Apple initiates Macbook Pro battery recall program

Well, at least somebody's doing something about their faulty batteries. Looks like after the "silent" MacBook Pro battery recall has officially turned into a full blown 15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Exchange Program. So, got a MacBook Pro from between February through May of this year? Check your battery out, because if you've got a model A1175 cell with a 12-digit serial number that ends in U7SA, U7SB or U7SC, then sign up, get that replacement shipped out, and send your old one back. Because who knows what might happen if you don't, right? Just kidding, we wouldn't want to alarm anyone, but seriously, check it out, ok? Companies don't issue battery recalls for their damn health.

[bob @ Jul 31st 2006 8:42AM]

"Well, at least somebody's doing something about their faulty batteries"

Hmmm, you mean like issue a battery recall https://dellbatteryprogram.com/Default.aspx

Yeah, good thing apple is so responsible, unlike somebody else...

[Stephen Snares @ Jul 31st 2006 8:46AM]

Just ordered mine, hopefully it'll hold a charge for longer than the one I have.

The link from "Read" below the article is incorrect.

[Intrepid @ Jul 31st 2006 8:56AM]

Hahaha. Proof that anyone can make mistakes - even the Gods of Apple fanboys everywhere.

[Dave Schroeder @ Jul 31st 2006 8:57AM]

Christopher,

What do you mean "vindication"? "Caves"?

There was clearly something wrong with some MacBook Pro batteries. I, too, had a battery in a MacBook Pro that lost cells and started swelling. But you know what? Anyone who had that problem could get the battery replaced by any Apple authorized service center.

Apple does not, and never has, "officially" acknowledged a problem or created any kind of exchange program or repair extension program until it identifies a solution to a problem. This has been true for *years*, all the way back to things like PowerBook 5300s, Apple 15" monitors, and graphite AirPort base stations.

I'm sorry to say this, but your site or complaints didn't "force", or do anything else, to cause Apple to create the exchange program.

If you're going to be at WWDC, I'd be happy to buy you a drink at Dave's on 3rd St. for the help you've been on Sprint PCS issues over the years.

Regards,

Dave Schroeder
University of Wisconsin - Madison
[e-mail]
http://das.doit.wisc.edu

[Dave Schroeder @ Jul 31st 2006 9:26AM]

I must revise my previous post: I just spent a few minutes talking with Christopher Price about the battery issue, and it turns out my post was out of context. I didn't realize that Apple had gone on record against Christopher's initial coverage about the battery. For better or worse, Apple doesn't acknowledge problems (and therefore, "there is no problem") until it identifies the problem and has a solution in place. Perhaps a better model would be to at least acknowledge known problems under some circumstances, and give note that there is a fix in the works. But with a vendor like Apple (as opposed to vendors with massive volume like Dell), that could also equate to the sales on that particular product dying in the meantime. It's a double-edged sword, from both perspectives. In any event, I retract my previous comments...pcsintel.com's coverage has been good on this topic, now that I've seen the followups.

[Kan Mattoo @ Jul 31st 2006 10:46AM]

So where do I go to fill out my information. Stupid 1.0 machines.

[markm @ Jul 31st 2006 10:54AM]

I had my defective battery exchanged months ago. After 1 month of use the battery had lost over 30% of its original capacity.

The new battery works fine.

With all of the whinig coming from the direction of my fellow MacBook Pro owners it is sometimes hard to take their complaints seriously - but the battery issue is real and Apple has been dealing with it.

[RJ @ Jul 31st 2006 11:26AM]

"Wah wah wah fanboys wah wah"

Get a life - if you've got the laptop, check out the recall, and if you're here just to whine about fanboy whatever, can it and go find something more useful to do with your time.

[markm @ Jul 31st 2006 11:27AM]

Billd

I understand. You are just upset because your fugly Dell exploded blowing off your arms and killing your family pet.

I am not an Apple "fanboy." I also own several PC's and my main work laptop is a Z60t. And if you can find a place where people complain as much as the Apple forums you deserve a medal.

[VQH @ Jul 31st 2006 1:10PM]

Wow.. Apple doesn't make their batteries, and neither does Dell. What do you guys expect when the battery made to run on a unstable akali metal? You guys touting Apple/Dell fanboism need to get over this issue and move on with your lives.

[D2 @ Jul 31st 2006 3:54PM]

Why do people always compare Apple *notebooks* with Dells? Wouldnt the Thinkpad comparison be more valid? Maybe because its mostly apple fans who make the comparison because they not better to compare to Thinkpads.

markm (a thinkpad user) is case in point:
"You are just upset because your fugly Dell exploded blowing off your arms and killing your family pet."

[LukeA @ Jul 31st 2006 4:17PM]

Apple may just be preventing bad PR, but no MacBook Pro ever exploded.

[Lola @ Dec 6th 2007 9:04PM]

WRONG! Mine DID EXPLODE and it wasn't nice! Not only it was a real scary experience I also lost tons of DATA.

[LordFarkward @ Jul 31st 2006 8:55PM]

really, regarding this recall thing (which apparently dell isn't doing): i've seen at least 3-4 links to the same website to dell's battery recall program site from this website, and engadget has still failed to acknowledge it and come in with comments like 'at least somebody's doing something about their faulty batteries'?

it sorta contradicts with being a website that's supposed to be updated with news... how can u update people when u're still in the dark urself?

on a seperate note, i hate dell. they have one of the worst customer services i've ever seen. well, dell in china, at least.

[Corvillus @ Aug 1st 2006 12:21AM]

Yes, Engadget should definitely post a little update blurb edit about the Dell battery recall program, if not a full blog post. However, the fact that the link isn't on Dell.com itself is kind of stupid though, since theoretically that domain could have been set up by someone else (although I don't know why anybody would want to do that, I don't think there's any money to be made phishing laptop serials). Anyway, the recall information is also linked to by Dell.com itself here: http://support.dell.com/support/batteryrecall/index.aspx/en/main

[Steve D @ Aug 17th 2006 5:34PM]

I logged on to the Apple website at 5pm last night to order my battery replacement and 16 hours later I had the new battery installed in my MacBook. That's true customer care!

[Collin @ May 2nd 2007 11:34PM]

Well, my battery stopped being recognized and was not under warranty or recall. They replaced mine for free. I even had the guy send me a new AC Adapter, since mine was getting frayed (that was also free).
Apple takes care of its own--more power to them. (bad pun)
PeaceLoveCollin

[Al @ Jul 12th 2008 9:48PM]

Finally fed up with Apple and their cheating ways. I have been a longterm devout apple consumer; I even stood in line yesterday to buy the new iPhone. I currently own a Macbook pro and several iPods (since new and ??improved ones come out every other week). Recently my computer has been shutting off by itself. Most likely a battery issue. The computer is a little over a year old and I even bought the iCare package. I call Apple and they state that my battery is faulty but it is over a year old and that it is a consumable resource. What they are basically stating is that even if you buy warranty on your product, their batteries are only good for one year; after this extensive period, you are on your own.

Yet another fantastic apple marketing ploy- make a product that will only outlive its warranty by a week or so, forcing costumer to buy a new one despite originally shelling out $2000 for it.

Annoyed,
AR

[Sair @ Jul 19th 2008 6:53AM]

Hello, I have been having issues with my macbook pro battery, I only get about 15, maybe 20 minutes charge now and the computer just shuts down with no warning. It's recently been to the doctors after a fall but the battery was giving me hell before this. I got it in April '06 and upon investigating it seems I could get a battery upgrade. So I searched apple, put in my info and was told the computer serial number qualifies for an upgrade but the battery serial number does not. The model for the battery is A1175. Anyone have any advice or thoughts on what I can do? I'm Australian, I bought the mac in Australia but I'm currently living in France. It's annoying always having to have power - kind of defeats the purpose of a laptop. Cheers guys.

[Pat L @ Oct 17th 2008 7:12AM]

Today I called Apple Tech Support to ask about the second battery I bought about a year ago when the original one conked out on my MacBookPro (bought in 2006 in SIngapore). They listened to my complaint - 2 batteries in 2 years! - and they told me to send it in for a free replacement.
My battery serial number is 3K7160XLWCRA.
So it may be worth your while to call Apple Support

[laptop @ Aug 20th 2008 10:09PM]

We tested each of the flashlights by using the two test batteries. We then labelled each flashlight with the battery brand name and put the different batteries in each marked flashlight.

[tom @ Aug 20th 2008 11:16PM]

Finally fed up with Apple and their cheating ways. I have been a longterm devout apple consumer; I even stood in line yesterday to buy the new iPhone. I currently own a Macbook pro and several iPods (since new and ??improved ones come out every other week). Recently my computer has been shutting off by itself. Most http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/acer/btp-37d1.htm likely a battery issue. The computer is a little over a year old and I even bought the iCare package. I call Apple and they state that my battery is faulty but it is over a year old and that it is a consumable resource. What they are basically stating is that even if you buy warranty on your product, their batteries are only good for one year; after this extensive period, you are on your own.

[Jack Smith @ Dec 19th 2008 8:55PM]

Some Apple macbook Pro 15 and 17 battery cell are asus cells. IMO Sanyo and sony battery cell better.
This battery use sanyo cell: http://www.laptops-battery.co.uk/apple-macbook-pro-17-battery.htm