Friend's Experience with Apple MacBook Pro Warranty

[geokilla]

http://glamorousgamergirls.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/the-problem-with-the-macbook-warranty-battery-replacement/#comment-1374

So for all you Apple worshippers... This ever happen to you? I myself recently bought a refurbished iPad 2 and got it exchanged for a brand new unit because it was defective. However, that was because I got it exchanged within 30 days or so of the purchase date. I either had the option of returning it to the Apple store, or they give me a brand new one. Needless to say, they gave me a brand new one as it's less troublesome for the both of us.

I wonder if anyone on RFD knows my friends that run the blog...

[xalex0]

Lithium batteries must not be deep cycled. So the battery is most likely not defective - your friend probably has killed it via improper usage. However, if there were no instructions on how to perform charging, that would be irrelevant, and the battery should be replaced under warranty.

And in the end, I would consider any customer service experience a good one if you walk away with what you wanted.

[DaLurker]

Your friend has unfortunately been misled about how to "condition" a Lithium ion battery. As xalex0 said, these batteries are not mean to be deep cycle. Ie leave it plugged in and top it off.

Furthermore your friend needs to understand, that by definition warranty only applies to defective parts. Warranty is not like insurance; Warranty is a guarantee from the manufacturer that the part they made will last as certain amount of time. Buying extended warranty means they'll guarantee the integrity of their product for a longer period of time against defects.

As for the battery concern specifically, Apple could be a little clearer in stating the expected life of the battery since obviously it isn't a time only concern. Perhaps something like what car manufacturers do (3 years or 450 cycle, whichever comes first) would be appropriate.

In the end, your friend got a replacement battery out of it. Hopefully going forwards he understands that the battery is a wear item (just like brake pads) that have a finite life. Eventually it needs to be replaced, and overuse will decrease the time the part lasts.

[Zelig]

As for the battery concern specifically, Apple could be a little clearer in stating the expected life of the battery since obviously it isn't a time only concern. Perhaps something like what car manufacturers do (3 years or 450 cycle, whichever comes first) would be appropriate.

Apple is pretty clear.

"The built-in battery of your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air is designed to deliver up to 1000 full charge and discharge cycles before it reaches 80 percent of its original capacity."

"Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time."

"Apple recommends charging and discharging its battery at least once per month."

http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

[Mars2012]

I'm not sure about other Apple devices, but I recalibrate the battery for my MBP every month or two. To do this, you let it run completely out of charge (where it puts itself to sleep), then you leave it for five hours or more, then you plug in and charge fully. When it does the auto-shutdown, you will lose whatever you are working on, so make sure to save when you get the low battery warning. I never leave my devices plugged in all the time.

[xalex0]

Apple is pretty clear.

"The built-in battery of your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air is designed to deliver up to 1000 full charge and discharge cycles before it reaches 80 percent of its original capacity."

"Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time."

"Apple recommends charging and discharging its battery at least once per month."

http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

The quote is out of context:


An ideal use would be a commuter who uses her notebook on the train, then plugs it in at the office to charge. This keeps the battery juices flowing. If on the other hand, you use a desktop computer at work, and save a notebook for infrequent travel, Apple recommends charging and discharging its battery at least once per month.





I recalibrate the battery for my MBP every month or two.Which would give you around 10 cycles per year, i.e. well under the expected maximum of 150.

[Mark77]

Yeah sounds like the person in question was basically charging her battery, and then unplugging it, running on battery, and then running back to charge. Many times a day. No wonder she racked up the cycles! Laptops should be kept plugged in as much as possible, and only occasionally used off the wall power. And of course, cycle severity is going to reduce battery life.

Most people wouldn't buy a laptop simply to leave it parked on a desk literally all the time -- but in those cases, of course, a discharge/cycle charge is needed periodically simply to verify continued operation of the battery for an occasion when it is needed.

[number8888]

The writer got a battery replacement in the end and still complains. Other companies would have just flat-out deny her and send her home ...