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AppleCare for Mac Now Covers Batteries Retaining Less Than 80% Capacity

Monday June 29, 2015 6:38 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Just a few days after updating the terms of its AppleCare+ Protection Plan for iPhone, iPad, iPod and Apple Watch to cover batteries that retain less than 80% of their original capacity within the extended warranty period, Apple has extended the same policy to the AppleCare Protection Plan for the MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

AppleCare MacBook
Apple previously only replaced defective batteries under the old terms of the AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac, but a support page updated today now outlines that the company will also replace a MacBook's battery at no charge if it retains less than 80% of its original capacity. If the notebook is not covered by AppleCare, replacing the battery requires paying an out-of-warranty service charge ranging between $129 and $199.

The new battery terms of the AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac:
"Your Apple One Year Limited Warranty or AppleCare Protection Plan includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. If you purchased an AppleCare Protection Plan for your Mac notebook with a non-removable battery, Apple will replace the notebook battery at no charge if it retains less than 80 percent of its original capacity. If you do not have coverage, you can have the battery replaced for a fee."
The old battery terms of the AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac:
"Your one-year warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. You can extend your replacement coverage for a defective battery to three years from the date of your notebook purchase with the AppleCare Protection Plan. However, the AppleCare Protection Plan for notebook computers does not cover batteries that have stopped working or are exhibiting diminished capacity due to normal use except when it is the result of a manufacturing defect."
MacBook notebooks with non-removable batteries:

  • MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) and later
  • All MacBook Airs
  • All MacBook Pros with Retina display
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) and later; MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) and later

    AppleCare for Mac extends the notebook's warranty coverage and telephone technical support to three years from the original date of purchase. Without an AppleCare Protection Plan, Mac customers are covered by a limited one-year warranty and 90 days of complimentary phone support. AppleCare for Mac costs between $249 and $349 depending on the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro model.

    MacBook batteries are designed to retain up to 80% of their original capacity at 1000 complete charge cycles, similar to the iPad and Apple Watch.

    Apple retail staff have been informed of the new policy which is effective immediately.

    Tag: AppleCare
    • [ 65 comments ]


    Top Rated Comments

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    Avatar
    speedbumpnv
    47 months ago
    Does this include any MacBook with AppleCare+ purchased prior to today?
    Rating: 4 Votes
    Avatar
    nigameash
    47 months ago
    Finally.
    Rating: 4 Votes
    Avatar
    Dargoth
    47 months ago
    I really hope that new laptop isn't going to be the "Face of Mac" on this forum for the foreseeable future... It really is a terrible laptop.
    Rating: 3 Votes
    Avatar
    Even Longer
    47 months ago
    Isn't it just a great move from Apple worth appreciation? Regardless all those comments...
    Rating: 3 Votes
    Avatar
    Arrr
    47 months ago
    With all the machines having non-removable batteries that are costing upwards of $300 to replace, I'm really glad Apple took this step. Especially with the newest machines that have soft cells glued to the top cases and whatnot.

    Kudos Apple.
    Rating: 3 Votes
    Avatar
    ardent73
    47 months ago

    What's the test to find the percentage.


    System Information > Hardware > Power >
    Battery Information:

    Charge Information:

    Charge Remaining (mAh):6552

    Fully Charged:Yes

    Charging:No

    Full Charge Capacity (mAh):6554

    but you have to calculate the % yourself or get an app like this one:

    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/battery-health-monitor-battery/id490192174?mt=12
    Rating: 2 Votes
    Avatar
    Tankmaze
    47 months ago
    Awesome news!! A new mbp battery could cost half the price of applecare already.
    Rating: 1 Votes
    Avatar
    skipper63
    47 months ago

    I really hope that new laptop isn't going to be the "Face of Mac" on this forum for the foreseeable future... It really is a terrible laptop.


    I just had a look at it yesterday and find it a very nice and good looking machine! It is made for a special clientele, that does not need lots of power and connectivity. For my mom and dad this would be perfect.
    Rating: 1 Votes
    Avatar
    tigres
    47 months ago
    What's the test to find the percentage.
    Rating: 1 Votes
    Avatar
    pureheat101
    47 months ago

    My Macbook Pro 17" (late 2011) was purchased in mid June 2012, immediately after this last 17" model was discontinued. So my AppleCare just expired a few days ago. Ugh! I would have loved to have received a new battery for this machine. Do you think it is worthwhile for me to still check with Apple about this possibility?


    Never hurts to ask
    Rating: 1 Votes

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