Replacing a 13" MacBook Pro battery with ten thumbs

Mijn probleem

Batery no longer held charge. A prompt appeared telling me to have the battery replaced.

I was quoted AUS$300 to "fix" my 15" computer. I paid $160 for the battery and replaced it in a few minutes, with no tools at all, simply by following iFixit's guide. For my 13", I was quoted $500 for the repair and fixed it for $135 for the battery plus the cost of the iFixit tool kit. Not to mention the enormous satisfaction of doing the job myself. The two repairs plus the tool kit were less than the repair costs quoted, and I know the job is done properly.

Mijn oplossing

I ordered the iFixit tool kit first, then ordered the battery from Apple in Sydney. I also wanted to replace the battery in a 15" MacBook Pro, so I ordered the batteries for both from Apple. The 15" battery was the right one, the 13" was not; Apple could not supply, so I went back to iFixit seeking advice, and found that I could also buy the battery there. This was the correct one, (and it was cheaper!) and following the repair instructions was easy, even for a 61 year old truck driver with ten thumbs. The repair took less than fifteen minutes. (In Apple's defense, they refunded the total cost including freight).

I was particularly impressed with iFixit's follow up and the fact that I could find out at any time where the shipment was, just by going back to the original dispatch email I received. It updated every time I opened it.

iFixit is a very professional organisation with repair instructions that any one who can use a screwdriver and who can read, can follow.

Mijn advies

For people in my age group, I would say, "have a go." Following the instructions is easy, even when instructed to lift the "Do Not Lift This Flap" sign. iFixit not only explains what to do, and why, but also points out the hidden pitfalls, such as a small plastic lug which will break unless caution is used.