Service Battery status at 70% 449 cycles?

Question

Level 1

10 points

Service Battery status at 70% 449 cycles?

Hi

I recently noticed that my battery status on macbook pro 13" mid 2012 edition shows service battery warning. I am having this book for just over 4 years now. The battery at the moment is around 4020 mAh (70%) and 449 cycles have been completed.

I looked for answers online and on apple website i found this

"Your battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 1000 complete charge cycles. The one-year warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. Apple offers a battery replacement service for all MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro notebooks with built-in batteries"

I have not even completed 500 cycles and the battery is only able to retain 70% of its original capacity. Plus now I have service battery warning. Is it normal or there is some problem? What can be done?

I have tried resetting SMC and it did not work. What else can i do to avoid replacing battery at this moment?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), macOS Sierra (10.12.1)

Posted on Apr 30, 2017 9:43 PM

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Answer 1

seventy one

Level 7

27,460 points

Apr 30, 2017 10:24 PM in response to TechApple

I do sympathise. Apple do say what you say they say but the machine is four years old and items like batteries are only fully supported for the first year. And like most technical items, claims about their longevity are offered on an 'average' basis, not a guaranteed minimum.

That being said, if you are from the UK there are consumer laws that may support you. The 'Sale of goods act' can be applied up to six years from purchase ... but the pursuit under law can be a very long procedure. You may need to bite the bullet.

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Answer 2

TechApple Author

Level 1

10 points

May 1, 2017 4:40 AM in response to seventy one

I understand that what they claim is never really true. I am willing to accept that I have 70% charge at 500 cycles considering i am using it for over 4 years now. But at 70% to tell me to service battery which basically means get a new battery is a bit shocking. This battery is still able to hold 70% charge. Why should i even get this warning? I would have understood if I had got this message say at 40% or less.

I purchased it in Australia but I am not currently there. I am not looking for compensation but really I am just looking for answer as to why Apple is so dam expensive but not worth the money spend. I have came to learn this over 4 years time as this is not the first time this machine have failed me.

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Answer 3

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

May 1, 2017 4:50 AM in response to TechApple

80% at 1000 cycles is highly dependent on usage, if you have discharged the battery to very low levels regularly, or left it uncharged at a low percentage for a protracted period, or left it permanently charging for some time the battery life will be adversely affected. I happen to have the same Mac, and I left it on charge in the UK for 3 years while I was in the US, upon recovering it I found a 77% battery life left and a new one was purchased at once.

4 years is a respectable lifespan for a consumable part.

And I assume that like all manufacturers Apple prefer to use 'best cases' in their advertising. I would.

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