Battery Self Discharge Issues- Late 2013 13"MBPro Retina

Well - I have not heard about any one even measuring the self discharge rates. So much so the Service centre here does not even understand the concept of self discharge! THey ran thier standard diagnostics and gave the laptop bak to me proclaiming there is nothing wrong with it! I tried expalining the issue, showing them the screenshots etc.... But htey refused to budge - if it does not show in the diagnostics they wont do anything!

I have asked for a replacemnt - my laptop is just three days old. It came to me with the issue - no way I will accept a 'repaired' machine. THe funny part is even the reseller understands the issue - I even demonstrated a 10% battery drop while doing something as simple as emptying 300 files from the TRASH bin! Unfortunately they claim they cant do anythign unless the service centre certifies the issue! So I'm stuck!

Apple service and warranty is very funny. Everyone I spoke to at Apple support stated 'had I purchased it directly from them then they would have happily replaced it - but since I bought this from an Authorised Reseller, I am bound by the reseller's policy! People at Apple USA seem a different breed altogether - extremely helpful! They acknowledgedI have an issue and need to get a replacement - but giventhe geography, they want me to talk to the designated support for this region. UAE is handled by a telecalling team sitting in IRELAND - who are not as helpful - they keep saying take it to the reseller. The reseller says take it to the service centre... who says speak to Apple and give me the Ireland number. I have been going around in circles ! 😟

I have learnt my lesson - I will never buy any Apple product from anyone other than their ONLINE STORE (we dont have an Apple Store here)!

Unlike some parts of the world, here if you buy a product you are stuck with it! There is no return policy. You will have to depend on the company's warranty policy. I am extremely hassled that I am being kicked around. I have bought an Apple product - not a reseller's branded one. Apple has decided to appoint them as authorised resellers and even have them listed on thier website. I see no justification in warranty policies being different. Why should anyone who has bought thru a reseller be treated as a second rate customer??

What is strong however is the consumer forum - which gives you a decision in 48 hrs!

The store I bought from has their in-house 7 day return policy - subject to a 15% restocking fee. I have already returned the product with a followup mail that if they cant give me a replacement, then I'd like my money back! Its their job to fight with Apple and thier nonsensical policies!

Is there an escalation matrix with Apple Support?

Okay - its confirmed - its a design defect! Whetehr apple will go on to call it that remains to be seen - will involve issues of recall etc

I have now gone thru THREE replacement laptops - ALL of which had this issue in varying degrees. The latest one I was losing battery charge at the rate of 450mAh per day!

LocalApple support has achlowledged this to be a problem , albiet saying they will have to 'investigate' it to see which of the following is the reason - The OS, the Logic board, or the battry pack itself.

I am waiting to see what they revert wtih. In the interim it onto repalcement #4!

I have it on authority that it is NOT normal. Normal booting process takes about 9 seconds - no way that is going to consume 1% of battery under any circumstance!

Please read up on Lithium Polymer battery properties. You will find that the self discharge rates are 1-2% a month!

Why, normal NiCad batteries retain their charge for a year - Camellion batteries promise 80% charge end of a year.

I have chat transcripts from tech support, and mail from the service centre certifying abnormal battery behaviour.

Case and point - Apple's own tech specs state that the laptop is supposed to last ONE WHOLE MONTH in Stand By mode. That means battery should not dischrge more than 3% a day in Standby mode. When switched off its supposed to consume ZERO. This is why your unit reached you dead. Try gettting the Apple support on chat on teh US website . They will confirm this is not normal.

I am surprised you backed down at the retailers. Please approach the DED and file a consumer complaint. You will get sorted out in 48 hours! (google consumer protection in UAE)

I had no problem getting 3 units replaced. (The retailer was the one who told me another customer had filed a consumer complaint with the DED)

All the best!

PS: Let me know in case you need any further info - will be glad to help.

Battery consumption should be around 3% while in the sleep mode. Anything dramatically more than this is not normal.

I got my system replaced..

Long story --

Got it replaced FOUR Times! .. awaiting my fourth replacement as we speak!

First one - came with the battery drain issue.

Second one came with cycles on the battery (tech support said may be refurbished)

Third one had BOTH the issues - 3 Cycles on a 'New' machine PLUS an 8% drain in 24 hours on a completely SWITCHED OFF system.

At this stage everyone from apple - to their service centre, to thier distributor was involved. Got a full refund from the retailer (since we could not diagnose the issue - the service guys felt some component level trouble shooting will have to be done which is possible only at the factory)

Fourth - Decided to go online with Apple Store. This machine also had 3 charge cycles on it. This time the display had a PINK hue across the left side of the screen. Awaiting a replacement. (The also messed up by sending me a wrong part (3M privacy screen) DESPITE pointing their mistake out at the order stage itself!)

Unfortunately have nearly a $1000 invested in brand new apple accesories - so am stuck with the brand!

Apple tells me a few machines are pulled off the assembly line - AT RAMDOM - for testing. Hence its okay to see a few cycles on it. I have only TWO questions.

1. What testing do they do that takes 18 odd hours - 3 cycles worth!

2. What are the odds of me getting THREE of those pieces consecutively - two purchased locally from different retailers, and one shipped directly from the factory! 🙂

I have a feeling there is a lot more to it!

Please explain why the laptop came with a battery completely dead. I am more than willing to learn .. hence please also post what the correct figures/science is.

As far as I am concerned, both tech support and the service guys have accepted its not normal (in writing) .. hence you will forgive me for believing what I know thus far.

While I am a brand loyalist, I am far from being a fanboy. A spade is a spade untill someone can prove otherwise.

Peace!