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Apple today released MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.7, addressing an issue related to batteries with more than 1000 charge cycles. The update applies to Mid 2010 and Early 2011 models of the 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro and is a complement to earlier updates addressing the same issue for other machines.
About MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.7
This update addresses a rare issue on some Apple notebooks where a battery that has accumulated more than 1000 charge cycles may unexpectedly shut down or stop functioning.
The update is a 1 MB download and requires OS X 10.6.8, 10.7.5, or 10.8.2.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Top Rated Comments
(View all)1000 cycles? How on earth does a 2011 MacBook Pro reach 1000 cycles that fast? Crazy! Must be that 0.000001% of the Apple-owning population that reaches such a number.
I believe that my previous battery (which was not old - about 100 cycles) suddenly died because of the same problem.And I am far from being alone! Just lookup the "Service Battery" problem in Google: the significant part of complains about dead batteries are related to 2010/2011 MBP models, and these batteries had an acceptable count of cycles.
The whole story makes me think that Apple did not want to take responsibility for broken batteries, to admit their fault,
and that is why they set a very high number of cycles in their note.
So, I am glad that I did not paid extra money to get a new replacement battery from Apple directly
(since this problem was their fault, they do not deserve my hard earned money)
Instead, I got it from eBay top-rated seller plugplayers , $76 with shipping, and luckily it turned out to be genuine.
Was almost two times cheaper than from Apple. However, if we compare with Apple "premium" service,
there were some minor issues:
1) I had to wait the battery for about one month (was using power adapter all the time,
and because there were not battery inside the MBP, it was downclocked automatically,
probably to prevent shutdowns caused by a sudden increases in power consumption)
2) I had to buy a 38-Piece Set from DX, so I could unscrew the nasty triangle screws
(to be fair, that increased the total cost of replacement to $86)
3) I had to do the battery replacement work by myself (was not hard, really)
EDIT:...and for good reason :rolleyes:
I believe that my previous battery (which was not old - about 100 cycles) suddenly died because of the same problem.
Cool story, bro :rolleyes: But for $44,And I am far from being alone! Just lookup the "Service Battery" problem in Google: the significant part of complains about dead batteries are related to 2010/2011 MBP models, and these batteries had an acceptable count of cycles.
The whole story makes me think that Apple did not want to take responsibility for broken batteries, to admit their fault,
and that is why they set a very high number of cycles in their note.
So, I am glad that I did not paid extra money to get a new replacement battery from Apple directly
(since this problem was their fault, they do not deserve my hard earned money)
Instead, I got it from eBay top-rated seller plugplayers , $76 with shipping, and luckily it turned out to be genuine.
Was almost two times cheaper than from Apple. However, if we compare with Apple "premium" service,
there were some minor issues:
1) I had to wait the battery for about one month (was using power adapter all the time,
and because there were not battery inside the MBP, it was downclocked automatically,
probably to prevent shutdowns caused by a sudden increases in power consumption)
2) I had to buy a 38-Piece Set from DX, so I could unscrew the nasty triangle screws
(to be fair, that increased the total cost of replacement to $86)
3) I had to do the battery replacement work by myself (was not hard, really)
it was stupid to go through all the hassle
10.8.3 out tomorrow or thursday.