There is a litany of consumer products that come with unexpected or hidden costs to the consumer. Take the disposable razor, for instance, where the replacement blades come at a steeper price than the razor itself. Or printers, where a replacement ink cartridge oftentimes costs as much as the printer itself. Manufacturers are keenly aware of this situation, and commonly employ this strategy in an effort to keep revenues coming in over the long run.
One of the industries that is primed for this type of selling strategy is batteries for technological devices. Batteries are not one size fits all when it comes to specific technologies, and manufacturers can potentially charge significantly high prices for replacement batteries. But while this comes as bad news for many technology consumers, Apple’s battery policies come as a breath of fresh air.
Battery Replacement for Apple Products
MacBook
Perhaps the priciest of batteries are those for notebook computers. Despite the countless redeeming qualities of Apple’s MacBook Pro, Apple has yet to come up with a battery that has infinite life. This means that the MacBook Pro is no exception to the rule that a battery must be replaced. The good news is that Apple makes battery replacement quite simple by directly providing battery replacement services to consumers. Apple replaces MacBook batteries and disposes of old batteries in an environmentally friendly manner for varying rates, depending on the MacBook’s model. For a 17-inch MacBook Pro, consumers will pay $179 for a replacement battery, and for a 13 or 15 inch MacBook, consumers will pay $129 for a replacement battery. Once the battery is replaced, the MacBook should run as it did when first purchased.
iPhone
Like notebook computers, cellular phones also run on batteries that have a finite lifespan. This means that even iPhone owners may have to replace their iPhone battery. Fortunately, Apple does make it convenient for iPhone owners by offering a battery replacement program. To participate in this program, iPhone owners must pay approximately $86 dollars and bring their iPhone to an Apple Retail Store. If there is no Apple Retail Store nearby, consumers may contact Apple Technical Support for alternative options. The replacement process will take about three days, so consumers will have to count on being without their iPhone for this time. Granted, being without an iPhone for three days is difficult, but Apple will return the iPhone in tip-top shape.
iPod
Apple’s iPods also run on batteries, but Apple does not replace these batteries. Rather, Apple will replace the entire iPod for a discounted rate if an iPod’s battery loses its life. The prices for iPod replacement vary depending on the make and model of the iPod with the issue.
iPad
Apple intends to use the same program for the iPad as it does for the iPod when it comes to batteries. Instead of replacing the battery, Apple will simply replace the entire product for a service fee. More specifically, if an iPad’s battery runs out, consumers will be able to replace the entire product for only $99.
Things to be careful about when replacing a battery
Consumers with battery issues should keep in mind that Apple is not obligated to preserve data. This means that consumers should back up their data before taking their product in for battery maintenance. This is particularly true when it comes to iPads and iPods, as consumers will have their entire product replaced instead of merely a battery. While battery replacement is an unavoidable and somewhat discouraging side of technology, Apple does its best to facilitate a smooth and simple process for consumers.
