MacBook Air's Battery can be swapped in a thrice!

[NatCh]

Using commonly available tools, the MacBook Air's battery can be removed and replaced in just three minutes!

AppleInsider is reporting that replacing the MacBook Air's "non-user-replaceable" battery can be done in just three minutes with only a single size 0 philips-type screwdriver.

Due to its ultra-thin profile, Apple's new MacBook Air was designed with an integrated 37-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery that is not user-replaceable. Though this has caused some initial concern amongst potential adopters, AppleInsider has learned that the replacement process is quite trivial.

According to people familiar with the new-generation notebook, there are no special tools or knowledge required to swap out the MacBook Air's battery, which Apple has billed its "thinnest ever" in a product. Instead, the process requires a single size-0 type philips screwdriver and some diligence.

Once flipped upside down, the MacBook Air's bottom cover is easily unscrewed and removed, providing immediate access to the battery cavity. From there, the battery can be unscrewed from the chassis with the same screwdriver and unplugged from the circuit board with a simple tug -- it's not soldered to the board.

Apple is reportedly planning some sort of battery replacement program/service for batteries on out of warranty Airs (reported cost $129), but if it's this simple, they may not have many takers, assuming that batteries become available (as they always seem to do).


What do y'all think? Does this change anyone's opinion of the Air? Have they learned from their iPod experience, perhaps?


Original Source (via MacDailyNews)

[geoelectric]

I think the first time you start doing modifications of an open circuit board in an airport or on an airplane (never mind how you got the screwdriver there in the first place) will be very eventful.

Nice to know in terms of long-term maintenance, but the most common use case for a swappable battery is increasing usable life.

[tribble]

Originally Posted by geoelectric

Nice to know in terms of long-term maintenance, but the most common use case for a swappable battery is increasing usable life.

What do you need that for if you can use your laptop for whole FIVE hours.

[Mikou]

My concern would be about the warranty. If they're saying the batter is not user replaceable, does opening up the laptop void the warranty? For a laptop that expensive, I would likely get the extended warranty, so it would be vital to know.

Despite all that, the biggest negative for me is the lack of an optical drive.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Mikou

My concern would be about the warranty. If they're saying the batter is not user replaceable, does opening up the laptop void the warranty? For a laptop that expensive, I would likely get the extended warranty, so it would be vital to know.

Despite all that, the biggest negative for me is the lack of an optical drive.

I suspect you could walk into an Apple store and have them swap it while you wait. you can always add a USB drive.

Dale

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by Mikou

My concern would be about the warranty. If they're saying the batter is not user replaceable, does opening up the laptop void the warranty? For a laptop that expensive, I would likely get the extended warranty, so it would be vital to know.

I rather suspect the battery will outlast even the extended warranty.

And if it doesn't ... it ought to be covered by the warranty, right?

[Mikou]

Originally Posted by NatCh

I rather suspect the battery will outlast even the extended warranty.

Hopefully that would be the case, but it hasn't been for me in the past. It's not that the battery stopped working, but that it was holding so little charge that it became inconvenient. While I do have access to Apple Stores, it would involve a little bit of a drive.

Luckily, I'm not in a rush to update my laptop, so I can wait to hear more about this one.

[yvanleterrible]

aPple has a long history against user maintenance. As long as I remember there has always been an 'ostracism' clause for doityourselfers. Adding a drive, memory or plain battery replacement have all been for aPple, cop outs to their warranty responsabilities.

Looking at it from their side, why make a car if you can't be the one to repair its gastank?

Personnally I would suggest to go with their service for a different reason. Even if it costs a few dollars more to replace that power cell than doing it yourself, you will be assured that this toxic object will be disposed of responsibly.

[Mikou]

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Even if it costs a few dollars more to replace that power cell than doing it yourself, you will be assured that this toxic object will be disposed of responsibly.

Good point. The impact on the environment is one of the top reasons I'm waiting. I don't need a new gadget. I just want one.

[DaveNB]

Gizmodo tore into their review unit and took some pics and video. Looks like it's pretty trivial to get into the MacBook Air. Some of the 10 case screws to remove the base/bottom are different sizes and there are 9 screws that hold in the Lithium Polymer battery pack, but it looks pretty easy to do.

The US Gizmodo site has taken down the photos, but they are mirrored here:
http://groups.google.com/group/mac-b...-down-pictures

Dave