Apple to replace 17-inch MacBook Pro batteries in stores

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  • Reply 41 of 44
    cnocbuicnocbui Posts: 3,613member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Abster2core View Post


    I am not sure what your problem is.



    First of all sflocal ended his comment with, "Honestly, this is a non-issue for the majority percentage of users. Stop spinning this subject to be bigger than it really is." So your comments to him seem overkill.



    I don't have a 'problem', as you put it, I have opinions based on my life experiences that happen to differ from yours and others. The 'problem' lies with certain sycophants who do not seem to be able to deal with opinions that run contrary to the gospel, according to St Steve.



    My comments were proportionate to his unsubstantiated assertion, to wit, that it 'is a non issue for the majority of users'. The intrinsic difficiencies of Li-ion mean that the reverse is more likely to be true - in fact.



    My reply was not just addressed to his statement, but was also in response to the several others in the thread I happen to disagree with.



    Quote:

    Secondly, you seem to think that you won't be able to replace the battery yourself. Based on your contended 'mechanical' abilities, it would appear that a few 'watch-maker' screw drivers in your boot would suffice.



    Do I? You must have missed the bit where I said:



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cnocbui View Post


    The fact I could DIY a battery replacement does not diminish the fact of the hassle involved or that sealing such batteries away should be regarded as a technically deficient design decision.



    Quote:

    Thirdly, I don't contend that you don't or didn't, but Apple has well documented battery care, storage and calibration direction documents that for the life of me, are well pointed out but rarely followed.



    Did you miss the bit about Li-Ion batteries capacity declining 20% annually if you just sit and look at them, never mind actually use them in real life?
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  • Reply 42 of 44
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,179member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Abster2core View Post


    I am not sure what your problem is.



    First of all sflocal ended his comment with, "Honestly, this is a non-issue for the majority percentage of users. Stop spinning this subject to be bigger than it really is." So your comments to him seem overkill.



    Secondly, you seem to think that you won't be able to replace the battery yourself. Based on your contended 'mechanical' abilities, it would appear that a few 'watch-maker' screw drivers in your boot would suffice.



    Thirdly, I don't contend that you don't or didn't, but Apple has well documented battery care, storage and calibration direction documents that for the life of me, are well pointed out but rarely followed.



    Apparently, he seemed to believe he was part of the "majority" group I referred to. In any setting, there is always a minority it will not apply to. I do know there are others that need replacement options. One of my laptops (a Sony Vaio I still in use) is almost 10 years old and the battery is pretty much dead so that I can only use it while plugged in. It's removable but no one sells them anymore. That is "normally" what happens when technology changes and no one wants to continue manufacturing and keeping in stock batteries that may never well be sold in quantity to make it profitable since the laptop makers change a design and the battery no longer fits in an older model.



    In my 20+ years as a system admin, most laptop users move from place to place and keep their laptops plugged in constantly and never unplug them. Others that do stay relatively mobile end up wearing out the machines so that even when the batteries are gone, a newer model is used and the old one is retired. 2, 3, 4 years later... whatever.



    I'm very mobile and I use my MBA on the road constantly. I never worry about a dead battery since in my line of work, I'm always near a power receptacle. Not at any point did I decide that the fixed battery would be an issue. I'm very good at opening up systems so if/when that time comes, I'll do it myself. I hold no anger and ill-contempt with Apple in doing this. The advantages and design outweighed it for me.



    If (like some people) have to work in some African jungle and live in a Zulu hut for months on end with only the town idiot riding a stationary bike to supply electricity to the village, well then I will make sure I pay him a little extra so that I can record my HD video and audio-streams to post on YouTube.



    If you're in the minority, the answer is obvious. If the fixed-battery is that much of an issue and you're not willing to wait a day (or send it in) to replace the battery or open it up yourself, then honestly the machine was not made for you. It's okay. Life goes on.
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  • Reply 43 of 44
    Every Laptop that I have owned has needed a battery replacement. Sometimes multiple replacements.



    Usually my battery needs easily fall in the charge time of the normal battery life, but occasionally I take long trips. Not once has the airplane had a power port for my computer. That is four different airline companies.



    My real complaint is why should Apple decide for me. Why not have a model with replacement batteries and one without. Or a separate battery that plugs in externally. It could charge any of Apple?s products, including iPods and iPhones.



    I recently had to use three batteries. The power was out for eight hours.
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  • Reply 44 of 44
    A battery that gives 40% more runtime than what's out there... AND lasts over three times as long before needing replacement? Oh man, keep that stuff away from me!!



    So, it's now up to Apple to live up to those promises. But assuming they do, I really can't see the logic behind the complaints -- this would easily be better than anything you have ever used. If it turns out to be smoke and mirrors, then complain. By making it internal and advertising such improved characteristics, I think Apple must be fairly confident.



    Battery life is heavily influenced by charge methodology. Methods including individual cell monitoring and per-cell charging adaptation are part of the solution. This is used in the Tesla Roadster, for example. I find Apple's claims to be plausible.



    For those few who truly can't "put up with" a single 8-hour battery, there are certainly solutions, including external battery packs, that already exist.



    And as previously mentioned, DIY replacement is likely to be a viable option.
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