sooner do it right the first time.

With the eBay batteries I dealt with...I probably messed around for a good 2-3 weeks going back & forth with a couple different eBay sellers trying to get things right (including returns & 2nd & 3rd batteries being sent from the same seller). Then probably at least 2 hours for each battery I received...to install it (easy)...and then through testing to try to get things to work before returning a battery.

Then I gave up on eBay...ordered from OWC...and within 15 minutes everything was fitted & working fine!

- Nick

 

[hoody]

Gets frustrating when knockoffs are so bad. I've been pretty lucky with ebay so far, but there are things I'm dubious about.