A1280 Battery replacement

dasy4me wrote:

Thanks for the info. Apple no longer offers support to replace the battery due to the age of the computer. My model # is A1278, I had someone recommend ifix as well but the reviews for the battery were just so/so.

All A1278 models use the A1322 battery whether or not Apple considers them "vintage" or "obsolete". You might ask about it anyways. Apple still has the part, which was used in the mid-2012 MBP that ended production in 2016.

You model is considered "vintage" and it may be possible to get an AASP to perform a battery service in California. There's a law in California that requires that service/parts for an electronic device (above $100 wholesale price) with a warranty be available for at least 7 years.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624

Products purchased in the state of California, United States, as required by statute.

Owners of vintage Mac products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers within the state of California, United States.

I won't give you instructions on how to do this as Apple still considers it an "unauthorized repair" even though Apple or an AASP won't do it any more. However, have you tried OWC/MacSales?

Apple Battery Replacements for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

Apple may not like my recommendation to check out iFixit, but they're a reputable supplier of repair tools and replacement parts, and they have great repair guides. And your Mac is out of warranty, so you're not voiding anything anymore. But if you break anything, you have only yourself to blame. Brave enough to repair it yourself? Start here: Mac Parts - iFixit

Just FYI, A1280 is the part number for the unibody MacBook (non-Pro) battery. The product mentioned at the bottom of your post is a 13-inch MacBook Pro, so there's some conflict there. Make sure you order the correct part for the correct laptop, because they're not interchangeable. The above link will walk you through finding the right battery.

dasy4me wrote:

Thanks y_p_w, I contacted Apple they sent me to an authorized service center who told me they can no longer order this particular battery due to the age of the computer, so between Apple and the authorized service center I have been getting the run around.

I contacted OWC/MacSales and they were very helpful with sending me the link for the battery replacement I need. Its an aftermarket but seems as though that is all I can find at this point. If you know of anything else please let me know.

Thanks!

I thought it might be worth a try to ask. Again, Apple maintains stock of this battery in its inventory, but you seem to be running into the problem that they won't supply it for your computer. I don't know exactly how they handle it if it's brought into California for the service.

I can't really give you too much information on what to do, but you can see what OWC has as far as how to install. The kits that OWC sells include all necessary tools, although they're probably inexpensive throwaway ones.

dasy4me wrote:

y_p_w, Yeah not sure since I am in CA what the issue is. I can by an aftermarket with OWC for $100 with a year warranty and I have to put it in myself......or I can get an OEM one from a repair shop in my area installed for $150 with a 90 day warranty. What to do?

I see what the problem is. Apple has taken off the mid-2010 MacBook Pro models from their vintage list and now consider them "obsolete". The oldest MacBook Pro models on the vintage list is the early-2011 models. Thus not even an AASP in California can order an OEM battery from Apple for those models. An AASP can't simply order a battery without giving a serial number of the machine it's going into. So even if they have the battery, they wouldn't be allowed to order one for your machine.

The battery is screwed in, so it's not a terribly complicated process for a technician to replace. At least it's not like the latest models where the battery is glued to the top case.

dasy4me wrote:

Well thats very interesting. I have an appointment with Apple next week so I will see what they tell me. I'm curious how this repair shop in my area is claiming they have an OEM battery they can install, perhaps they ordered some before Apple stopped selling them..... I'm inclined to order the one from OWC/MacSales and put it in myself but will wait to see what Apple says in person next week.

I was looking at the top of the list of vintage models, and they had devices as old as a mid-2009 MacBook Air and a late-2009 MacBook on the list, so I got a little bit confused. I don't know how accurate it is though. If you look closely, it lists the "MacBook Air (Mid 2009)" model in both the vintage and obsolete categories. It looks like it needs to be cleaned up. However, a mid-2010 MBP is definitely in the obsolete category.

The statute that the support article refers to is California law that requires that any electronic device with a warranty and a wholesale price of at least $100 must have service and parts available (to service centers) for at least 7 years from the last date of manufacture for a particular model. It doesn't require that parts must be available sold loose to the public.

Apple certainly doesn't distribute OEM repair parts to anyone except Apple service centers, Apple Stores, and AASPs. If anyone is claiming to have an OEM battery, then it could be some salvage part. Apple doesn't allow for a "built-in" battery to be ordered without an exchange of an older OEM battery.