I have a 2009 MacBook, and I recently took it to an Apple Store because the battery wasn't holding charge while asleep.
It had a surprisingly low number of cycles -- around 30 -- so Apple gave me a new one, free of charge.
You may find that Apple will replace yours too, even if you're out of warrantee.

I realise you're a long way from an Apple Store, but if you're going that way in the near future...

Just for the record I'm in Darwin - capital of the Northern Territory (Australia).

Not sure this is the way to go but I've seen a guy here with a MacBook and I could ask him if I can hook his adaptor up to make sure it is a battery problem.

I'm assuming that with the adaptor light showing green and it not charging then it is the battery - ?????

As far as not using the laptop while I get a new battery - can I just take the battery out and continue to use the laptop?

The Short Answer to your question is yes, could use the Computer with out the battery. Whether Apple would take the Battery back without the computer to state its charge cycles is another matter. Not sure if there is firmware in the battery that can keep that info. I think the computer keeps that info.

Its not the charger. You would have to borrow someones battery to proove something weird was not going on (unlikely) in your computer


Here is a look up for Apple Authorized Service by you I saw two in the 5 to 8 Km range of Darwin

http://www.apple.com/au/service/

Thanks immensely for all the postings. I never cease to be amazed how helpful and patient you guys are.

Much appreciated. :)
Grahame

POSTSCRIPT

I was in Perth for Easter and took the MacBook to the Apple Store. The diagnostic agreed that the battery had only done 44 cycles but the reason for its failure was not related to the no of cycles. Thus out of warranty, thus no free replacement.

New battery $150 - which is dearer than online alternatives - but with warranty, fitted on the spot etc. Plus they sorted a couple of minor issues (screen resolution etc) for me. Not the cheapest but the easiest solution.

Cheers, and thanks again.
Grahame

PS: this time I will be following the manual and giving the electrons a bit of exercise!! :)

Ekk Pretty penny. Was that Aussie dollars... Ah never mind their pretty close.
At the moment a quick look up: 1 Australian dollar = 1.0292 US dollars.

At least it is working. And truthfully Im sure shipping would have brought the price closer to parity at least the macsales one. I usually do not like to throw money had older computers but a battery and a portable is really a necessity and makes using the system suit its purpose of being mobile.

What was their explanation of the failure of the battery? An Actual Apple store might have had more leeway to be generous. An Authorized service center does not usually have the same leeway. Apple Phone support might have been a way to get one shipped to you free, but immediate gratification can be good.

It was an actual Apple Store (in Perth). The explanation was just that the battery was U/S - and not related to no of cycles. The technician said she would be bound by the diagnostic result - and it showed the battery was U/S. As to why is was U/S ... well I don't know. But she certainly wasn't moved by any pleas that it had only done 44 cycles.
In fact she strongly suggested to get better life I should follow the recommendations on the Apple website i.e. monthly discharge etc. She said contrary to common opinion these Lithium batteries do get a memory. Apparently the newer ones don't.

And it was an experience going to the Apple Store - it looked like there was new release happening or even a convention - nope just a normal Saturday!!

Cheers, and again thanks, Grahame

Hmm
 

Well Lion batteries do not have a memory effect they do not need to be fully discharged and then recharged like Nickel Cadium used to be. They do need to be used periodically, at least a little bit. I think the circuitry in most of the computers, Ipads, phones etc. do do some discharging and recharging for that purpose keeping them "almost" fully charged discharging them a bit over and over again. I do not know when Apple or other manufactures started doing that.

The newer Macbook Pros with case less batteries introduced in 2010 I believe were pro-ported to have double the lifespan. 1000 Charge/Discharge Cycles instead of 500. I still think Apple and others recommend using the batteries.

Memory effect is based on battery technology, and Lithium batteries do not have memory effect, no matter what some technician told you. Old or new, big or small, Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer, it's true of any Lithium battery--no memory effect.

The monthly discharge recommendation from Apple is so that the tiny microcontroller in the battery can correctly report the remaining battery capacity. The procedure 'calibrates' what that microcontroller can see and report. Not allowing a full discharge does not negatively affect battery life, it just means that the battery doesn't necessarily report correct information.

It is true that with Lithium batteries, you need to allow the battery to power the device sometimes, keeping a laptop always-plugged in will negatively affect battery life. But this is not the same thing as requiring a full discharge.

Trevor

Like the way you said it better:)