Good but not perfect
TL;DR
+ Rapid Delivery
+ Excellent Packaging
+ Simple Installation
- Slower Charging
- Less Capacity (84% – but I still get 4 hours under light load)
- Temperature sensors no longer work (practically not important)
+ Overall excellent value for money for such an old part, especially if you love your MBP.
My battery was delivered within two days. Packaging was excellent, and the battery was externally in immaculate condition. Included were two small screwdrivers needed for the installation.
This battery replaced the slightly swollen original battery in my 2011 MacBook Pro. I followed the instructions for installing and calibrating the battery to a tee, provided by OWC/MacSales here: [links not allowed – the video is on YouTube and is called "How to Replace the Battery in a 17-inch MacBook Pro 2011 (Updated)", published on Apr 18, 2016]
Overall, this battery works well enough for my needs, but it's noticeably slower to charge, and the full charge capacity (as shown in Apple's System Information app in Mac OS X Mavericks) is indicated at 7156mAh, 84% of the advertised 8460mAh, less than two weeks after installing, but this could be a calibration inaccuracy. I can't be sure because I never took precise measurements before and I rarely use my MacBook Pro unplugged. I still get about 4 hours of battery life under light load so I'm not too bothered.
Also, I'm not sure if the battery temperature sensors are supposed to be in the battery, or part of the MacBook Pro, but regardless, since installing this battery my sensor readings no longer work. They report 25°C at all times, when actual temperatures certainly differ (e.g. booting from cold in the morning versus maximum CPU/GPU load while sitting on my lap). I used iStat Menus to record and graph temperature readings over a 7 week period both before and after replacing the original battery, and temperature did vary before, whereas it never has after. However, it's only a minor issue, since most likely overheating will never be an issue with this computer, and the swelling in my original battery likely occurred as a result of blunt force impact. *ahem*
Overall I'm quite pleased with this purchase as it has extended the longevity of my trusty 2011 MBP (17-inch, A1297), which is still unparalleled by many laptops in its category today. The overall design is just great.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
