[The Godfather]

Hmmm, the battery menu just started showing this item today.

Too... convenient...

I wonder if Apple will keep using these tricks to get us onto paying for new hardware.

Or was "Replace soon" their way to communicate that new 13" models were just around the corner?

[mduell]

Try the SMC reset recommended in the knowledge base article.

[OreoCookie]

It's not a trick.
Modern Li ion batteries keep track of their health. My dslr's batteries do the same. I recommend you download a free tool called cocoanutbattery, but typically Apple's replace battery warning should be taken seriously. It displays the current battery capacity, the original battery capacity and load cycles, for instance.

Resetting the smc may help a little, but if your battery has undergone more than 1000 load cycles, it needs to be replaced (if you want to use your ProBook without a power adapter, that is).

[SierraDragon]

Note that when batteries fail they sometimes do so catastrophically. Last month my 2007 MBP battery fell out in airport security and would not fit back into the slot. Two hours later it was swollen by a full centimeter, and could easily have leaked and damaged the MBP (except that i had it separated in a plastic bag). If it is an old battery and the software says replace it I would do so.

Also I guess I am lucky that the TSA morons did not jail me for carrying on a hazmat...

-Allen