I've had my MB Pro for about two years. I had the battery replaced one week out of warranty a little less than a year ago, because the notebook would just shut down without warning with 25% charge left. It has now started doing this again. It seems like poor customer service to force me to buy another battery for the same reason the first one failed, since clearly either something is wrong with my computer, or the batteries are just crap.

Can I argue with Apple Care to give me a new battery, or should I just get one from FastMac?

 

Chances are, something is wrong with the way you're using it. Apple, like every laptop maker, has had battery issues come up over the years, and all have been handled via a warranty recall.

Check the label on the top of your battery. If it's a model A1175 and the serial number ends in U7SA, U7SB or U7SC, then you get a free replacement.

If your battery is not in that range, check the health of it via system profiler. Click the Apple logo on the menu bar, select "about this mac" and click the "more info" button. Then click "power" from the "hardware" menu. Things to care about are the cycle count and condition. If the condition is "check battery" you likely haven't been charging it properly. Likewise, if you have over 300 charge cycles, the battery may be worn out. (I've been using the same battery for ~3 years and I have ~50 charge cycles)

First try calibrating the battery.

If that doesn't work, take the battery to an Apple store and have them test it for you.

Lithium batteries do not like being in a steady state of charge for prolonged periods. If you always use the machine with it plugged in, you will decrease the battery's capacity and life. You should completely discharge and then recharge your battery at least once a month.

 

Awesome post Simba, thanks.

My battery has about 120 cycles but it says check battery. Also, if it's fully charged and I disconnect the power adapter it dies within 10-15 minutes, but the battery display before it dies says it's at 90%. Any idea? Do I just need a new battery?? If so, which one can I buy with the most capacity and do I have to buy from Apple store?

Thanks for the help!

 

Try calibrating it per the link in my previous post. If it still won't hold a charge, it may be shot. I don't believe anyone else makes batteries for the Macbooks, but regardless, you only want to use an Apple battery.

 

Yikes, I've had mine about 1.5 years and am at 312 cycles. Haven't had any issues though with holding charge, etc. Never really realized there is a proper way to charge (ie discharge, charge) as I usually leave it plugged in while on my desk. I guess I will make a point to do it the right way from now on.

Where would it state the condition as "check battery?"

 

System Profiler under "Power".

 

Hey Simba, any thoughts about these batteries? Apparently they're extended capacity but do you think it would be better to buy apple??

Battery, Rechargeable: MacBook Pro 15, TruePower - FastMac

 

The same crap has happened to me for the last ~4 months. I still have 50% charge left according to the battery icon and then *pop* -> black screen...

My battery has had 155 charge cycles.