Dead iPad battery? Never mind replacing it, Apple just sends another iPad for $99
By Darren Murph 
posted March 13th 2010 1:24PM
posted March 13th 2010 1:24PM
Now, let's compare that to the verbiage found in the iPhone's battery replacement program details:"If your iPad requires service due to the battery's diminished ability to hold an electrical charge, Apple will replace your iPad for a service fee."
We can see the puzzled look on your face from here, and we're sharing in the same disbelief. Apple is actually saying that it won't bother cracking open your withered iPad, replacing the battery and sending it back your way; instead, you'll pay $105.95 (including shipping) for a completely different iPad, which certainly has its pros and cons. On one hand, you're getting a new (or potentially refurbished, actually) iPad in around "one week," but on the other, you'll be waving goodbye to every morsel of personal data on the device that you send in -- unless you backup beforehand, of course. Here's Apple's take on answering "will the data on my iPad be preserved?""If your iPhone requires service only because the battery's ability to hold an electrical charge has diminished, Apple will service your iPhone for a service fee."
Lovely, don'tcha think? Head on past the break for the full text."No. You will receive a replacement iPad that will not contain any of your personal data. Before you submit your iPad for service, it is important to sync your iPad with iTunes to back up your contacts, calendars, email account settings, bookmarks, apps, etc. Apple is not responsible for the loss of information when servicing your iPad."
[Thanks, David]
Battery Replacement Service - iPad: Frequently Asked Questions
What is iPad Battery Replacement Service?
If your iPad requires service due to the battery's diminished ability to hold an electrical charge, Apple will replace your iPad for a service fee.
Note: Your iPad is not eligible for Battery Replacement Service if the product has been damaged, for example, as result of an accident, liquid contact, disassembly, unauthorized service or unauthorized modifications, or if the product is not operating correctly as a result of a component failure. Please review Apple's Repair Terms and Conditions for further details.
How much does it cost?
The service costs $99, plus $6.95 shipping. The total cost is $105.95 per unit.
All fees are in U.S. dollars and are subject to local tax.
How do I arrange iPad Battery Replacement Service?
Battery replacement service may be arranged via your local Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, or you can contact Apple Technical Support. Please do not send any accessories with your iPad.
Will the data on my iPad be preserved?
No. You will receive a replacement iPad that will not contain any of your personal data. Before you submit your iPad for service, it is important to sync your iPad with iTunes to back up your contacts, calendars, email account settings, bookmarks, apps, etc. Apple is not responsible for the loss of information when servicing your iPad.
How long will it take to receive my replacement iPad?
If you arrange service by calling Apple Technical Support, you can expect service to be completed within approximately one week from the time you send your iPad to Apple.
Apple just wants to harvest your data off the iPad
@GugelBot Hmmm, I'm sure there are other ways of acheiving this without having to physically handle the device.
@Ruthless i think they want to harvest your dollars rather than your data.
oh no another I-fart blog on engadget. maybe we should call this i-gadget? every 5th post is about this garbage pad thing nobody wants. So wtf you can change any batteries yourself? But I really dont give a sh*t. So you engadget aswipes stop these crapple post and do some real news we want to read.
@drakie
I think you'll find plenty of people 'want' the iPad. Even *shock* Engadget readers. Nearly 14k of them to be more precise, along with 21k who are waiting to see what OS 4.0 brings.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/ipad-pre-order-is-go-will-you-buy-one/
Who gives a shit if *you* don't want one, troll
@HighestRanked2 You spelled genius wrong, genius.
I was debating on which iPad to get - 16, 32 or 64 GB? I was leaning toward going with a 16 GB and replacing the drive in a year or so with a 256 GB SSD but after reading this article I don't think that even the best Apple tech is going to make this either a cheap or easy upgrade... So I guess get the 64GB now and wait 3 years til a 256GB version is sold by Apple...
So you pretty much have to have a computer/laptop with iTunes with your iPad for syncing backups. I know a few 50+ who were planning to replace there computer with an Ipad. Doesn't sound like that would be practical...
Idea for Apple: upgrade the TV to a 1 TB hard drive and sell them in tandem with the iPad. Buy the 2 together get $200 savings. Non computer geeks could sync/backup their ipad and iphone with the TV. it seems more consumer friendly.
@umbertoaqualung you can probably back up your data on an external hard drive or flah drive, but you'll have to buy another apple accessory to have a USB port available. apple should just print money.
I just wonder what the actual price on the battery would be itself. Anyone that's ever replaced their own iphone battery using a case opener tool knows you can save a ton. Iphone 3G battery $9.99
This thing is getting better and better... :D:D:D
@Jon -
Re your comment: "I know it's not a $100 dollar device. The breakdown's have been done, it's a $200 device."
No breakdowns have been done: Some people have tried to grab pageviews by posting "cost analysis" without access to a physical unit. These are worth exactly what you paid for them...
Re your other comment: "Apple owners tend to replace their products fairly regularly, as such they don't treat them as well as they might if they planned to keep them for a long time."
This is just plain wrong. The stats have been available for years: Mac owners hold on to their machines longer than Wintel users.
I'll agree with you that I've seen a lot of iPhones with broken screens, but that's just because there aren't (yet) a lot of other phones with large glass touchscreens to compare it against. I'll bet Android phones end up failing just as frequently.
These screens, however, can be pretty easily fixed via kits available on the web for about $30. I'm always amazed when I hear people buy new phones in this case.
We're fully comfortable with the policy as stated but for one thing, which is due entirely to our ignorance, no doubt. For our very simple needs, I'd thought of the iPad as a *replacement* for a laptop, not a *supplement* - imagine that!
So, we wouldn't have a laptop with iTunes sitting around, to sync/backup personal data. It'd surely be nice to have a *different* way to backup personal data (e.g. use the adapter to go to a thumb drive).
But, from what you're all saying (if iTunes sync is *the* way to make an iPad backup, and thus a laptop-joined-at-the-hip will *always* be required), then I think iPads are not in our future.
what do you mean potentally? it WILL be a refurb. that is how the company works. want a new logic board for your MBP... here's a refurb for the cost of a new one!
if your logic board is fried (cannot be reused by apple) they charge you more for a new (refurb) one. in oz it is $1500 vs. $2300 just for a replacement logic board depending on how it died.
it WILL be a refurb guaranteed.
@HighestRanked2 your one experience does not change what i already know myself. i have had lengthy discussions with the apple tech guy over this... but you keep living in your little apple dreamland.
Typical apple, stupid idea that they shove down their 'customers' throats. Makes sense though, if you are dumb enough to buy this device, you are probably dumb enough to pay 100 bucks to get a refurb for a new battery.. ya... that makes sense eh. This is why you make something with a logical design, not focusing on how the stupid thing looks. Piece of shit garbage.
I think this is totally reasonable. What is the likelihood of the battery becoming lifeless within two years? I think the chances are very slim. I have been using an iPhone for 20months and have charged it every night. I cannot see any noticable battery power reduction.
Just to make sure, the past 566 comments are mostly the same whining and bitching found in most iPad articles, right?
apparently the reason for this is that they have to crack the case to get the battery out...
So, if their willing to give you a new ipad for $100 if your battery goes bad, this leaves me thinking - how much does it cost to manufacture an Ipad?
Personally I think apple should just find a way to make their batteries user accesible.. Lets face it.. all batteries on all devices stop working the way we want them to after about 12-18 months.. come on apple! get that design and technical team to make it user changeable.
Then again.. I guess its part of apples money making scheme.. they work a little more and make a lot more money.. My 2 cents
@ojra89 Sorry but I have to disagree... The problem with building a device with user-changeable batteries, means that it will be less visually pleasing. Not only that, but when would you be planning to buy a new battery anyway, and at what cost? I do know that replacement netbook batteries are quite expensive. So I can't see the problem with Apple charging $99 for a replacement tablet, even though you may never get to the stage of needing to replace it.
A tablet should be an occasional leisure device, not a work-horse or desktop replacement. You people need to get real!
@GadgetBLOGS - It does mean that the iPad is more valuable than iPhone as we get brand new iPad in once facing a small issue of battery!
The service is kind of dumb if you ask me..
Apple: "Ohh, seems you need your iPads battery replaced"
Me: "Yea, It completely blacked out before I could save all my important tax return documents and university essays"
Apple: "Thats ok, we can replace your entire iPad for a very shiny new refurbished iPad for only $99!"
Me: "JEE APPLE, WHAT A GREAT F***N IDEA!!"
I'll wait for ipad 2.0 when they fix all the bugs and drop the price $100. which should be about 6 months after the initial launch.
Geez, where are you people when you Epson sell you a cheap printer only to find out that you have to pay hundreds of dollars to replace the ink, you go to the movies and pay $10.00 but end up paying $25.00 on Popcorn and drinks, you buy a 32GB iPod Touch yet Apple just hit the 10 Billionth iTunes download. 10 BILLION at a buck a pop. Now you think these iPhone/iPad apps are gonna stay free forever? And most every negative comment I've read is giving me deja vu cause all these comments I've heard before when Apple released the iPod and then again when they released the iPhone. Bottom line, if you don't like Apple or what they're doing, then don't buy it. But let us people that can use these devices NOT have to listen to your outrages claims. I never said anything bad about the Zune (POS...oops I just did) or the Droid, Google phones, Verizon or all the other big corporations looking for the same thing.....Profits! And Steve Jobs is doing just that with Apple, Pixar and Disney.
@commonman
So if it's in the name of profit, it's ok? Yeah, that makes sense. There are things in this world more important than profit.
Also, If you don't like people speaking badly of Apple, just don't read the comments. See? It works both ways. Now go crawl back in Steve Jobs' butt, where you belong.
@commonman Well said. If you want to predict whether an Apple product will be successful or not, just look at what the board commenters have to say, and the exact opposite will come true. It's so ironic -- a foolproof system that relies on the fools! Their motto is "No wireless. Less space than a Nomad. Lame."
I personally think the whole deal is rubbish. If I really want something to carry around, I'll buy a netbook in excellent form and get a phone that tethers. Geeze. Then I don't have to deal with all of apples nonsense. I was willing to give the ipad a try, but the more I'm seeing of pricing and what not, the less I am liking it. Yeesh.
Apple DEFINITELY knows how to get their money! "All it will cost is $99 for us to replace your battery." Obviously, the IPad being built as I expect, you will keep your info in memory. Something just doesn't fit right, IMO, with me sending YOU the manufacturer my product I paid for so you can replace its battery, and PAY you to do it no less (naturally if you don't buy an extended warranty or continue to keep the current one active).
Whats all the trouble of leaving that in the hands of the user by making the case removable to replace it on your own? They said, "We will leave you no choice but to replace it through us as we will seal it closed so the only way to replace it is by coming to us."
God help me if I think differently..
Apple replaces iPhones with dead batteries too, they definitely don't repair them. Also, same thing with iPods. That's their version of "servicing" them. Ask me how I know.. Because it's my job.
Also, as far as refurbs go, potentially being scratched up or whatnot... Apple's service parts are all "like-new" condition.. They all look brand new.
Worried about your data? Back it up. It's wayyyy too simple to backup an iPad/iPhone to complain about losing stuff if something goes wrong..
On the video you guys from Engadget posted they disassembled the iPad in less than 10 minutes... You can even see the battery... What's the problem with simply replacing it? Or how about shipping the battery to the user along with a DIY manual?
Generally a WARRENTY covers you for a specific period of time, but you pay the shipping there. They're MAKING MONEY on that process no doubt. Man I thought PIMPS were scammers- Apple are the biggest CONS around. Period.