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MacBook Pro Battery Fake?

Laptop: Macbook Pro 17" Model A1297


I purchased a battery from a reputable seller on ebay but I have some concerns about my battery. The ebay auction says authentic apple battery but I have my doubts. I am torn between it being real and it being fake as some evidence points towards both, so I am a little confused which brings me here.


So the battery has a serial number stuck on it (the top tab) that was stuck on upside down and the print serial number is not crisp printing like my original battery. The serial number on the battery does not match the one that my computer is telling me. Also when I look up the serial number provided by my computer information ( D861015004NDGDL3T ) this serial number has been reported 1663 times on the website MacBook Battery Database (https://macbookbatterydatabase.com/battery/D861015004NDGDL3T). Now the other issue is the website stats this battery is a 6900mAh battery whereas my system is telling me the battery capacity is 13140mAh (coconut app says design capacity is 13200mAh). So there is lots of conflicting information when it comes to the information. Do I trust the website for the information of the computer for the information, I'm just not sure. Also I want to point out that the battery does say "Designed by Apple in California" with all correct spelling (which I know fakes have been known to have spelling errors)


Now the battery seems to be holding a decent charge. I am at 51% life and have been using the computer for over 2hrs, WiFi on, full screen and keyboard lighting plus applications running in background. So my issue isn't so much with the battery lasting as it is with the price I paid for a premium battery. If I bought a knockoff I don't wanna pay a huge price tag. If the battery last I am fine keeping it but not at the higher price tag.


Anyhow here is the information by computer is providing. I do realize that the manufacturer DP is or was an authorized company for the battery (which from what I read it is now SMP). I understand my computer is 6-7 years old therefore apple probably isn't producing battery anymore for this, which would maybe be the reason for this seemly bogus serial number.


Anyhow any help would be greatly appreciated.


Battery Information:


Model Information:

Serial Number: D861015004NDGDL3T

Manufacturer: DP

Device Name: bq20z951

Pack Lot Code: 0

PCB Lot Code: 0

Firmware Version: 74

Hardware Revision: 00aa

Cell Revision: 1

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 6826

Fully Charged: No

Charging: No

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 13140

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 2

Condition: Normal

Battery Installed: Yes

Amperage (mA): -3044

Voltage (mV): 7232


Thanks in advanced.

Macbook Pro 17" i5 2.53

Posted on Feb 17, 2017 8:57 PM

Reply
1 reply

Feb 19, 2017 7:31 PM in response to JONNY_1982

There seems to be a lot of inconsistencies. Apple would have stopped supporting hardware for this Mac after 5 years, so that would be 2014 for a 2009 Mac. So I would tend to be suspicious of a brand new battery offered 3 years later on EBay. The biggest issue with counterfeit products is that they may work for a while, but they aren't built to Apple's standards, and may fail prematurely. I don't know if one could actually be harmful. And I believe that a serial number is supposed to be unique for each battery.


I wonder if someone at the genius bar could confirm if it is genuine or not? It might be worth a trip to an Apple Store to find out for certain.


OWC is a reliable source for aftermarket batteries for this model should you opt to return this one:


https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/BAP17MBU03H/

MacBook Pro Battery Fake?

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