Lights on the MacBook's battery

[HckySo]

So I was using my MacBook in my bed and I noticed this green glow coming from the bottom. I looked at it and there were five green lights, one of them was blinking. Does this tell me about the CPU usage? how full the battery is? Funny, I've used a PowerBook in the dark before but never noticed if it had anything like this. I can upload pictures if you need.

 

[jsw]

It shows you how full the battery is. That's all - you must've pressed the button to do so. The PowerBook batteries have the same feature.

 

[kretzy]

It indicates the charge of the battery. If the battery is actually charging the lights will even flash.

 

[elbirth]

Like others said, it tells the charge of the battery. In case you're curious why they'd do this, it's so if you have multiple batteries, you can see how full one is before you grab it and plug it in... eliminates you having to put in a battery and turn the computer back on to see how full it is, thus wasting time. It doesn't have to be in the laptop to have the lights function.

 

[Makosuke]

Those lights have been on Apple PowerBook batteries at least as far back as the G3 series. They are, I believe, always on when the battery is being actively charged, but go off once it's fully charged or when it isn't being charged (unless you push the button of course).

 

[RedTomato]

I love these lights, they're so funky.

Sometimes I press the button just for the hell of it

People are always impressed when I show it to them.

(as the actress said to the bishop...)

xoxo RedTomato

 

[iGary]

Hey, those lights tell you the status of your battery.

 

[Miguey]

I just love pressing the button on my ibook, its so adddicting!

 

[dpaanlka]

Those lights have been on Apple PowerBook batteries at least as far back as the G3 series. They are, I believe, always on when the battery is being actively charged, but go off once it's fully charged or when it isn't being charged (unless you push the button of course).

My PowerBook 190cs battery has them even. PowerBook 1400 does not. 3400 does. G3 Wallstreet did. Clamshell iBook 366 did not.

 

[craigatkinson]

Powerbook lights

I just got a macbook and noticed the lights when it was plugged in as well. I had a powerbook before this and knew the ability to check the status, but I never saw them glowing when the computer was plugged in. I wonder if this is something new.

 

[Makosuke]

I had a powerbook before this and knew the ability to check the status, but I never saw them glowing when the computer was plugged in. I wonder if this is something new.

Like I said, 99% sure it's not. I know the G3 PBs did it, the 12" Al PB I was just working on did it, and while I haven't checked on my MBP, I'm assuming it does too. You know it's charging because whatever the highest light is flashes to indicate it.

When did the iBooks start getting this feature? I remember the toilet seat ones had those funky long batteries and didn't, but I can't remember the early white ones...