Apple battery swap turns into free M4 MacBook Pro replacement, according to Reddit post
Source: otto-mate/Reddit
With so many grim and alarming stories from Reddit, we finally have something good to report on. A Reddit user on the MacBook Pro subreddit says a 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro started showing Apple’s “battery service recommended” warning after years of daily use. The user first checked a local third-party repair shop, which reportedly quoted £200 for a battery replacement. The user then visited an Apple Store and chose Apple’s repair option after seeing the price difference was about £45.
According to the post, Apple Store staff ran diagnostics, checked functionality, and documented the laptop’s condition with photos during intake. The store later called to confirm parts were on the way. About two weeks later, the store reportedly called again with bad news.
They rang after about a week and said parts were on their way and they’d let me know when they were in. After another week or so I got another call to say regrettably the laptop had stopped working during repair and they had tried 2 sets of new parts but were unable to revive it.
So what happens now I asked? “We give you a new one in the closest spec to your machine, which colour would you like”.
— otto-mate/Reddit
The laptop allegedly stopped working during the repair process, and Apple Store staff tried two sets of parts without being able to restore function. The user says Apple offered a replacement MacBook Pro in the closest available configuration and asked which color the user wanted. The post claims Apple charged £0.00, even after the user offered to pay the quoted battery fee and add extra for a nano-texture display upgrade.
This is one customer account, and outcomes can vary by case. Apple’s repair terms describe scenarios where Apple may seek authorization for extra costs if additional issues are found, and Apple may return a product unrepaired if authorization is declined.
The user’s post describes walking out with a new 16-inch M4 MacBook Pro said to be worth £3,249. For reference, Apple’s UK store lists 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations starting at £2,499 for M4 Pro models, with M4 Max configurations listed from £3,499 before options.
Source: Reddit
