MacBook Pro Swollen Battery - Any Recommended Replacements?

Buck

Buck

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I noticed the trackpad on the MBP not working correctly over the last couple of weeks and thought it was dirt trapped under the click button. Anyway tonight I noticed the metal face of the battery had come away and then realised that the battery was actually swollen/mis-shapen

The good news is that on removing the battery, the trackpad works perfectly.

The bad news is I need a new battery (model A1189 68Wh for a 2009 17" MBP)

There are a few on eBay for around £25-30 compared to the cheapest Apple one at around £51 http://www.kingbattery.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=158

Is it worth saving the £20 or going OEM? Does anybody have any experience of after market batteries and have a recommendation?

Thanks
 
I'd contact apple and ask them for a free/cheap replacement! If it is swollen then it could be dangerous. Don't think much of a battery that is in that condition so soon.

I'd also get the laptop checked out to make sure there isn't anything wrong with the charging circuit which could be why the battery has gone funny.

If there's a genius bar near to you then they're probably the best bet.

Did you get Applecare when you bought it?
 
Hi

It's out of warranty so not sure if they'd do anything without me paying for a new battery?

I've read on the internet (as a result of trying to find out what the issue was) that this battery 'fault' is not unusual
 
Out of warranty isn't always important. Under sale of goods things have to last a reasonable time. Also a bloated battery is a safety concern anyway. Apple are usually quite good about things like this being dealt with out of warranty. Did you buy direct from apple or from somewhere else?

Looks like they had a battery exchange programme for deformed batteries so yours may have missed it originally.
 
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Thanks Suz

I guess I've got nothing to lose - will try and get down to Sheffield's Apple store and see what they say at the Genius bar.
 
neil_g said:
As said swollen batteries can be dangerous, and can lead to them popping.

I'd have a word with apple as it could be a manufacturing defect.
Click to expand...

could lead to same what happened with I pods nano 1st gen.
Apple recalled them and swapped for new ones :)
 
I'm going to try and get an appointment at the Genius bar in Meadowhall this week to see what they say.

If it's a dead end, at least I will have tried - I've always found them helpful so fingers corssed.
 
Can't say much about batteries but my back was falling apart on my 2010 MacBook and thought I was going to have to shell out for a replacement. Spoke to the genius bar and they replaced mine for free via an online service. Very good customer service in my opinion since it was well out of warranty.

Good luck mate, hope u get it sorted.
 
Buck said:
I'm going to try and get an appointment at the Genius bar in Meadowhall this week to see what they say.

If it's a dead end, at least I will have tried - I've always found them helpful so fingers corssed.
Click to expand...

I took my macbook into the Apple store at Meadowhall and they replaced my charger as it was faulty without asking any questions. Didn't even ask when I bought my macbook, where I bought it from or anything.
 
There has been a recall of some Apple batteries, check their web site. If yours is affected then they'll just send you a new one and ask you to send the old one back, all prepaid.
 
The first option is take it to Apple. You've nothing to lose. They may replace the battery, if not you can pick up another one either there or on line.
 
I visited Apple today but despite my best efforts they wouldn't replace it for free but did manage to get 20% off a new one.

£80 lighter but my MBP is now running again - now onto looking at upgrading to a SSD drive and seeing if I can swap out the SuperDrive for another internal HDD.
 
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