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Mid 2009 Model A1278 / 2.26 or 2.53 GHz Core 2 Duo processor EMC 2326

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Does User Replacement of Battery Void Applecare Warranty?

I know Apple states that you should have THEM replace the battery but it is much cheaper to replace it yourself and not that difficult. So the obvious question is, does user replacement of the battery void the Applecare warranty, either the "free" one-year or the extended warranty?

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In my experience, if they can't tell the machine has been opened up, then no, the warranty has not been voided. If you leave no traces and you're a better tech than the Apple Store employee who opens up your laptop, there will be nothing for them to see, even if you've done something that technically voids the warranty.

But I agree with Mayer -- your computer is basically new, so if you've got a bad battery this early in the game, Apple owes you, and you should let them take on the burden of doing the work.

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That's a good tip. I can probably do a cleaner service job than the average tech but screws have a habit of showing any attempt to remove/replace them. And I doubt the battery that you buy online is an Apple OEM part so they'd be able to tell no matter how careful you were. I'm just afraid they'd use that as an excuse not to honor your expensive extended warranty. I have read that they often find any excuse they can to disqualify a unit.

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If the computer is under warranty, take it back to them and get a free battery!!

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+ Ralph

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According to the plan:

"b. Limitations. The Plan does not cover:

(ix) Consumable parts, such as batteries, except in respect of battery coverage under APP for iPod

or unless failure has occurred due to a defect in materials and workmanship;"

So the question is, what is considered the normal lifespan of the battery? At what point is it no longer considered defective, and therefore ineligible for replacement under warranty, if it fails? Does the battery typically need replacement before the 3-year extended warranty is expired? I'm guessing that it does and it is much cheaper to replace it oneself.

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It is absolutely not normal for an embedded battery in a unibody machine to fail within the first year, and while the machine is under warranty. This battery is supposed to last something like 500 load cycles (if not way more) before flaking out (that's why it's "non-removable", by the way -- because in theory you're not supposed to ever need to replace it), and it would be almost impossible to put that number of cycles on it within a single year. I'm not an expert on Apple warranties, but in my view a unibody battery that is dead within a year is defective, and I'm sure most competent Apple geniuses will agree and replace it free of charge. Now, if the machine has liquid damage that is causing it to not charge the battery, etc., then that's an entirely different story....

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I've done some research, but haven't managed to find an answer for you. If you do happen to already have a paper copy of your warranty, I'd suggest buckling down and reading the fine print to see exactly what is allowed in it.

However, it sounds like you have not purchased a warranty yet. If this is the case, I'd recommend calling a local Apple store, and asking one of their service representatives about the details of their warranties, and exactly which parts you're allowed to replace without voiding the warranty. My sneaking suspicion is that you are not allowed to replace any parts except for maybe your battery, without voiding your warranty.

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Here is a link to a pdf form of the Applecare Warranty. Ralph

http://images.apple.com/legal/applecare/...

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Excellent find! The most relevant section I can find is 1. Repair Coverage - c. Service Options - (A) - Do-It-Yourself Parts.

Even that does not answer the question directly though, I'd still call to clarify.

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Actually I haven't purchased the laptop yet. I'm looking ahead. I could call a store but I'd likely get different answers from different "genii", and no matter what they said it would not be binding really. ;-)

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There is a sticker on the battery that states "Do not remove the battery". Also the battery is fixed with three "tamper proof" 5-wing torx screws. I don't know about the legal stuff, neither do i care, but i think by that means Apple made perfectly clear that they don't want anybody messing with the battery. Other than Apple folks, of course.

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Oh I'm sure they don't want US to replace the battery at less than half the cost. The thing is, on previous models it was perfectly all right to do so. They even had instructions on how to do it.

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At the Genius Bar they run a test to determine what category your battery falls into, whether used, defective, or good. Even if barely in the defective category they will replace it if under warranty. The problem with the unibody models is that removing the battery requires action that voids the warranty unlike the previous models where you could remove the battery without anyone knowing.

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Too late now, but next time get a SquareTrade warranty. I got one for $239.99 for a 3-year warranty for my MBP that included coverage for up to the cost of my MBP. It covers anything including breakage, spill damage, bad parts, including batteries, anything. No haggling with a prissy little (sub)genius. Toward the end of the policy, my MBP battery would not charge, yet it showed only 3 cycles. I took it to a local authorized repair shop that charged $129 for an OEM battery and $42 for a new OEM fan, $185 total including labor and tax. I emailed a scan of the receipt to ST and got a check for the total amount. So it cost me $55 more than what I would have had to pay out of pocket for the new parts and labor, and I got 3 years of peace of mind, knowing they would cover anything even if it was my fault. Worth it. At the time a 3-year Apple Care policy, that only covered manufacturing defects, cost $299.99.

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