Or when your job buys computers for your work. Lots of different possible scenarios.
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2014 MBP starting to bulge. Replace battery or recycle?
- Thread starter Khaetra
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The Golf R has the same engine as the Audi S3, and some Skoda as well. The TDI engines were shared far and wide across the brands. Parts sharing is quite common across the VW behemoth. Could the Bugatti have the same window switches as my golf? 🤷♀️
A key consideration for the OP is that the battery was bulging. That means there's a chance of damage to other parts - the trackpad and keyboard in particular. That's why Apple replaces the entire top case assembly rather than the battery alone.
Considering that the trackpad and keyboard are mechanical assemblies that are likely to exhibit failures after 7 or 8 years, $200 for a wholesale replacement of battery, trackpad and keyboard, including labor and a 90-day warranty on the job... that's definitely not "gouging." With those parts replaced the useful lifespan of the machine may be extended by a few years or more (although it'll no doubt have OS/software update issues by then).
I've done my share of electronic repairs (including Mac laptops), both as a pro and as a amateur. It can be fun and rewarding, or it can be a headache - in my long experience it has cut both ways. Sometimes I relish the challenge, sometimes I'm happier to let someone else deal with the issue.
The time that can be spent on a one-off DIY repair can be substantial. From studying the service guides to searching for and ordering parts, confirming I have all the tools (and possibly buying some), preparing for and performing the service, cleaning up afterwards... A proper repair shop can do this far more efficiently. Most of the people who boast here about how much money they've saved have not accounted for their time. If it's an enjoyable hobby, great! But not everyone who is encouraged to do it themselves will find it a rewarding experience. Sometimes a job is just a job.
To look at it from another perspective, some people love making home-cooked meals, others prefer going to a restaurant. Others enjoy making home-cooked meals AND going out to restaurants.
This happened to my late 2013 13" MBP last year. I ended up recycling it, BUT one big reason why is that my wife had a 2015 13" just sitting around disused. So it cost me nothing to upgrade to a model two years newer.
If not for that, I'm not sure what I would have done. If you feel Ok about doing it yourself then it's worth the money to give it a shot, but I wasn't going to do it myself due to the need to cut through the glue and the fact that the battery was already in a precarious state. So $199 to Apple to potentially get a few more years out of it... but with a computer that old, you don't know when something else might go wrong.
If not for that, I'm not sure what I would have done. If you feel Ok about doing it yourself then it's worth the money to give it a shot, but I wasn't going to do it myself due to the need to cut through the glue and the fact that the battery was already in a precarious state. So $199 to Apple to potentially get a few more years out of it... but with a computer that old, you don't know when something else might go wrong.
There's a big difference between the 13 and the 15 on the Retina models.
Try this.
Apple MacBook Pro 15" Mid 2014 EMC2876 (A1389) Battery (6 Cells)
Apple MacBook Pro 15
It's a UK-based company. Not sure whether it has a presence in France so 'Brexit taxes' might be problematic.
I bought the same brand of battery for my 2009 MacBook and I don't regret it. I'd recommend this battery brand (2Power) to anyone wanting to replace a vintage computer's battery. There really isn't much else available. The commonly sold options available on Amazon, eBay etc are not worth the money. I believe this will be your best option. (I recommended the same brand of battery to a Russian guy on this forum a while back and he had good results from it, too, last I heard.) It sounds, from reading this thread, that my 2009 MacBook battery was far easier to replace than is the case with the 2014 laptop models. Good luck.
To the OP – glad your own battery replacement efforts succeed.
do you know if they replace the entire top case for the 16inch MacBook pro? what does that involve? new keyboard, new batter?
It should be the same process, the 16 inch MacBook Pro is similar to the retinas in its design, though still slimmer.
The price for battery service for the MacBook Pro 16 is $199. So top case replacement is very likely.
The 2016-2018 15s are apparently considered 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.
Yup. You could always call Apple and ask them (I have 2014 and 2015 Retinas and replaced the batteries in May so it won't be an issue for me again). You can take a look here as well.
Mac Repair and Service - Apple Support
Need to repair your Mac? See your service options, their costs by coverage type, and how long they take.
I got it back today, new top case and battery. I am very happy and it was worth having the shop do it.
Just go to iFixit. It's not nearly as expensive as Apple. It's about as close to dealerproofing your Mac as it gets.
Not sure why you quoted me as I already had the battery replaced by Apple weeks ago so I don’t think I’ll be getting one from ifixit to replace the new Apple one. Lol.
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A 2010 MacBook Pro 13" is extremely easy to repair. The poster has a 2014 MacBook Pro, which is extremely difficult to replace. The Retinas have a well deserved reputation of being difficult to replace the parts.