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NewtoMac4

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 31, 2016
12
11
Virginia
Bought a new 14" MacBook Pro from Best Buy. New factory sealed and was shipped to me. The first day the battery had 12 cycles is this considered normal or should I be concerned?
 

BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032
12 is a little high. My M1 MBP 16 had 3 and I bought mine straight from Apple (sealed).

I wouldn't worry about it. Most of my MBPs that I've gotten from Apple have usually had at least 3 cycles on the battery. Only one had 0.

Edit: I just checked my records - most of the MBPs I got had at least 3 cycles on them, 1 had 0, and my 16' MBP had 3. Not 6-7 like I thought.
 

Misheemee

macrumors 6502
Feb 28, 2020
374
333
I had 0 when I bought mine. 12 is a bit high and I would return/exchange unless I got a really nice discount on it - then I would keep it
 

BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032

1659987016120.png


I wouldn't worry too much about 12 cycles. Even if I had gotten one with 12, I'd just AppleCare+ it and use it. Just me though. If it bothers you, can't hurt to ask Apple about it and see what they'll do for you.
 

NewtoMac4

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 31, 2016
12
11
Virginia
Did purchase with a $300 discount but I would think an exchange would not effect price.
I have another couple weeks to return or exchange from Best Buy.
 

Misheemee

macrumors 6502
Feb 28, 2020
374
333

View attachment 2040568

I wouldn't worry too much about 12 cycles. Even if I had gotten one with 12, I'd just AppleCare+ it and use it. Just me though. If it bothers you, can't hurt to ask Apple about it and see what they'll do for you.
For me, it's mores about 12 cycles saying somebody tried it out and returned it, not necessarily about the battery longevity. I bought a used M1 MBA with 8 cycles on it and didn't think twice about it - but I paid a used price for it.
 

BeatCrazy

macrumors 603
Jul 20, 2011
5,125
4,487
Did purchase with a $300 discount but I would think an exchange would not effect price.
I have another couple weeks to return or exchange from Best Buy.
You realize that if you exchange it, you'll get another "new" one, with 2 cycles on it... that will eventually have some catastrophic failure right after warranty/AC+ expires, right?
 
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Misheemee

macrumors 6502
Feb 28, 2020
374
333
Did purchase with a $300 discount but I would think an exchange would not effect price.
I have another couple weeks to return or exchange from Best Buy.
might be worth a call to best buy to see if you can get a further discount? (and keep it if all is well)
 

NewtoMac4

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 31, 2016
12
11
Virginia
For me, it's mores about 12 cycles saying somebody tried it out and returned it, not necessarily about the battery longevity. I bought a used M1 MBA with 8 cycles on it and didn't think twice about it - but I paid a used price for it.
Did ship to me in an Apple shipping box with the center pull tab. The computer box sealed with the side pull tab.
 
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Misheemee

macrumors 6502
Feb 28, 2020
374
333
Did ship to me in an Apple shipping box with the center pull tab. The computer box sealed with the side pull tab.
I bought my 14" MBP on 10 March 2022, have been using it consistently (for personal use) since then - just checked my battery cycles and I'm on 16 cycles (I don't leave it on charge - I just charge when it needs it, and use it).

Do whatever you're comfortable with 😊 My thoughts are it wouldn't hurt to call best buy and get a few additional dollars back in your pocket and put it towards AppleCare for your Mac. Alternatively give Apple a call, explain the situation and see what they can do (If anything). The worst they can say is "no"😉
 

AgeOfSpiracles

macrumors 6502
May 29, 2020
478
856
While I wouldn't be worried about 3 or 6 or even 12 cycles in and of itself (what's 12 over the 1000 cycle lifetime), it does seem sketchy for a supposedly brand new product. 12 cycles is quite a lot of use... many hours of charging and discharging. Seems pretty unlikely unless it was used. I'd ask the vendor for sure.
 

NewtoMac4

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 31, 2016
12
11
Virginia
can you also check the SSD age, that will give you an idea if it was actually used & returned,
brew install smartmontools smartctl -a disk1s2
I do know the age of the battery which was manufactured April 18, 2022 so less than 4 months old.
May call Apple to see what their take on this is. Thanks
 
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NewtoMac4

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 31, 2016
12
11
Virginia
As a follow up talked to Apple and they say that this is normal(surprise) and the maximum capacity
is at 100% so I should be fine.
 

minik

macrumors demi-god
Jun 25, 2007
2,212
1,744
somewhere
I preordered the 14" MacBook Pro last year and received on the first week of November. I recalled the battery cycle count was 0 or 1. However there was a bright spot on the display, I had to bring it to the Apple Store for a replacement. The new replacement unit came in 10 days, I checked the battery cycle and it was 7. It's a BTO unit, I doubt somebody returned it at that time.
 
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emraha06

macrumors 6502
Dec 1, 2017
285
70
I preordered the 14" MacBook Pro last year and received on the first week of November. I recalled the battery cycle count was 0 or 1. However there was a bright spot on the display, I had to bring it to the Apple Store for a replacement. The new replacement unit came in 10 days, I checked the battery cycle and it was 7. It's a BTO unit, I doubt somebody returned it at that time.

did you return it?
 
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