Skip to main content

Apple-Supplied MacBook Battery Weight Matters

I buy a lot of aftermarket batteries for MacBooks, and judging by weight, it is very clear that 3rd party batteries are significantly lighter than the originals.

That means that the aftermarket batteries simply cannot provide as much power.

Analysis:

There are three major parts to a laptop battery:
  • The housing, made of plastic and/or aluminum
  • The battery management electronics and power connector
  • The lithium cells
So let's think of everything that makes up a battery except the lithium cells: It seems like a good bet that a genuine Apple battery's housing and electronics has roughly the same weight as an aftermarket battery.  For argument's sake, let's say that a battery unit weights 100 grams PLUS the weight of the cells.

That implies that a lighter battery has smaller (or fewer) cells!

For example, I have a genuine MacBook battery that weights 364 grams.  My aftermarket battery weighs 230 grams.  Assuming that 100 grams is for non-cell componentry, that means the genuine battery has 264 grams of energy cells versus 130 grams of energy cells for the aftermarket battery. 

Doing the math, that means that a genuine MacBook battery has more than twice the battery than the aftermarket battery.  Although the batteries are rated the same, it is virtually impossible that these devices actually deliver the same power.

What about my battery?

Each factory-delivered Apple battery model has a weight.  Below is a list of original MacBook batteries that I've measured.  Check to see how your MacBook battery measures up!

MacBook Air, 13 inch 

Apple Battery Model Number: A1405
Power Label: 7.3VDC, 50Wh, 6700mAh
Official Battery's Weight: 296 grams (Source: MacBook Air 13-inch (mid-2012) 020-7379-A)

All of these MacBook Air models use the A1405 form factor:
  • Apple MacBook Air 13 inch, Late 2010
  • Apple MacBook Air 13 inch, Mid 2011
  • Apple MacBook Air 13 inch, Mid 2012
  • Apple MacBook Air 13 inch, Mid 2013
  • Apple MacBook Air 13 inch, Early 2014
  • Apple MacBook Air 13 inch, Early 2015

MacBook Pro, 15 inch Unibody

Apple Battery Model Number:  A1321
Power Label: 10.95 VDC, 73 Wh
Official Battery's Weight: 450 grams (Source: MacBook Pro 15-inch (mid-2009) 020-6380-A)

The following MacBook Pro models use the A1321 form factor:
  • MacBook Pro 15.4 inch, Mid 2009
  • MacBook Pro 15.4 inch, Mid 2010

MacBook Pro, 13 inch Unibody

Apple Battery Model Number:  A
Power Label: 10.95 VDC, 73 Wh
Official Battery's Weight: 450 grams (Source: MacBook Pro 13-inch (mid-2009) 020-6380-A)

The following MacBook Pro models use the A1321 form factor:
  • MacBook Pro 15.4 inch, Mid 2009
  • MacBook Pro 15.4 inch, Mid 2010
Aftermarket Weight:

MacBook, 13 inch Unibody (white)

Apple Battery Model Number:  A1331
Power Label:10.95 VDC, 63.5 Wh
Official Battery's Weight: 364 grams (Source: Three MacBook 13-inch (mid-2010) 020-6809-A batteries)

The following MacBook models use the A1331 form factor:
  • MacBook 13 inch, Late 2009
  • MacBook 13 inch, Mid 2010
My aftermarket A1331 compatible battery:
Rating Label Claim: 10.95V, 5800mAh/63.5Wh
Weight is 270 grams.

My latest aftermarket A1331 compatible battery:
Rating Label Claim: 10.95V, 5800mAh/63.5Wh
Weight is 230 grams.  Atrocious!

MacBook, 13 inch (white, non-Unibody)

I haven't measured a genuine Apple battery for these models, but I do have details for my aftermarket battery.  If you have a genuine Apple battery, please let me know the details!

Apple Battery Model Number: A1185
Power Label:
Official Battery's Weight: ??? grams (Source: Maybe you?  Let me know!)

The following MacBook models use the A1185 form factor:
  • MacBook 13 inch, 2006 through mid-2009
My aftermarket A1185 compatible battery:
Rating Label Claim: 10.8V, 5600mAh/60Wh
Weight is 280 grams.
Note: the aftermarket battery has a housing that is all plastic, instead of partially aluminum

Popular posts from this blog

Fixing a SodaStream Jet, part 1: Disassembly Guide

I've had my SodaStream Jet for years, and once in a while something has gone wrong. Disassembly is the first step to repair.  Start with this article to see how to disassemble the SodaStream, and then once you have that down, scroll through my other articles to see how I repaired specfic SodaStream problems. SodaStream Jet Disassembly Guide Tools Required Flat head screwdriver Phillips head screwdriver 1. Remove the Carbonator.  Duh. 2. Remove the black panel lever The front big black tilt lever needs to be removed first. Removing this panel is tricky, but it isn't impossible. Looking up at the bottom of the black panel, there are two tabs, one on the left and one on the right. These tabs fully secure the panel in place. The trick is to use a flat-head screwdriver under the plastic to gently lever the tabs out of the way.  Note in the pictures how I approach these tabs with my screwdriver.  I usually release the left side first, and then I release ...
Read more

Fixing my Wahl 9918 Groomsman Beard and Mustache Trimmer

Not everyone would bother repairing a $25 beard trimmer, but why not fix something for under $5 instead of spending another $25? My  Wahl 9918 Groomsman Beard and Mustache Trimmer  has admirably performed its beauty duty for many years, but the time came when the battery just wasn't holding a charge any more.  Most people would just put the trimmer in the trash and buy a new one, but I figured I could repair my otherwise excellent Wahl and save some money. In fact, even high priced trimmer and rotary shaver brands, like Norelco and Remington, can be easily repaired using a process similar to the one I used to fix my Wahl.  Read on to find out how. I opened up the Wahl by popping off the black plastic faceplate with a tiny flathead screwdriver, which revealed two screws.  By removing the two screws I was able to easily open up the unit, revealing the guts of the device. Backplate off, Revealing the screws The internals are rather simple: a motor, a...
Read more

Robust Installation of an HDHomeRun Networked TV Tuner. 64 OTA channels!

I added an HDHomerun (HDHR) over-the-air (OTA) streaming box to my home network, bringing over-the-air broadcast TV to my computers, phones and tablets.  The HDHR is a big upgrade from my previous setup: using a simple "window mount" antenna directly connected to my TV. A TV-attached antenna is good for watching some TV for free, but the HDHR offers so much more flexibility. Figure 0: HDHomeRun on my basement wall   My original OTA TV setup was haphazard at best. It was finicky, ugly, and hard for other people at home to use. I would actually tape my antenna to a window whenever I wanted to watch OTA TV. Plus, it only worked on my TV and not with my other devices. I wanted a cleaner and more modern OTA setup. After looking at possibilities, I developed two goals: (1) bring my OTA TV into the modern Internet-connected era, and (2) set it up in a reliable and pretty way so that other family members wouldn't have to fool around with the antenna or anything else.  With that,...
Read more

Sodastream Carbonator Leakage, Usage, and Weight

SodaStream 60L "Carbonator" CO2 cylinders have a specific weight when empty, plus about 410 or so grams for the CO2 they should have when they're "full".  A little while ago I went to buy a replacement Carbonator from my local hardware store. The dealer pulled a new Carbonator out of the box and sensed it was lighter than usual.  He put the "light" Carbonator in the "empty" pile and sold me a different one.  At that moment I concluded that it would be smart of me to weigh both new and empty SodaStream carbonators.  Here are the results. Weighing a SodaStream Carbonator - for both Science and Consumer Protection.       The dealer told me that sometimes the carbonators leak after they leave the SodaStream filling facility.  That means there could be an opportunity for customers like me to get ripped off! The SodaStream cylinders I buy claim to have a net product weight of 410 grams - and that means that a full Soda Stream Carbonator shou...
Read more

The Yamaha DD-65 and YDD-60 Digital Drums

Almost everyone I know who is into drums should get their hands on the Yamaha DD65 . It's a low cost, fun little kit that you can throw in your car to jam with your buddies. It's a lot easier than throwing your gear in your Subaru. The DD-65, also known as the YDD-60. Eight pads in a pretty package. I've owned the older, venerable DD-55 for about five years. The DD-55 is the ancestor of the newer DD-65, and is an evolution of the DD-50, which was first released some time in the mid 1990s. I just put my DD-55 on this light snare drum stand it's ready for some jamming. The classic DD-55. Seven pads of rockin' fun, since about 2001. Yes, everyone will tell you that the DD-55 isn't actually a real drum kit. No kidding. However, a skilled drummer can get some great sound out of this little box, and you can definitely keep the band together with it. Plus, it's perfect for apartment living.
Read more

Dustbuster Switch Repair

My Dustbuster vacuum - a CHV-1410, gets a lot of use.  We use it several times per day, every day.  It is a workhorse. Sadly, it was becoming unreliable.  It would be fully charged, and I'd hit the switch and maybe it would begin to start and then stop, or it would lurch and stop - or maybe it would do nothing. My CHV-1410 had a broken switch At first I thought it was the battery, but then I found that by carefully wiggling the switch I was sometimes able to get the vacuum to work.  All that on-off action over the years made the switch unreliable. Instead of throwing away an otherwise perfectly good vacuum, I decided to replace the worn switch.  It's an easy and worthwhile repair with the right part. The one special part needed: A specific $5 Switch There seems to be two types of switches used in these, based on the charging mechanism: For the Lithium models (CHV-1410L and similar), I notice that there are only two conductors are attached to the sw...
Read more

Other Posts

Show more