Where to Buy a Genuine MacBook Air Replacement Battery?

cooni on 06/07/2017 - 17:22
Last edited 06/07/2017 - 18:06 by 1 other user

I've got a Mid-2012 Macbook Air (A1466) that is still doing perfectly fine for my computing needs, the only trouble is the battery doesn't last anywhere near as long as it used to.

According to coconutBattery my 1855 day old battery has seen 905 load cycles and is down to 39.6% of it's design capacity (full charge capacity of 2651mAh vs design capacity of 6700mAh). So, I need a new battery.

Looked around eBay and tried to buy one from an Australian seller.

I bought this one:
Which turned out to be a fake. It has a (probably) genuine casing but has had it's cells replaced by who-knows-what quality cells and the serial number printed on the battery doesn't match the one reported by coconutBattery. The seller (seemed) surprised and I've had a no hassle return/refund process.

Then I bought this one:
Which is also a fake. Same serial number problem and this one isn't even the right size - it's a little thick towards the bottom so the rear shell won't fit. Hopefully this return will also be easy.

Does anyone know where to buy an actually genuine replacement battery, or, know where to get a decent quality non-genuine one?

Cheers.

Computing

Comments

  • coco1458 on 06/07/2017 - 17:40
    +2

    I find that BetterBatt has some pretty good quality cells.
    The battery I bought for my MacBook Pro is holding up pretty nicely. Manufactured by Simplo, which to my knowledge is also Apple's manufacturer.

    This is the link to the battery you're looking for http://www.betterbatt.com.au/s/laptop-battery/apple/macbook/…

    They dispatch from Melbourne

    • cooni on 06/07/2017 - 18:17

      Does coconutBattery show a decent amount of full charge capacity vs load cycles on your BetterBatt battery? Pretty pricey for a non-genuine.

      • coco1458 on 06/07/2017 - 19:19

        Coconut battery shows almost full charge after a few charges to calibrate.
        I've got a new unit 55 charges for 98% full capacity
        But I can vouch for their customer service, 400 day guarantee which I've used once because one battery was faulty.

    • peuwayaqdq on 25/07/2017 - 11:53

      Looked at BetterBatt website and they seem to be okay? I like the 400 days money back warranty although I don't know how that will play out if I actually have any issues with battery purchased from them.

      • coco1458 on 25/07/2017 - 13:05

        Well from my personal experience, what they usually if there's a problem is that they'll replace the battery and if there's still and existing problem, they'll refund. Their customer service team is pretty good

  • holdenmg on 06/07/2017 - 17:52
    +1

    This is a 13in MBA and still supported by Apple.
    Apple https://support.apple.com/en-au/mac/repair/service
    would fit you a genuine one for $189

    Or you could look at https://www.epowermac.com.au/collections/macbook-air-battery… for $179. I'd be quite happy with the product, (but not the price, ouch).

    Interestingly enough https://www.macfixit.com.au/macbook-air-13-late-2010-mid-201… are out of stock and they warn about issues:
    "This battery may experience issues under OS X El Capitan (10.11.x) or higher." So, if you are running 10.11 or higher, ask the tough questions.

  • cooni on 06/07/2017 - 18:16

    Thanks guys.

    Hmmm, $119 from BetterBatt delivered or $189 for a genuine…

    Or just looking around more, $43 for a no-name generic (maybe this one is too much of a fire risk) or $60 for a Floureon (at least they have a brand name of some sort and a website and appear to have been around for a while).

    Has anyone had experience with Floureon batteries?

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 06/07/2017 - 18:41
      +3

      no-name generic

      I bought a no-name generic generic replacement battery for a device of ebay. After a week, won't hold its charge. More hassle than anything, should have spent the extra couple of $.

      • cooni on 06/07/2017 - 18:56

        Thanks for the feedback!

  • Ocker on 06/07/2017 - 18:48
    -2

    The old adage still applies - You get what you pay for.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 06/07/2017 - 19:18

    I buy all my Macbook Pro parts (same 2012 model as you) from OWC. Can't fault them. Maybe a little more expensive than ebay - but even with shipping they are cheaper than Authorised resellers in Aus.

    • o53djz7qTPY4der on 06/07/2017 - 19:19

      Sorry, you have a MBA, I have MBP. Still applies though.

  • Randxyz123 on 06/07/2017 - 21:32

    You can't buy "genuine" batteries. They are all going to be fake batteries.

    Try OWC or MacFixIt. But I doubt you'll find a "genuine" replacement…

    https://www.macfixit.com.au/apple-mac-accessories/batteries/…

    To be honest, just take it to Apple. You've spent almost the cost anyway.

    https://support.apple.com/en-au/mac/repair/service

    • peuwayaqdq on 25/07/2017 - 08:03

      I am in need of battery replacement for my MBP 13" mid 2010. It is bulging that it interferes with the track pad (I can't click it any more though touch still works).

      I doesn't seem macfixit ship to Australia? Or do they?

      Never mind I must be confused with ifixit :-p

      I am looking at this that from comments could be genuine? Or it is impossible to get genuine one anyway?

      • Randxyz123 on 25/07/2017 - 10:58

        I wouldn't trust those reviews

        "MacBook battery
        Excellent my friend says it works really well A++++"

        Another similar one a week prior?

        Have you gotten a quote from Apple ?

        I also saw this; this morning https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/24/mid-2012-macbook-pro-to…

        • peuwayaqdq on 25/07/2017 - 11:52

          Hi knick007, thanks for your reply. It says:

          In order to potentially qualify, you must have a Mid 2012 or Early 2013 model 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display that requires battery service.

          Mine is mid 2010 so it doesn't qualify. Apple asks for $189 from their website.

  • Nzkev779 on 10/07/2017 - 07:54

    From experience for apple related hardware better to buy from official store..to many knockoffs out there which can be dangerous also.

  • cooni on 06/07/2018 - 10:07

    After being stuffed around by "genuine" batteries from eBay and further degradation of my original battery (full charge capacity of 1490mAh after 2220 days and 972 load cycles), I've ordered and installed a Floureon replacement from eBay for $56.42.

    Fits perfectly, came with both screwdrivers needed (case screws and battery screws). Installation is simple - just need to unscrew, replace and put it back together. Feels a few grams heavier than the original but don't have scales to measure.

    Here's a before and after from coconutBattery: https://imgur.com/a/PT83duV

    Can't say much yet other than it works. Happy to respond to anyone that stumbles along this thread months/years later on how it's going.

    • glutony on 26/07/2018 - 07:53

      Hi, can you please share the link of Flureon replacement battery? I am looking for battery to replace my macbook air too, it happened to be same as yours mid 2012 version. Thanks.

      • cooni on 26/07/2018 - 12:55
        +1

        Just search eBay for your macbook’s model number and battery.
        The photos will show a blue floureon leaflet.

    • lakes_8 on 26/11/2018 - 17:43

      Just wondering how the new battery is holding up? I've got the same laptop as you with 1,896 cycle count so it really doesn't last very long anymore.

      • cooni on 27/11/2018 - 15:03

        The battery is holding up great in terms of charge, but I've had ~3-4 occurances where OSX / Windows reported no battery plugged in when running on AC (and the battery wasn't getting charged despite showing orange on the MagSafe plug).

        • shrugies on 23/09/2019 - 13:57

          Hi cooni,
          Just wondering how your battery and charge is holding up? I'm looking to replace my own. COTD is selling the same one I think: https://www.catch.com.au/product/floureon-replacement-batter…

          • cooni on 23/09/2019 - 14:04

            @shrugies: Absolutely horrible. Do not recommend.

            The battery works but battery life is quite short. Sometimes it's faulty and reports no battery installed and will insta die when you unplug mains (but then will turn on again with plenty of life).

            The seller won’t respond, the manufacturer won’t respond.

            I would go with whoever you think you can hold accountable.

            • shrugies on 23/09/2019 - 15:06

              @cooni: Wow…I'm glad I asked. Thanks so much! I'll avoid. Have you kept the same battery or have you replaced it?

              • cooni on 23/09/2019 - 15:12

                @shrugies: Kept it… I use my laptop a lot less nowadays.

                Looking at Coconut Battery, I've put just 41 load cycles on it in over a year.

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