iPod Users Get Official Battery Replacement 93
turkmenistani writes "It's about time. After much complaining from iPod owners, Apple has finally started an official Official iPod Battery replacement
(requires a free Apple ID). Although battery replacements have been available for older iPods for some time now, Apple has finally taken heed to their user requests and are now offering the service. From the Support page: 'If your iPod fails to hold a charge and it's more than a year old, you may need a new battery. Click Continue to order iPod battery service for $99 USD. This program is not available in Europe at this time.' Although the service is $99, they state in the article 'iPod equipment that is sent in for battery service or service requiring other repairs will be replaced with functionally equivalent new, used, or refurbished iPod equipment. You will not receive the same iPod that was sent in for service.'
So make sure you back up that music before shipping it off!"
Re:This makes a lot of sense (Score:2, Informative)
Also getting a refurbed iPod back is not a bad thing. Apple's refurbed products have the same testing & quality requirements before being shipped out as their new equipment does (same warranty too). I recently bought a refurbed 12" PowerBook and a refurbed 20GB iPod (old style), and I've been extremely happy with both. I honestly wouldn't have known that either weren't brand new if they didn't have the red "Reconditioned Product" stickers on the boxes. I saved over $500 as compared to buying the two items new.
Well. Uh... cool? (Score:5, Informative)
Well. That's nice if your battery is dead, but just how many iPods are there with dead batteries anyway? I have had my own iPod for over a year now, and the battery is just fine even though I listen to the iPod daily. One charge lasts to me about 10 hours.
iPodlounge has btw some tips [ipodlounge.com] how to recharge and use the iPod to maximaze battery lifetime.
Re:This is bullshit (Score:5, Informative)
Engraved ones are handled differently--the one you get back will have the same engraving.
I've had my iPod replaced before, and the replacement looked identical to a new iPod, to my eyes. I think your concerns are pretty unfounded.
Article forgot to mention.. (Score:4, Informative)
Apple just began selling extended coverage for iPod. @ $59 USD. As for the battery, it can be obtained cheaper from ipodbattery.com; unlike in the past, now they sell all generation replacement batteries.
Hope this helps.
Comment removed (Score:3, Informative)
AppleCare cost/benefit advantage (Score:3, Informative)
What's more, they'll replace your iPod's battery if it is at least 50% depleted under AppleCare. But then again, the iPod Battery Replacement Program linked above costs $99.
AppleCare available for iPods as well, $59. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:$99? (Score:5, Informative)
Minimum of a year's worth of batteries. Let's be generous and say two AAs.
Ten hours of play a day, for three hundred sixty-five days. If one set of batteries, let's say, lasts for two of those charges, and you listen for five hours a day on average, you're looking at buying about ninety pair of AAs a year. At two bucks a pop--minimum, for good 2-packs of AA batteries, that's more than you pay for the replacement battery which will give you a year of play, in theory, at the minimum. And it doesn't waste battery carcasses, which is good for the environment.
Now, if I've underestimated how long the batteries would drive an iPod, let's double their life up there. That cuts your yearly AA pair consumption in half, to about 45. That's
How is this highway robbery?
Postscript: Long day. Math may be wrong. Please do not flame. Thanks, Management.
no issue (Score:4, Informative)
Re:AppleCare cost/benefit advantage (Score:3, Informative)
Given that rechargeable batteries are considered defect from a technical point of view if they have lost ~ 25% of their capacity, that's a bad deal for the customer.
Re:engraved iPods could be a problem (Score:3, Informative)
For $50 and you can install it yourself [ipodbattery.com].
Re:What about personalization? (Score:3, Informative)
APPLE COMPUTER, INC.
REPAIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
IMPORTANT: BY CLICKING ON THE "I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO THE REPAIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS" STATEMENT BELOW YOU AGREE THAT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS GOVERN THE REPAIR OF YOUR PRODUCT BY APPLE COMPUTER, INC. ("APPLE")
Apple will repair your product as described and for the charges offered to you (unless such charges are revised with your prior oral or written consent). When the product repair is covered by warranty, Apple will perform repairs under the warranty. You must provide proof of the product's eligibility for warranty repairs. Apple may subcontract with other service providers for the repair of your product.
Unless your product is repaired under warranty without charge to you, you will pay Apple the amount shown. Your payment is due when the product is returned to you. Apple's estimate of costs includes all parts, labor, and certain transportation required for the repair of the product excluding any applicable sales tax.
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If Apple determines, while inspecting your product, that repairs are needed due to failures of parts that are neither supplied by Apple nor Apple-branded, Apple will return the product to you without repairing it, and may charge you a diagnostic feeand shipping costs, plus any applicable sales tax.
If the requested repairs require labor not specified in your estimate, Apple will ask for your approval of a revised estimate. If you do not agree that Apple may revise the charges, Apple may return your product and charge you a diagnostic fee, and shipping costs, plus any applicable sales tax.
Apple reserves the right to refuse repair service on products that are damaged due to accident, abuse, misuse, and misapplication, and in such event, Apple will return the product to you without repairing it, and may hold you responsible for a diagnostic fee and shipping costs, plus any applicable sales tax.
If Apple repairs your product under your product's warranty, if the terms of the warranty permit, Apple may use new or reconditioned parts. If Apple repairs your product outside of warranty, Apple may use new or reconditioned parts. Apple will retain the replaced part that is exchanged under repair service as its property, and the replacement part will become your property. Replaced items are generally repairable and are exchanged or repaired by Apple for value. If applicable law requires Apple to return a replaced item to you, you agree to pay Apple the additional cost of the replacement item.
If Apple repairs your product under warranty, the repairs will be covered solely by the terms of the warranty and applicable provisions of law. If your product is repaired outside of warranty, Apple warrants (1) that the repairs will be performed in a workmanlike manner and (2) that all parts will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for ninety (90) days from the date of the repair service. The warranty on parts is an express limited warranty. If a defect exists in a replacement part during the part's warranty period, at its option, Apple will (i) repair the part, using new or refurbished replacement parts, or (ii) replace the part with a new or refurbished equivalent part, or (iii) refund the fair market value of the part.
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