Should I replace my old MacBook Battery?

I happen to know Apple will no longer service that Mac's battery, but you can obtain quality aftermarket batteries from OWC / MacSales.

Having said that, the quality of aftermarket batteries tends to be uneven, but OWC will stand behind their products. Other than Apple (which is no longer an option) I would not consider any other source.

Given that Mac's age, 60% after a few hours is quite good. My similarly aged 2011 MacBook Air is on its second battery (replaced by Apple, when we could still do that) and it's doing about as well.

jmsfmtex wrote:

Thank you for your response. As I have some time on my hands I think I will attempt replacing the battery. If I fail or decide not to replace the battery I will certainly recycle it properly and thanks for the reminder.

It isn’t a battery. It is 6 batteries stuffed into various corners of the MacBook motherboard. They are firmly glued in and hard (and dangerous) to remove. They are in kevlar “pouches”, and if you puncture a pouch it can start a fire that is almost impossible to put out, so don’t do this indoors. You can get kits from several sites with tools, and follow the instructions very carefully.

OWC has an installation video on their product page which you can review as well. And iFixIt tends to have some written guides on their website as well along with pictures for each step of the process.

It is the laptops with the glued in batteries that are a pain.

jmsfmtex wrote:

Thank you for your response. As I have some time on my hands I think I will attempt replacing the battery.

Good luck! You're braver than I.

jmsfmtex wrote:

At my age accidents are not good.

I think most of us in this thread have had that thought!

No, it's not easy to replace the battery. I suspect that if you have to ask, you probably don't have the skills to even attempt it. (No judgement. I certainly couldn't do it.)

You should be able to continue using it while it's plugged in as long as the battery isn't swelling and distorting the computer.

If you do decide to get rid of it, be sure to recycle it properly. Apple and many other electronics retailers will take it.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

jmsfmtex wrote:

Thank you for your response. As I have some time on my hands I think I will attempt replacing the battery. If I fail or decide not to replace the battery I will certainly recycle it properly and thanks for the reminder.

It isn’t a battery. It is 6 batteries stuffed into various corners of the MacBook motherboard. They are firmly glued in and hard (and dangerous) to remove. They are in kevlar “pouches”, and if you puncture a pouch it can start a fire that is almost impossible to put out, so don’t do this indoors. You can get kits from several sites with tools, and follow the instructions very carefully.

That is only the 2018+ models of the MacBook Air where the battery is glued (and all the Retina model MBPros).

The OP has a 2011 MBAir where the battery swap is relatively easy....the hardest part is disconnecting the battery cable from the Logic Board.....sometimes that can be very tight. Otherwise, no adhesive involved. Battery is anchored with 5 screws.

Check out OWCs excellent video to see how to replace the battery. If it doesn’t look daunting to you, give it a shot. FWIW, I have a 2011 on its 3rd battery and it is in use every day. They are mini tanks.

I have one in daily use as well. I'm using it now. If and when its battery becomes intolerable I might replace it with one from OWC. For now its (second, Apple) battery lasts the several hours a day I generally require of any portable Mac.

It's even been left out in the rain. Twice. Can't seem to kill these things.

Replacing the battery on that model MacBook Air is relatively straightforward. Just don't do anything dumb. Lots of people come here seeking advice, only after it's too late.