Is my MBP battery a fake?

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Is my MBP battery a fake?

Hi, I recently purchased a new battery for my late 2008 MPB from an eBay listing that swore blind the battery was genuine. Now, I personally feel I've bought a high quality fake, the main reason being the screws on the battery. My MBP's original battery has a tri-shape screw, this new battery uses bog standard phillips end screws, which look really out of place and - regardless of the kind - dont even look like the phillips screws on the body. The writing on the battery is pretty much identical, but there's a little bit of an offness about the print, like it's poor quality paint.

The battery works, so that's not the problem, it's more that I spent more on it under the impression it was a genuine Apple product and it looks to me like a fake. I'm guessing I can't check by a serial number or something? Is there any surefire way I can check? Thanks for any responses.

Macbook Pro Unibody 2008

Posted on Jul 11, 2015 5:29 PM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

82,931 points

Jul 11, 2015 7:59 PM in response to Zelobster

I never trusted eBay anyway. Better batteries can be gotten from http://www.macsales.com/

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Answer 2

Zelobster Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 12, 2015 1:45 AM in response to a brody

I was recommended Macsales, but as I live in the UK, the postage (which does not include taxes and charges, so I don't want any hidden costs!) would have bumped it up to almost the same price as I was quoted for a battery from Apple, which is in the region of £150-200. I don't really want to pay a premium price for something unless it's a genuine Apple product.

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jul 12, 2015 3:03 AM in response to Zelobster

If your new battery serves your needs over the next few years, all will be well. If not, you may find that over all you will spend more than a battery from Apple. Many have fallen into this trap.

Ciao.

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Answer 4

Jul 12, 2015 3:09 AM in response to Zelobster

Hi,

Sounds like it is fake. I would install original battery as they need to be stored in certain temperature range so they will not loose the capacity they should hold.

As an experience eBay seller, I would write to the seller and explain your case. He may give you a partial refund if you would like to keep and use it or collection with full refund.

Hope it helps

Peace

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Answer 5

Zelobster Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 12, 2015 5:09 AM in response to Zelobster

Unfortunately as the battery is flagged as "service battery", not charging, and also expanded, I can't replace the original so for the time being I'm forced to use this replacement.

OGELTHORPE, the issue is not that the battery is actually fake, it's more that it was sold as an Apple one. I bought it thinking it was an original and (I'm pretty sure) it isn't, so I was hoping to find concrete evidence that it either was or wasn't, in case the seller required proof. So far all I have proof-wise are the screws being different.

Thanks for your replies. I guess I'll wait and see what becomes of the eBay report.

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Answer 6

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jul 12, 2015 7:04 AM in response to Zelobster

Open System Information>Power and look for the manufacturer code. It should be DP or SMP. Also look at the serial number to see if it looks a bit suspicious.

Even if it looks good, it does not mean it is real. If it does not, then you may have additional evidence of it being a counterfeit.

Ciao.

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Answer 7

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 12, 2015 7:07 AM in response to Zelobster

Zelobster wrote:

Unfortunately as the battery is flagged as "service battery", not charging, and also expanded, I can't replace the original so for the time being I'm forced to use this replacement.

Replace it immediately, damage to your Mac may result if you do not!

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Answer 8

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jul 12, 2015 7:17 AM in response to Csound1

Take a look here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7125360

Thank you.

Ciao.

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Answer 9

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,660 points

Jul 12, 2015 7:20 AM in response to Zelobster

Many counterfeits have the same bogus serial number: 0123456789ABC

As Apple does not sell replacement batteries for most of its notebooks made since 2009 or so, I suspect that anything offered for sale as "real" is a counterfeit/fake.

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