13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement Program

Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by guessmyname on Saturday April 21, 2018 @02:42AM (#16890267)

I entered my computer's serial number, but it's unclear if it is affected or not:

> The serial number you entered is not eligible under this program because either:

> • It's not in the affected serial number range.

> • Our records show that your battery has already been replaced.

> • Our records show it's no longer eligible for a free replacement under this program.

> If you have questions, please contact Apple.

If even they don't know which one of these three options apply to the serial number that I have, what hope is there to guarantee that my computer will not explode in front of my face while I am working? I bought mine during the time frame mentioned in this page, custom built (upgraded RAM and disk capacity), and never had taken it to an Apple store for repair (which means, option #2 doesn't applies). I wish there was a better way to double check if option #1 or option #3 apply to my device, other than scheduling an appointment with their "Genius Bar" which usually takes several days.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by tedeh on Saturday April 21, 2018 @04:55AM (#16890594)

My Macbook Pro has custom upgrades (RAM and disk) and it IS eligible for the replacement program according to the form.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by madeofpalk on Saturday April 21, 2018 @07:48AM (#16891061)

I mean, the page itself states that the battery just expands and poses no safety risk.

Even if you were affected, it wouldn’t explode in your face.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by coatmatter on Saturday April 21, 2018 @07:50AM (#16891067)

Metal unibody (or thereabouts) - much sturdier than smartphones that "explode".

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by falcolas on Saturday April 21, 2018 @09:53AM (#16891419)

LiPo Batteries expand because they're being charged/discharged incorrectly. Batteries burn because they're being charged/discharged incorrectly.

"poses no safety risk" is a fairly high standard when discussing incorrect battery management.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by madeofpalk on Saturday April 21, 2018 @01:56PM (#16892412)

And after the whole exploding Samsung Galaxy Note thing, and Apple’s extremely high status, I doubt they’re taking chances here when making such a claim.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by jakecopp on Saturday April 21, 2018 @03:40AM (#16890403)

Maybe they do know but they won't tell you which option?

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by natch on Saturday April 21, 2018 @10:24AM (#16891522)

They just announced this program, so it’s unclear how #3 would apply to you. That leaves #1 as the only sensible remaining option.

If that’s not enough, you could try Apple support. They have many options short of Genius bar. Email, chat, phone, and the Support app. Maybe one of those will help.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by mrgordon on Saturday April 21, 2018 @03:06AM (#16890333)

Same. Thinking the custom built ones may not be affected.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by ajeet_dhaliwal on Saturday April 21, 2018 @03:41AM (#16890411)

Mine was also custom built and I get the same message (not eligible) - hopefully that is a good thing.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by malloryerik on Saturday April 21, 2018 @04:17AM (#16890481)

The same here.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by coatmatter on Saturday April 21, 2018 @07:49AM (#16891064)

I can't guarantee that your phone won't do the same thing tomorrow, however I did try that form despite having my battery (or rather, the whole top case) recently replaced - not for an expanding battery (as far as I could tell), but faulty battery life nonetheless. I got the same message that you got.

Maybe think of it in terms of aeroplane engines - do you go for the latest and greatest, or the tried and tested? How can you be sure that a replacement battery won't be worse after x weeks?

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by appleflaxen on Saturday April 21, 2018 @09:03AM (#16891282)

OP isn't asking for a guarantee. S/he is asking to know whether s/he has a device that is known to be at higher risk, or if s/he has an unaffected device.

You are responding to a straw man of "I want a guarantee that my device will never fail"

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by coatmatter on Sunday April 22, 2018 @09:18AM (#16896032)

I was responding to "...what hope is there to guarantee that my computer will not explode in front of my face while I am working?". I'm struggling to see how it's a straw man argument but very well, I'll accept it. Contacting Apple is probably the only option now - we can't help.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by fanpuns on Saturday April 21, 2018 @03:23AM (#16890370)

Just another anecdata point, I have the same upgrades for one bought in the timeframe and got the same message.

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Re:13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement P... by uh_what on Saturday April 21, 2018 @03:29AM (#16890381)

I bought a custom built machine and my serial # was denied as well.

Got in touch with support and they claimed that the manufacture date was outside the applicable range (doesn't make any sense since it's custom built). Will have to escalate to someone higher up since it seems that the lower level staff aren't even aware of this program yet.

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