Is my brand new MBA 13" Ultimate used?

[kazmac]

Hi everyone,

I tried to MRoogle this topic (I've seen it before...but just couldn't find any posts on the subject) so apologies for this post.

I believe my brand new MBA 13" ultimate may be a refurb based on the coconut battery load cycle results.

This "brand new" MBA 13" Ultimate was purchased sealed at the 5th Avenue Apple store tonight.

I ran coconut battery after my first charge a few minutes ago, the load cycles are at 9!!!

Was I sold a refurb for new?

Are there any other ways I can find out if this was indeed a reconditioned refurb MBA?

I'm running the hardware test now.

I do not want to pay full price for a refurb, and would appreciate any advice to exchange this for another MBA tomorrow morning. I'm not sure showing them coconut battery and my receipt will be enough for them to swap.

Thanks!

> I found one more thread about the 9 load cycles but I don't think this person bought it from the Apple store.

So should I just show them coconut battery results tomorrow morning?

 

[GGJstudios]

Are there any other ways I can find out if this was indeed a reconditioned refurb MBA?

Refurb models have a serial number that identifies them as such.

So should I just show them coconut battery results tomorrow morning?

Yes, or show them the same information in System Profiler.

 

[KPOM]

What does "About this Mac" show? Click on the Apple menu, select "About this Mac" and click on Power. It will tell you how many cycles it has been through. If it's more than 1, take it back to Apple ASAP so you can show them (before it's physically possible to have done those cycles yourself).

 

[feeth]

I just received a 13" refurb today, here is what mine says:

 

[calvol]

I only had 3 cycles on my 13 UMBA refurb.

 

[Scottsdale]

That coconut battery is a joke. Don't allow that to determine or mean anything to you. The battery cycle count is an average. There is no perfect reading as it's just giving an average. At 100 cycles it's more accurate of an average how it works.

Btw, if you want Apple's reading go into the system profiler and see what OS X reports. No gimmicky crapware, just OS X reporting its cycle count.

 

[GGJstudios]

That coconut battery is a joke. Don't allow that to determine or mean anything to you. The battery cycle count is an average. There is no perfect reading as it's just giving an average. At 100 cycles it's more accurate of an average how it works.

Btw, if you want Apple's reading go into the system profiler and see what OS X reports. No gimmicky crapware, just OS X reporting its cycle count.

Actually, the battery count is an exact number. It's the health that's an estimate. Also, coconut battery reports the same cycle count found in System Profiler.

 

[Satori]

Some machines will have a few cycles on them if they have been extensively examined as part of quality control procedures during manufacturing. These few cycles won't affect the long-term health of your battery.

However, if you are at all concerned, just exchange it. In my experience the Apple Store is always ready to exchange if there is any sort of reasonable concern.

 

[kazmac]

thank you all so much

Guys and girls ? thank you very much for responding so quickly.

In system profiler it does show 9 cycles.

Screenshot taken to show the 5th avenue store this morning.

Every other lap top I've tried in the past 2 weeks has had 0 cycles.

I understand testing may be done, but after my first 13" ultimate air had 98% battery capacity to start with, I'm not exactly trusting of this particular store with this configuration of MBA.

I'm twitchy about refurbs given my awful experiences with iMacs last year.

So thanks for the rapid responses.

I love this forum.

 

[TheXFactor]

The refurb I bought last week had 1 battery cycle and it (coconut) showed the air as 1 week old.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

My new 11" Air showed 0 weeks old and 1 load cycle (CTO, ordered from online Apple store) when I initially opened the box. 99% capacity to start with though (my Early 2008 Pro came with over 100% capacity lol).

I'd exchange it if I were you.

 

[kazmac]

It was sorted thank you again everyone

I was so furious last night, I was tempted to return everything for a refund this morning.

However, the advice/posts here convinced me to push for the exchange.

I got another 13" Ultimate Air > 0 cycles, same week build as the previous.

The specialist I dealt with at the register gave me the blow off answer of "every laptop has some charge cycles on it."

I swallowed the blue meanie inside, remaining polite.

"Really? Then how come every other non 13" Air I've tried in the past 2 weeks had 0 load cycles?"

He was pissed but tried to hide it.

He would not look at the system preferences or the screenshot, so I kept pressing him politely. He finally agreed to an exchange and then tried to hold $20 off the Education Discount for the 13" Ultimate ($70 btw).

I pushed him on that too.

Finally, replacement in hand, another really nice specialist helped me go through the Macbook Air to ensure it was fine.

I showed this specialist the screenshot. His comment: "That's weird. For the money you're paying you shouldn't have any loadcycles on it."

If this were a refurb machine, this wouldn't be an issue.

So thank you everyone. I've had enough back and forths with Apple now to last me for several years.

The patience, tips and advice on this board makes being a Mac user even more worth while.

3rd time is the charm.