How to check cycle count in 10 seconds
Apple menu → About This Mac → More Info → System Report → Power. The 'Cycle Count' field shows how many full charge/discharge cycles the battery has done. A 'cycle' = 100% of total capacity used (could be 100→0 once, or 100→50 twice).
On the same screen you see 'Maximum Capacity' or 'Condition'. Apple rates batteries for 1,000 cycles before they drop below 80% capacity.
Cycle count by Mac age
A typical Pakistani user puts 300–500 cycles on a Mac per year of normal use. So expect:
1-year-old Mac: under 400 cycles, capacity 92%+. 2 years old: 500–700, 88%+. 3 years old: 800–1000, 82%+. 4+ years: usually 1000+ and ready for a swap.
What to walk away from
Mac claimed to be '1 year old' with 800+ cycles → either misrepresented age or used as a heavy desktop replacement; battery has years of damage. Mac claiming 'unused' with under 50 cycles but visible wear → swapped logic board or refurbished chassis.
Capacity under 75% on a Mac under 3 years old → factor PKR 15,000–20,000 into the purchase price for an upcoming replacement. If the seller won't budge, walk away.
When 'Service Recommended' isn't a deal-breaker
If the Mac is 4+ years old, has 1000+ cycles, and the price reflects this (PKR 15–20k below comparable units), 'Service Recommended' just means 'this needs a battery soon'. We replace these for PKR 12,000–22,000 with genuine cells and a 90-day warranty.
Sometimes the seller's price minus a known-battery-replacement-cost is still the best deal on the market. Don't reject a Mac just because the battery is tired — factor it into the math.