What battery is compatible with a mid 2010 17 inch macbook pro?

[zippythecellist]

I got a service battery message on my computer...so I went on apple's website and found my model identifier (MC024) and tried to shop for a new battery. But literally every one I'm finding is either for the model before or after mine! So I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I got a service battery message on my computer...so I went on apple's website and found my model identifier (MC024) and tried to shop for a new battery. But literally every one I'm finding is either for the model before or after mine! So I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.

Apple just lists a replacement for the 17" model... no distinguishing between years.
Rechargeable Battery - 17-inch MacBook Pro - Apple Store (U.S.)

Another option (your model should be 6,1):
NewerTech BAP17MBU03H NuPower 103 Watt-Hour Battery... in stock at OWC

 

[zippythecellist]

Yeah, apple's listing was confusing since people in the comments had a bunch of different models. The 2nd link you posted seems like it will work, but it doesn't say how many mAh the battery is. It looks like these batteries are gonna be expensive so I want to make sure I'm getting one that is the same capacity as the original battery. I'm assuming any battery with that A1309 replacement number will work?

edit: Another thing I'm wondering about...is the RAM easy to upgrade too? I was hoping that I could maybe upgrade my RAM to 16 GB, and possibly upgrade the hard drive too.

 

[chscag]

The second battery recommended by member lifeisabeach would by my personal choice. That particular battery is rated higher and should last longer than the Apple replacement battery. OWC does not sell low quality stuff. The choice is yours of course.

 

[pigoo3]

edit: Another thing I'm wondering about...is the RAM easy to upgrade too? I was hoping that I could maybe upgrade my RAM to 16 GB, and possibly upgrade the hard drive too.

Ram upgrading in a 2010 17" MacBook Pro is fairly straight forward. Max ram for this model is 8gig.

- Nick

 

[zippythecellist]

Yeah, I'm definitely not cheaping out the battery. The ones I'm finding on amazon don't exactly have a ton of good reviews. I've never actually opened up my computer though, so I hope I don't fry my macbook. It needs to last until apple makes another 17 inch! (or until my music software requirements force me to stop being stubborn about downgrading to a 15 inch...haha)

And Nick, is there really no way to upgrade the ram further? I don't know what else besides upgrading that and maybe the hard drive could improve my computer's performance, so I was hoping it was actually possible.

 

[pigoo3]

It needs to last until apple makes another 17 inch! ...

Don't hold your breath waiting on this. Your face is going to turn a deep deep deep blue if you do!

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

+1 for the Newertech batteries that was mentioned above.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Agreed with chscag. I'd go with the OWC battery. They specialize in Mac upgrades (ditto for RAM). As far as the RAM goes, the upgrade is easy. Just replace all of the RAM, not just add more, to eliminate any incompatibility issues. See iFixIt for a replacement guide.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+17-Inch+Unibody+RAM+Replacement/3419

 

[zippythecellist]

Ok, thanks for the help on the battery guys. If 8GB is the max my model can have, is it possible to maybe get a faster model of ram sticks?

 

[pigoo3]

Ok, thanks for the help on the battery guys. If 8GB is the max my model can have, is it possible to maybe get a faster model of ram sticks?

Just get the ram recommended for this computer model.

- Nick

 

[MBP17•David]

I have the same MBP model (6,1) and am going to order OWC battery shortly, even though mine is still in pretty good shape - I've read too many stories of old Li-Polymer batteries expanding and pushing the touchpad out, etc. It might be my imagination, but I think the near right-hand corner used to seat 0.5mm deeper

OWC have an excellent video tutorial on their NewerTech BAP17MBU03H page, step-by-step replacement procedure, couldn't be clearer.

Yes, unfortunately, 8GB is the maximum RAM our models can take, so providing you already have it installed, and are looking to increase performance, an SSD from the same OWC will give your MBP a considerable boost.

 

[pm-r]

I was going to suggest looking at some of the SSDs while they are shopping for RAM and battery replacement as it's always a lot easier to get someone to spend their money rather than one' s own.

But a good suggestion never the less.

 

[zippythecellist]

I thought SSD's had a higher fail rate though. Are they really more faster than regular hard drives?

 

[pigoo3]

Are they really more faster than regular hard drives?

An SSD compared to regular HD…is wayyy faster!

Give this a read:

http://macintoshhowto.com/hardware/how-to-speed-up-your-mac-with-a-ssd-drive.html

Many folks have reported boot times closer to 15 seconds.

- Nick

 

[zippythecellist]

But that pricetag though...unless if I'm searching for the wrong thing, $500 for 1TB is kind of a lot! What's the difference between a solid state hybrid and a regular SSD? I'm probably going to have to get a hybrid because of the huge price difference.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

But that pricetag though...unless if I'm searching for the wrong thing, $500 for 1TB is kind of a lot! What's the difference between a solid state hybrid and a regular SSD? I'm probably going to have to get a hybrid because of the huge price difference.

Do what I did in my iMac: replace your DVD drive with a 256 GB SSD (or even 128 GB) and keep your HDD. Install the OS on the SSD, but move some selected files/folders to the HDD, like the iTunes Media folder. I moved my iPhone/iPad backups directory to my HDD also since those take up a lot of space. Otherworld Computing sells kits to put the SSD in that space.

 

[pigoo3]

But that pricetag though...unless if I'm searching for the wrong thing, $500 for 1TB is kind of a lot!

Yes…$$$/gigabyte…SSD's are much more expensive than regular HD's. If SSD's weren't much more than regular HD's…then everyone would have one…and regular HD's would be practically obsolete.

But again…with an SSD you're getting something for your money…blazing speed vs. a regular HD. Like a lot of "newer" technology…prices will come down. SSD's prices now are MUCH better than they were just 2 years ago.

That same 1TB SSD you mentioned for $500. 2 years ago it would have been $1000+…maybe even as high as $1500.

- Nick