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Assuming the cost of the batteries were the exact same, that means that Apple is charging an extra $60-$100 for the battery install. If it took all of 30 minute

Assuming the cost of the batteries were the exact same, that means that Apple is charging an extra $60-$100 for the battery install. If it took all of 30 minutes, that’s a labor rate on par (or better) with most automotive/mechanic/trade shops in my area. I would love to be able to pay Apple just for the battery and do it myself, but I don’t know many people that want to learn how (even though it’s very simple). This is where I get torn about how angry I should be... I feel like Right to Repair laws should (exist in the US in the first place...) require that wear items be made available on their own. Not as an expensive assembly, not requiring authorized repairs when out of warranty, and not being DRMed. I think that certain classes of items should always be considered wear items- batteries, for instance. However, at a certain point regulation (in the US at least) tends to either be SO broad or specific as to become regulatory capture for the incumbents or basically toothless. On the other hand here, Apple is giving users a viable, quality option at what could be deemed a reasonable price. To be clear, I’m not patting them on the back- I’m sure lawsuits forced their hand, they’re still making money, and they’re protecting their brand. I guess the point I’m trying to get across is that it sucks that my options are battery of unknown origin which can have literal catastrophic implications or paying a non-inconsequential amount of money to repair a piece of equipment that is likely important to one’s daily life.

Reason077 6y ago
Per the above post, in some models the battery modules are glued to the top case, which also contains the keyboard and trackpad. This makes replacement either quite a labour-intensive job, or a job that also requires replacement of the top case.
- Nullabillity 6y ago
  Which is a design choice that Apple made when they designed the laptop.
  - nicoburns 6y ago
    Don't know why this is being downvoted. Manufacturers absolutely shouldn't be designing their products to be unrepairable in this way.
    - rbanffy 6y ago
      The other day I read about car makers considering using batteries as structural elements to cut weight.
      - the_pwner224 6y ago
        That doesn't necessarily mean they're not replaceable; just that the battery bears load. The engines on most modern motorcycles are structural elements but you can still easily take them out and work on them / replace them. Of course, the manufacturer could design them to not be replaceable. But it's not a requirement that structural elements are nonreplaceable.
    - samatman 6y ago
      On the contrary: Manufacturers should have the right to design their products in any way they want, so long as the product is safe, and compliant with relevant regulations e.g. labor and environmental laws. You want a laptop with a replaceable battery, I want one that's as thin as possible while still doing the job. Good thing you can buy a ThinkPad and I can buy a MacBook!
      - Nullabillity 6y ago
        > Manufacturers should have the right to design their products in any way they want, so long as the product is safe, and compliant with relevant regulations e.g. labor and environmental laws. How is it environmentally friendly to have to glue in a consumable part? How is it safe that you can't just remove it when it's damaged?
      - nicoburns 6y ago
        > so long as the product is safe, and compliant with relevant regulations e.g. labor and environmental laws. Adding to those regulations is exactly what I'm suggesting.
- christkv 6y ago
  Dental floss underneath the battery. It’s more like the most painful double sided tape that sticks the battery to the case
- ksec 6y ago
  Which is why getting a battery replacement after a few years is actually a very decent deal because you are getting back a half brand new MacBook. Although the repairing quality of Apple Store has gone downhill in recent years, the attention and care they used to put though during repair are no longer there.

Reason077 6y ago

Per the above post, in some models the battery modules are glued to the top case, which also contains the keyboard and trackpad. This makes replacement either quite a labour-intensive job, or a job that also requires replacement of the top case.

Nullabillity 6y ago
Which is a design choice that Apple made when they designed the laptop.
- nicoburns 6y ago
  Don't know why this is being downvoted. Manufacturers absolutely shouldn't be designing their products to be unrepairable in this way.
  - rbanffy 6y ago
    The other day I read about car makers considering using batteries as structural elements to cut weight.
    - the_pwner224 6y ago
      That doesn't necessarily mean they're not replaceable; just that the battery bears load. The engines on most modern motorcycles are structural elements but you can still easily take them out and work on them / replace them. Of course, the manufacturer could design them to not be replaceable. But it's not a requirement that structural elements are nonreplaceable.
  - samatman 6y ago
    On the contrary: Manufacturers should have the right to design their products in any way they want, so long as the product is safe, and compliant with relevant regulations e.g. labor and environmental laws. You want a laptop with a replaceable battery, I want one that's as thin as possible while still doing the job. Good thing you can buy a ThinkPad and I can buy a MacBook!
    - Nullabillity 6y ago
      > Manufacturers should have the right to design their products in any way they want, so long as the product is safe, and compliant with relevant regulations e.g. labor and environmental laws. How is it environmentally friendly to have to glue in a consumable part? How is it safe that you can't just remove it when it's damaged?
    - nicoburns 6y ago
      > so long as the product is safe, and compliant with relevant regulations e.g. labor and environmental laws. Adding to those regulations is exactly what I'm suggesting.
christkv 6y ago
Dental floss underneath the battery. It’s more like the most painful double sided tape that sticks the battery to the case
ksec 6y ago
Which is why getting a battery replacement after a few years is actually a very decent deal because you are getting back a half brand new MacBook. Although the repairing quality of Apple Store has gone downhill in recent years, the attention and care they used to put though during repair are no longer there.