Mac Repair London carries out a battery replacement on the MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody from our Central London workshop, for home users and businesses.
The A1286 battery is screwed down with tri-wing screws, so there’s no glue to fight. Ageing batteries swell here as on the 13-inch and can make the trackpad stop clicking. We fit a new battery, reset the SMC and check the charging behaviour before handing it back.
About this model: The 15-inch unibody MacBook Pro (A1286) was the professional’s laptop for four years. It shares the easy-access drive and RAM of the 13-inch but adds a discrete graphics chip, and that’s where the trouble is: the 2011 models with AMD Radeon 6490M, 6750M or 6770M graphics are notorious for GPU failure.
Signs it needs a battery replacement
- Trackpad pushed up by battery
- Short run time
- Not charging past a certain level
- Service battery warning
How we do it
Before quoting, we check the battery’s cycle count and condition, and test the charger and charging port, because a charging fault can look exactly like a dead battery.
On this model the battery is screwed in rather than glued, which makes replacement clean and low-risk.
Once it’s in, we run a charge and discharge check, confirm macOS reports the battery as normal, and send the old one for recycling.
At a glance
| Years | 2008–2012 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo, then Core i5/i7 with NVIDIA or AMD graphics |
| Storage | Standard SATA drive |
| Memory | Socketed, upgradeable |
| Battery | Screwed in (no glue) |
| Power / charging | MagSafe 1 |
Before you bring it in
Check System Information (or System Settings > Battery on newer macOS) for the cycle count and condition, and jot them down. If the case is bulging, stop charging it and bring it in straight away.
Which model do you have?
This page covers the MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody (2008–2012) (MacBookPro5,1 to 9,1; A1286). Open the Apple menu, choose About This Mac, then More Info or System Report. The A-number is also printed in small text on the underside. Not sure? Bring it in and we’ll identify it for you.
Price
We give you a fixed quote for your exact model after a free initial assessment, before any work starts. All prices are subject to inspection, and nothing is done without your approval.
Questions we’re often asked
How long will the new battery last?
A new battery should give you close to the run time it had when new, and typically lasts several years with normal use. Keeping it away from long periods at 100% charge and high heat helps it age more slowly.
Can you fit an SSD while it’s here?
Yes. This model uses a standard sata drive, and swapping to an SSD at the same time is often the best-value upgrade you can make.
How much does it cost?
See the price section above. We always quote before starting, and if we can’t fix it, you don’t pay for the repair.
Book a repair
Call us on 020 7394 2528 or email info@mac-repair.london to arrange a time to drop it off.