Macbook Air Battery Replacement Apple estimate v actual costs

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mortonman

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#303387 7-Feb-2023 09:24

Has anyone got any recent experience of replacing their macbook battery.

Daughters Macbook air 2017 battery needs replacmeent. Only holds a charge for a short period of time. Battery symbol notes service required.

On the apple nz website it estimated replacement cost of $219. Pretty good value i thought so booked in at a service provider in Auckland.

Went to drop it off this morning and was told that last battery cost was over $600. Apple charges the service provider more than $220 for the battery itself. I declined as the laptop probably isnt worth that much.

$600 v $219 is a big difference.

Anyone had any joy sourcing a provider (Auckland) that matches the estimate or any recommendations for a non apple replacement shop?

Benjip

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#3032766 7-Feb-2023 09:40

My advice would be to phone Apple Support, or start an online chat, and see what their thoughts are on it.

Handsomedan

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#3032767 7-Feb-2023 09:47

Benjip:

My advice would be to phone Apple Support, or start an online chat, and see what their thoughts are on it.

I've never had something cost more than the Apple Estimate - in saying that, I have never had a battery replaced in a MacBook.

It does seem like a lot for a 2017 Air. I paid that for a whole machine just before Christmas.

Have you shopped around at other Certified Apple Repairers?

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wellygary

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#3032776 7-Feb-2023 10:31

Handsomedan:

It does seem like a lot for a 2017 Air. I paid that for a whole machine just before Christmas.

Yeah, but that would have had a 6 year old battery in it as well...

gehenna

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#3032785 7-Feb-2023 10:44

Log it with AppleCare, they will send the job to a local partner that you can choose, and they'll quote what you pay as part of the initial logging.

Handsomedan

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#3032795 7-Feb-2023 11:08

wellygary:

Handsomedan:

It does seem like a lot for a 2017 Air. I paid that for a whole machine just before Christmas.

Yeah, but that would have had a 6 year old battery in it as well...

Nope - new battery as part of the refurb.

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wellygary

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#3032798 7-Feb-2023 11:12

Handsomedan:

Nope - new battery as part of the refurb.

<bargain> sounds like a real winner then :)

Handsomedan

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#3032830 7-Feb-2023 12:56

wellygary:

Handsomedan:

Nope - new battery as part of the refurb.

<bargain> sounds like a real winner then :)

I think it's because the 2017 Air had just been added to the "ancient" list by Apple, so no longer got the newest OS - probably became harder to sell. The 2018 and newer was still up near $1000 a pop.

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thewabbit

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#3032836 7-Feb-2023 13:36

Did mine by myself a few months ago (MBA 2017), I think the battery was about $100 and took no more than 10 minutes to do. Granted it wasn't a genuine Apple battery, but for a 6 year old device I didn't think it would be worth getting genuine

mortonman

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#3032945 7-Feb-2023 16:53

Smashit Parnell Road, Auckland just replaced battery in under an hour for $210. Great service.

jonherries

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#3033000 7-Feb-2023 18:43

I had this happen to me, didn’t get anywhere with it other than “sorry it is what it is” and you need to pay us to get your stuff back.

I was ropeable…but I paid and vowed in future to only do it directly through Apple themselves.

Jon