Forums Macs Notebooks MacBook Pro. Retina display replacement cost. Does anyone know what the cost would be now to replace the same retina display (Macbook Pro.
In 2012, Apple introduced its MacBook Pro Retina—a super sleek laptop with an impossibly high-res screen to match. We’ve been fans of MacBook Pros for a long time—they have a legacy of user-repair and upgradability.
But the 2012 MacBook Pro Retina broke with tradition: under the case, we found a non-upgradable machine and a battery glued down to the frame. The 2012 MBP Retina might have been built for Pros, but it wasn’t built to last. The MacBook Pro Retina line has remained incredibly difficult for users to repair ever since. But broken shouldn’t have to mean the end. The Problem With the MacBook Pro Retina We’re firm believers in upgradeable, repairable technology. Electronics should be built with an eye to longevity.
Making laptops and other smart devices requires a massive outlay of natural resources, energy, and human effort. According to Apple’s own environmental reports, over its lifetime, a single 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina is responsible for. That’s 1,305 pounds. Numbers that big are a little hard to conceptualize, so here’s some other things that weigh 1,300 pounds:.
A well-fed Kodiak bear. Half a Mini Cooper. The majority of those greenhouse gases (79%, ) are emitted during the production phase—when the materials for your new computer are mined, refined, processed, and assembled into a sleek final product. Choosing energy-efficient devices helps—but the biggest problem isn’t how we use electronics, it’s how we make electronics. Extending the lifespan of your device is really the best way an individual consumer can mitigate the environmental impact tied to manufacturing. Here’s our rule of thumb when it comes to electronics: get one, use it for as long as possible, repair it, repeat. Unfortunately, the Retina’s glued-down battery is a big hurdle to that use-as-long-as-possible plan.
Unlike earlier models of the machine, the Retina’s battery is an absolute bear for DIYers to tackle. So the life of the laptop is pretty much limited to the life of the battery. It’s worth noting that laptops normally aren’t designed this way.
In a of 44 popular devices by 17 different manufacturers, we found that laptops, in general, are still the most repairable portable electronic. Which makes sense; they’re pricey and users expect to use them for a good, long while. Among the laptops that we analyzed from Apple, HP, Dell, LG, Microsoft, and Samsung, only Apple’s and Microsoft’s notebooks stood out as being overly difficult to repair and upgrade. Of course, even if you can’t upgrade the components, Apple Stores will still replace your MacBook Pro Retina battery when it inevitably wears out for $199.
But that’s not an option for every consumer: some people can’t get to an Apple store; some folks need a cheaper, quicker option; and some folks (like us) just prefer to do their repairs at home. Because we’re resourceful like that. What’s more, in most parts of the world, Apple only services their products for —and the 2012 MacBook Pro Retina is nearing its fifth birthday. Lots of people need their. So, when manufacturers like Apple present us with a device that’s impossible to repair, we take it as a challenge: find a way to fix it.
We’ve been looking for a good, consistent DIY repair solution for folks who want to replace their own Retina MacBook Pro battery for a while. But that battery glue makes it really challenging. Even Apple doesn’t remove those batteries—they just replace the whole upper case, including the keyboard. But that makes the replacement part more expensive for owners.
So, what’s a tinkerer to do? Fixing the Un-Fixable We experimented with a lot of different options for how best to loosen that adhesive without compromising the battery. We tried heat—our go-to method for adhesive-logged devices. But getting heat to a Retina’s battery adhesive is hard: you either have to push heat through the battery (not safe), or pump enough heat through the keyboard and trackpad to turn your laptop into a hot plate (not good). Heat exhausted, we turned to other solutions. We needed to find a solvent that was powerful enough to cut through the adhesive, gentle enough to not compromise the Li-ion battery cells, safe enough for consumers (and us!) to use, and friendly enough for the environment.
After a lot of testing and dozens of formulations, we came up with a solution. It’s a blend of household chemicals—safe to use, but potent enough to get the job done. The repair is still a fair bit of work: removing the battery requires a lot of caution and patience—but it’s definitely doable with the right tools, the right instructions, and the right adhesive removal technique.
Terri I’m with you, Lauren. I was ‘given’ my Macbook by my college. I had so much trouble with the first one losing all of my work and not allowing me to back up, that I was about six months behind. The second one didn’t last much longer, but at least I could keep my work.
So, after the first two utter lemons, the third and last one worked pretty well until it slid off the bed when I fell asleep and the screen image fractured! I put it away for a couple of months until I bought adapters for my monitors, hoping to just use the MacLemon at home. Attached the adapters to the HDMI and the macbook, switched on the monitor and the mac, and Ta da. Dead as a door nail. It won’t switch on.
Tried everything recommended on the web, then took it to an Apple guy. He said the power is working but not affecting the motherboard. So, to get this expensive computer back to where it was a year ago, I will need to replace the screen and the motherboard. I bought a Dell.
I can smack the screen with a shoe and it’s not affected. (There was a fly on the screen) I’ve dropped it three times, and only a few scratches on the case. This is what I would have expected from the Apple.
I, like you, will never buy another Apple. It seems they are all sizzle and no steak. Ron Simpson For those of you concerned how to properly remove the remaining adhesive residue left after removing a battery from any MacBook Pro or Apple laptop, read on Required tools: 2-3 stable spoons of standard rubbing alcohol; 2x Q-tips; 4 in. Strip of plastic wrap; and a credit card of your choice.
Cleanup method: – Pour 3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol into a small bowl – Use a Q-tip to generously apply alcohol to adhesive strips left over from removing battery – Cover the well coated adhesive strips with your strip of plastic wrap being sure to follow the contours of bottom of the laptop to slow the evaporation of the alcohol. – After an hour or so, lift plastic wrap; re-apply alcohol; re-cover with wrap; leave overnight. – In the morning, use your credit card to scrap off the residue without any fuss.
How do you replace the battery in the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro? Is it more or less difficult than the 15-Inch Retina Display models? Is it possible?
All 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models have an integrated lithium-polymer battery. Specifically, the 13-Inch 'Late 2012' and 'Early 2013' models have an integrated 74-watt-hour battery, the 'Late 2013' and 'Mid-2014' models have an integrated 71.8-watt-hour battery, and the 'Early 2015' models have an integrated 74.9-watt-hour battery. Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, ) Identification Help Multiple 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro notebooks share the and but have different batteries. Consequently, the best way to identify them uniquely enough for the purpose of replacing the battery is either by external or by the in software (assuming that it will boot). As always, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these details for your convenience: MacBook Pro Subfamily EMC Model Identifier 13-Inch (Late 2012) Late 2012 13-Inch (Early 2013) Early 2013 13-Inch (Late 2013) Late 2013 13-Inch (Mid-2014) Mid-2014 13-Inch (Early 2015) Early 2015 Of course, EveryMac.com's feature - as well as the - additionally can uniquely identify each of the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers as well as other identifiers. Battery Identification There are five different 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro lines that collectively use three different batteries: 13' Retina MBP Battery Model Battery Part No.
Late 2012 A1437 020-7851-A Early 2013 A1437 020-7851-A Late 2013 A1493 020-8148 Mid-2014 A1493 020-8148 Mid-2015 A1582 020-00009 If you are purchasing a battery yourself, be sure to buy one that is compatible with your particular MacBook Pro. Site sponsor sells one battery replacement kit complete with the needed tools for the and another one for the. Official Replacement Option Formally, when the battery no longer holds a sufficient charge it is necessary to provide Apple with the entire notebook to have the battery replaced. Apple provides on the company website - and the price varies in different countries - but in the US it costs US$199, in Canada it costs C$239 (originally C$209), in the UK it costs £169 (originally £159), and in Australia it costs A$279 (originally A$229) to have the battery replaced.
Those who live near an Apple Store can have the battery replaced the same day with an appointment or opt for service by mail which takes 3-4 days. Self-Replacement Possible Apple has not designed the battery in these systems to be replaced by end users. Although the repair process certainly is not easy, it also is not quite as as it is for the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models. As first discovered by iFixit in the site's of the 13-Inch MacBook Pro 'Late 2012/Early 2013' and 'Late 2013' models, Apple sadly has glued the battery in place, but it was possible for these technical experts to pry the batteries away from the top case assembly without puncturing the battery. Note that prying the battery is dangerous and is not recommended.
It is safer to use a solvent to dissolve the glue. For the 'Late 2012' and 'Early 2013' models, it does not appear that it is necessary to throw away the entire top case, trackpad, and other parts just to replace the battery, either. However, the 'Late 2013' and 'Mid-2014' models are at least somewhat worse, 'burying the trackpad alive,' even if they forgo the 'earlier revision's contact board shenanigans' for a more standard connector. Likewise, the 'Early 2015' battery still is attached with 'gunk' and the central cells are even 'tougher to remove than in years gone by.' It still is a needlessly difficult and dangerous in the 13-Inch 'Retina Display' MacBook Pro models, but it can be quite possible for a careful and technically minded individual with professional experience upgrading notebook computers. Battery Replacement Videos Site sponsor OWC has released compatible battery upgrade kits - complete with all needed tools and solvent - for the. OWC also has produced these useful videos of the battery replacement process: Late 2012/Early 2013 13' Retina MacBook Pro Battery Replacement Video.
As as the above videos make clear, it is a complicated process and involves working with solvents to dissolve glue to replace the battery in these models. However, at least it is quicker than it is for the. Professional installation is strongly recommended. Battery Replacement Summary Essentially, it is possible, but difficult and potentially dangerous, to replace the battery in the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models. However, for professionals and those highly skilled with notebook upgrades, it is quite possible. Although it seems unlikely at this point, it would be welcomed for Apple to return to notebook designs with batteries that are easy to replace, as they were prior to 2012.