Vintage Black MacBook pop in battery

[sfphoto]

Replacement options seem to be:

1) Made in China white batteries marketed as new
2) used or NOS Apple batteries presumably from 201x, whenever Apple stopped selling them

(note: Apple provides batteries/repairs for 7 years as do most manufacturers by law and this model MacBook was only made from 06-10)

comments appreciated!

 

[B S Magnet]

Replacement options seem to be:

1) Made in China white batteries marketed as new
2) used or NOS Apple batteries presumably from 201x, whenever Apple stopped selling them

(note: Apple provides batteries/repairs for 7 years as do most manufacturers by law and this model MacBook was only made from 06-10)

comments appreciated!

These, generally, in addition to using an OEM or aftermarket white battery (mismatched aesthetically, but it works), are the only options available now for the A1181 (2006-2009).

 

[theMarble]

These, generally, in addition to using an OEM or aftermarket white battery (mismatched aesthetically, but it works), are the only options available now for the A1181 (2006-2009).

Adding on to that, it should be possible to carefully remove the white plastic cover on the battery and replace it with the black cover from the original cover.

I once had to recycle my 17" MBP's battery as it had turned into a pillow, however I did keep all of its casing. The adhesive that holds them (at least the batteries on the Pro) together is extremely strong and would absolutely hold up when doing something like swapping the covers.

 

[ToniCH]

These, generally, in addition to using an OEM or aftermarket white battery (mismatched aesthetically, but it works), are the only options available now for the A1181 (2006-2009).

I don't know where you guys live but black aftermarket batteries for A1181 are still available in Europe. They are of course chinese but anyways. Bought one last year and I see they are still sold and by at least 2 ebay sellers. Brand names are Green Cell and Patona.

Cannot comment on quality as I use the blackbook so rarely but at least the Green Cell I bought almost (~90%) matches the surface texture and color of the laptop. The one it had when I bought it was gloss black and that was no match at all.

Adding on to that, it should be possible to carefully remove the white plastic cover on the battery and replace it with the black cover from the original cover.

Additionally, one could wrap any battery with vinyl wrap, which are available various colors and textures. I wrapped a Samsung mini laptop years ago with carbon fibre -vinyl wrap and that came out nicely, even though it had many more contours than a battery does. Its not that difficult really, much easier than to transfer battery case/cover to another.

 

[sfphoto]

Thanks for the comments. I started to take apart one of my black OEM packs. The lower cover has 8 screws plus some glue on the connection end.
Inside are 6 flat cells glued to each other and the outside cover - really strong glue. Each cell presumable has 2 wires, so 12 wires meet up at the connection end and are soldered THEN covered with sealant.

My initial thought was to get a $20 aftermarket NEW battery and swap the cells. After finding all the glue I gave up the idea.

Carbon fibre -vinyl wrap does indeed sound promising although the idea of black paint did occur to me (outside cover only). Both methods would assume the aftermarket packs have no status lights w/ switch.

 

[ToniCH]

Doesn't have to be carbon fiber wrap, pretty much all possible textures and colors are available. The common matte black which many cars are wrapped with is quite a good match to the original. But, like I said: black batteries are available to buy so why bother?

 

[GMShadow]

OWC sells the black batteries...

High Capacity Battery For Apple MacBook 13" Black

High capacity 65W battery for Apple MacBook 13" Black MA472LL/A, MA701LL/A, MB063LL/B, MB404LL/A. Model ID# MacBook4,1, MacBook3,2, MacBook2,1, MacBook1,1

eshop.macsales.com

 

[sfphoto]

OWC sells the black batteries...

High Capacity Battery For Apple MacBook 13" Black

High capacity 65W battery for Apple MacBook 13" Black MA472LL/A, MA701LL/A, MB063LL/B, MB404LL/A. Model ID# MacBook4,1, MacBook3,2, MacBook2,1, MacBook1,1

eshop.macsales.com

Yes, thanks I saw those. Cost more than the machine is worth IMO.
Lots of aftermarket black ones shown along with white on fleaBay but none of the US sellers has black.
Got two OEM from fleaBay but neither worked, got refunded and now have more to add to my eWaste box.

At $20 from AMZ I shall get a white one for now and later see about mylar, paint or swapping out the outer cover. There are the lights, switch and foot to consider.