Beating the system

Mijn probleem

My wifes battery on her MBP stopped holding a charge. Since I've opened laptops before I knew it couldn't be too hard to replace. So I called Apple to order a battery, and they tell me I have to take it to an Apple store to have it changed out. I said I know how to do it, can I buy a battery. They said you can't open your laptop. I said I already did, I know how to change the battery. They said, with alarm, you can't open your laptop!!!! I said what what do you mean I can't open it? It's my laptop!

Anyways, I gave up on that and headed over to iFixit. It was actually easier to navigate to the part I needed than on the apple website.

Mijn oplossing

First of all, removing the back is a cinch, just make sure you don't loose the screws. The battery had 5 point star screws that needed a special screw driver. I didn't want to spend the extra $12 so I took a small flat screwdriver and filed it down so it would fit in two of the five points. Then I applied steady pressure until the screws gave. There was a little stripping on two of them before I got the screwdriver filed down right, but I wasn't worried because once I got the screws loose I knew I would be able to do it again if needed. The battery terminal connection was a little awkward to reconnect since the cables run under the battery and there is very little wiggle room. That part took some hand/eye coordination.

Mijn advies

The change out was easy, but like I said before, I have opened up several other laptops and I knew what I was looking for. I am disappointed that apple is not making the battery easy to replace, since it's probably the only thing that will need regular maintenance. Thank God for iFixit tho.

Thanks iFixit!