[Yakusoya]

Hi guys. I have an early 2008 MBP (MacBookPro4,1) and have used it for a little over 4 years. I just noticed I am getting a "Service Battery" alert in the battery drop down menu. I didn't buy Apple Care so I don't think they'll be giving me a free replacement, saving me a trip to the Apple Store... Since I'm using it as a desktop and always have it plugged in, is it worth getting a replacement? Will the battery explode? It's not bulging or anything. Again, I don't use it portable at all, is it all right to run it plugged in despite the alert?

[kenna]

I don't know whether it will explode or not (I doubt it very much).

I sold my Black 2008 MacBook when this occurred to mine. The owner (who's still very happy with their purchase), still uses it like a desktop and hasn't replaced the battery. They report no problems and they've been using it like that for a year. So I'd rest assured, personally.

[Athens]

Generally speaking it wont explode. Most of the time when they explode its a defect in the battery or damage and you will see signs of bubbling. What you will fine is that the computer might start running slow over a near dead battery. If you only use it as a desktop and the battery is no good its best to just recycle it, because any battery has the potential to go bad. I've been running my 2008 Macbook Pro with no battery for a couple years now. The first battery went bad with in the first year of the warranty, the replacement went bad in 2 months of that. Applecare only replaces one battery so I never bothered.