MBP mid 2014 battery replacement

[circatee]

Has anyone here, had the battery replaced on their MBP? Mine is now stating a service, i.e. a battery replacement is needed.
Did you do the replacement yourself, or had someone do it for you?

 

[pshufd]

I had mine done at the local Apple Store for both 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pros back in Spring 2021.

 

[circatee]

I had mine done at the local Apple Store for both 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pros back in Spring 2021.

Relatively simple process? Also, do they do it while you wait, or?

 

[pshufd]

Relatively simple process? Also, do they do it while you wait, or?

They were done over the weekend as they had to order the batteries.

I guess that they are seeing fewer battery replacements for the Retina models.

The amount of time depends on the capabilities of the Apple Store, how busy they are and whether or not they have them in stock. My local store apparently has a third-shift of tech support folks as I've had overnight service there.

 

[Jozone]

Cost is $199 USD @ Apple Retail, and took about a week when I did it 3 weeks ago.

 

[Fishrrman]

The best way is to take it to an Apple Store and have them do it.
For $199 you get:
- an Apple-labeled OEM battery
- installation (if anything goes wrong, THEY fix it)
- a short warranty.

You may have to be without it for a few days.
It will be worth the wait.

 

[MBAir2010]

Those 2014 MBP batteries were difficult to replace.
we did a couple that took 2 hours with heating a microwave pad to release the glue.
just removing everything was a chore as well.

that "service battery" is very misleading.
I am typing on my Macbook Air 2010 with 83% battery left and no fan noise.
the battery was never better.

 

[circatee]

Those 2014 MBP batteries were difficult to replace.
we did a couple that took 2 hours with heating a microwave pad to release the glue.
just removing everything was a chore as well.

that "service battery" is very misleading.
I am typing on my Macbook Air 2010 with 83% battery left and no fan noise.
the battery was never better.

Oh, where can I see the percentage? Thanks

 

[MBAir2010]

the top menu bar
make sure in system Pref-Energy saver-Show battery in menu bar is checked.

 

[circatee]

the top menu bar
make sure in system Pref-Energy saver-Show battery in menu bar is checked.

Oops, my mistake. I thought your percentage was the lifespan of the battery for your laptop. You know, similar to what people do on their iPhones, before they take it in for a battery change.

Thanks

 

[Diablo360]

If it says service battery but still works and isnt bloated I would just keep using it. What’s the mAh that’s left?

 

[circatee]

If it says service battery but still works and isnt bloated I would just keep using it. What’s the mAh that’s left?

Sorry, not sure what mAh is. However, from a cycles perspective, it is at 996. I actually need to Google what is classified as a 'battery cycle'...

 

[Diablo360]

Sorry, not sure what mAh is. However, from a cycles perspective, it is at 996. I actually need to Google what is classified as a 'battery cycle'...

It’s the value labeled as “full charge capacity (mAh)” which is a few lines above the “cycle count”

This value shows the remaining strength of the battery. If this number is above 5000 you can still use the laptop on battery charge for good 1-2 hours

 

[wilberforce]

I actually need to Google what is classified as a 'battery cycle'...

The number of charge cycles, at least how Apple interprets it, is the total aggregate percentages discharged. So discharging 75% one day (and recharging), then discharging 25% the next day (and recharging) counts as one charge cycle.
The fact that one discharge of 100% is more damaging that two discharges of 50% is ignored; both are counted as one charge cycle.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Quit the hemmin' and hawin' ...
Just make the appointment with Apple and have them do it.
You won't do any better than that...

 

[circatee]

It’s the value labeled as “full charge capacity (mAh)” which is a few lines above the “cycle count”

This value shows the remaining strength of the battery. If this number is above 5000 you can still use the laptop on battery charge for good 1-2 hours

Ah, thanks for the info. Currently at 5501...

 

[circatee]

OP:

Quit the hemmin' and hawin' ...
Just make the appointment with Apple and have them do it.
You won't do any better than that...

LOL!

Researching a refurbished Intel model, or a MBA M1. Since I have a Windows PC close by, not 100% sure I need an Intel version.

Thus, currently in 'thinking' mode.

 

[herb2k]

The best way is to take it to an Apple Store and have them do it.
For $199 you get:
- an Apple-labeled OEM battery
- installation (if anything goes wrong, THEY fix it)
- a short warranty.

You may have to be without it for a few days.
It will be worth the wait.

Ditto to that - Apple will make it right.

I had mine replaced in 2020, they also ended up replacing the logic board and screen at the same time. So it's a new machine.

 

[circatee]

They also ended up replacing the logic board and screen at the same time. So it's a new machine.

Were said items changed just because or were you experiencing issues with those items, too?

 

[herb2k]

Were said items changed just because or were you experiencing issues with those items, too?

No issues with the machine at all. Their staff said there were some other damages during replacement (supposedly the techs shorted out the screen and logic board during repair), so everything was replaced.

My screen was also one of the 'staingate' ones - the replacement was new.

FWIW - battery replacements are typically "top case and keyboard" when Apple does them. They don't try to separate the glued battery packs in store... So at a minimum the touchpad, keyboard and casing are new.

 

[circatee]

No issues with the machine at all. Their staff said there were some other damages during replacement (supposedly the techs shorted out the screen and logic board during repair), so everything was replaced.

My screen was also one of the 'staingate' ones - the replacement was new.

FWIW - battery replacements are typically "top case and keyboard" when Apple does them. They don't try to separate the glued battery packs in store... So at a minimum the touchpad, keyboard and casing are new.

Thanks for the feedback. Since I have a Windows PC close, am considering merely upgrading this MBP mid-2014, to an M1 MBA. If I do not upgrade, I will arrange the battery replacement.