MacBook Pro 2019 - Battery expanding... options?

[whyrichard]

Hello all,


I'm in a crossroads with my Mac situation, and seek advice.

My main computer currently is a MacBook Pro, 13", from 2019. I have been using it primarily for a desktop, and so the battery unfortunately has taken a dive (3 years an one month beyond the purchase date.... and so a month outside of apple care!), and just today I noticed when needing to use it as a laptop, the bottom has developed a bulge.... the battery is expanding??

So, I wonder.... how best to cheaply replace the battery?

I was thinking of getting a new Mac mini to use as my primary, and moving my laptop to to serve as my music server.... but now I feel I can't do that without addressing the battery, is it a fire issue? Can I somehow remove the battery and use my laptop plugged in?


Thanks,
Richard

 

[Bigwaff]

Check. You might be able to renew AC+ and get battery replaced.

About the purchase date or expiration date for your AppleCare agreement - Apple Support

If you want to update information in our records about your purchase or agreement, we’re here to help.

support.apple.com

If battery expanding, it is fire hazard so need replaced. Pretty sure later model MBP do not boot with out battery installed.

 

[dpny]

If you live with decent distance of an Apple Store, they replaced the battery on my 2018 MBP for about US$300 a couple years ago.

 

[wilkyconsultants]

I went with a mac mini with a ups as my box runs 7x24x365 processing icloud location data. I had it on a MBP 2015 15" and the battery bulged. Costs more to replace the battery than a used computer.

 

[0423MAC]

If you can safely remove the battery at no cost I would do that and just sell it for parts to subsidize a much newer machine. Preferably Apple Silicon of course if you plan to go with another Mac. I suppose you could also sell it WITH the battery still installed, but locally. I wouldn't ship a laptop in that condition.

I usually recommend people replace parts if machines are still useful, but in the case with Apple and an architecture they have moved away from you are just throwing money into the past. Unless you are planning to jump to linux which is a very viable option (I still run a 2008 MacBook)

 

[FreakinEurekan]

If you can renew AC+ and get the battery replaced for "Free" (other than the cost of AC+) I'd do that.

Otherwise - time to move up to Apple Silicon.

 

[Fishrrman]

We don't know where in the world you are.

In the USA, you could probably get the battery replaced at most Apple Stores (genius bar) with a new, Apple-labeled battery.

I believe the cost is now $249. For that you get:
- Apple labeled OEM battery
- Installation
- A short warranty.

If you intend to keep it for another year or two, might be worth it.

You DON'T want to keep using a Mac with a swollen battery -- it can be a fire hazard.

There is a remote chance (probably very "remote") that Apple would replace the swollen battery for less. You need to make an appt at the genius bar (if one is close) and bring it in.

Another option:
After 5 years, you might consider one of the new m4 or m4pro MacBook Pros.
Or, perhaps a closeout m3pro, or perhaps Apple-refurbished...