Mac Repair London carries out a battery replacement on the MacBook (white & black, 2006–2010) from our Central London workshop, for home users and businesses.
On the A1181 the battery is removable with a coin, and on the A1342 it sits under the base with a few screws, so replacement is quick on both. Batteries of this age are almost always well past their rated cycles, and a swollen battery can push up the trackpad or crack the case. Apple stopped making batteries for these MacBooks long ago, so we fit a new, good-quality cell pack, tell you so before starting, and dispose of the old one safely. If the charger or MagSafe board is the real problem we tell you before selling you a battery.
About this model: The white and black polycarbonate MacBook was Apple’s first Intel notebook and sold in huge numbers, so plenty are still in use. The A1181 models are known for cracked or discoloured palm rests and for batteries that swell.
Signs it needs a battery replacement
- Battery shows ‘Service Battery’ or ‘Replace Now’
- Trackpad clicking badly because a battery is swelling beneath it
- MacBook only runs on mains power
- Battery not detected
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 removable, so the replacement itself is quick. We still test the new pack’s charge and discharge before handing it back.
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 | 2006–2010 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Duo / Core 2 Duo |
| Storage | Standard SATA drive |
| Memory | Socketed, upgradeable |
| Battery | Removable |
| 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 white & black polycarbonate (13-inch, 2006–2010) (MacBook1,1 to MacBook7,1; A1181 and A1342). 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 before any work starts.Apple battery model: A1185 (A1181 models), A1331 (A1342 models) 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.
Do you use genuine Apple parts?
Yes, wherever they still exist. For a Mac this age Apple no longer makes many parts, so we fit genuine Apple parts recovered from donor machines and tested before fitting. Where no genuine part is available at all, which mostly applies to batteries, we tell you before any work starts.
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.