Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Resolved When is a good time to replace the original battery of a mid-2012 MBP?
- Thread starter a-m-k
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Do it ASAP if you still can. If Apple considers it a Vintage product you may no longer be able to get an OEM battery for it.
“Vintage products are those that have not been manufactured for more than 5 and less than 7 years ago.”
After that, batteries may be hard to find even through independent repair shops.
Last edited:
I replaced my 2012 MBP with a new battery ... it included the display and keyboard and such for only $2K. 
If you can use a screwdriver, it's SUPER easy to do yourself if you don't have a retina model.
See if this seller has any available, I bought my replacement from them, it's an actual Apple-manufactured battery and is reporting good health so far - omg_1971 on eBay The battery even came with the tools needed.
See if this seller has any available, I bought my replacement from them, it's an actual Apple-manufactured battery and is reporting good health so far - omg_1971 on eBay The battery even came with the tools needed.
According to ifixit, at least some of the 2012 models are rated as "easy" battery replacement. This will probably mean that aftermarket products will be available. That said, it's hard to know whether age or usage will kill your battery. But that's a relatively low cycle count. If it will go a few hours on a charge, that's probably a good indication it's in good shape.
- I see Safari using lots of energy. Try to see if it's an offending site that's using CPU/energy. Activity Monitor can help. I use something called Turbo Boost Switcher to turn off turbo boost, which, for whatever reason, seems to help battery life while casually web surfing...
Later models (such as my late 2013 15-MBP - much harder. I've made a note to get Apple to replace the battery next year.
- I see Safari using lots of energy. Try to see if it's an offending site that's using CPU/energy. Activity Monitor can help. I use something called Turbo Boost Switcher to turn off turbo boost, which, for whatever reason, seems to help battery life while casually web surfing...
Later models (such as my late 2013 15-MBP - much harder. I've made a note to get Apple to replace the battery next year.
Going through Apple is the only way to get an OEM battery.
The eBay ones are original batteries that have been pulled apart and repacked, or even worse, 6 year old batteries that have had the onboard chips wiped so the machine thinks they're new, but they're actually used.
The eBay ones are original batteries that have been pulled apart and repacked, or even worse, 6 year old batteries that have had the onboard chips wiped so the machine thinks they're new, but they're actually used.
In our family, we've had 10 or so Mac laptops over the past 10 years, and I probably "consult" on them another 5-6 families. In my experience, replacement batteries have had mixed results, both from Apple and from various 3rd parties. I've had 3rd party batteries last from 90 days to 3+ years (still going). I've had replacement Apple batteries last from 18 months to 2+ years (still going). YMMV.
This is my 5th 2011/2012 generation 15" MBP, took me 4 or 5 absolutely junk aftermarket batteries before I bit the bullet and just admitted that I need to pay Apple prices for one - Which was hard for me, the reason i've stuck with 2011/2012's for so long is due to the fact the later ones cannot be upgraded easily, and I refuse to pay ridiculous Apple pricing for storage and memory.
If it's still replaceable at the Apple Store using a an Apple-original battery, might be worth paying the $200 to get it done.
The reason you want to get it FROM APPLE is because you will get a battery that is either identical or close to the factory battery.
Aftermarket batteries can vary wildly in quality -- it's a total crapshoot.
Having said all this, 88% really isn't bad for a battery that is now almost 6 years old.
My sister has a 2010 white MacBook with the factory battery still installed, still working "well enough".
The reason you want to get it FROM APPLE is because you will get a battery that is either identical or close to the factory battery.
Aftermarket batteries can vary wildly in quality -- it's a total crapshoot.
Having said all this, 88% really isn't bad for a battery that is now almost 6 years old.
My sister has a 2010 white MacBook with the factory battery still installed, still working "well enough".
If you use programs such as Coconut Battery (or Apple's own system information tool), you know that there is no way to "wipe" the onboard chips. Even if you could, it would measure the capacity again within 1-2 charge cycles, and would report a low capacity in mAh (which is converted to a "Health" rating in macOS and in Coconut Battery). I've bought eBay batteries that are "genuine" but report manufacturers that Apple uses and have had no issues whatsoever. The people who use those computers have not complained once about the batteries. No swelling, good battery life, etc. Yea, they probably aren't quite as good as a genuine Apple battery, but they aren't the boogieman that so many people in the Apple community make them out to be.
Want to know my secret? I only buy batteries that have 100% PRODUCT feedback on eBay, from sellers with at least 98% feedback.
If you have lots of money and don't mind being without your Macbook for up to 2 weeks, take it to Apple. I take my Apple stuff for certain things and fix them myself for other things. It depends on what makes the most financial sense, warranty/AppleCare status, etc. But the mentality that Apple is the best place to take your Macbook is not always true, and is used as an excuse to justify Apple's anti-repair practices.
SDColorado explained Vintage - if it's a 15", it will be vintage "Any Day Now" as that one was last sold in October, 2013. If it's a 13" you have plenty of time, it was sold until October 2016 so won't be Vintage for another 3 years.