MacBook Battery

[64847]

Does anybody have any tips for keeping long battery life for multiple years?

I just bought a new MacBook and I mostly run it on the power cord. I would take the batter out and just run with the cord when I am not going to be mobile, but the meg safe can come out so easy, so that is not a good option.

Should I let the MacBook run on battery power once a day? Or every other day?

Just looking for some tips and methods to try so when a year to two from now I find myself needing to be on battery power for a decent amount of time, I will be able to do so. My old PowerBook worked its battery life down to about 15 minutes.

 

[EricNau]

http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

 

[WildCowboy]

http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

Standard Maintenance
For proper maintenance of a lithium-based battery, it’s important to keep the electrons in it moving occasionally. Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time. An ideal use would be a commuter who uses her MacBook Pro on the train, then plugs it in at the office to charge. This keeps the battery juices flowing. If on the other hand, you use a desktop computer at work, and save a notebook for infrequent travel, Apple recommends charging and discharging its battery at least once per month.

Edit: Nicely done, EricNau...guess I shouldn't have taken the time to add the quote.

 

[64847]

Battery

Yeah I read through this and other battery articles. I was looking to see if anybody had any personal methods that have worked for them. Something they did daily or weekly etc.

Just proven personal methods or tips.

 

[stevejust]

Don't know but I've had my Mac Book Pro since Feb. 22nd, and the battery is done. My computer just shuts off for no reason unless it's plugged in.

Yay for Apple.

And before someone gets all huffy about it being a Rev A and what do you expect for buying a computer the day it comes out... I mean... c'mon. A battery that lasts for 5 months is crap.

 

[WildCowboy]

Contact Apple...they'll get you a new battery or fix the hardware issue if there is one. Problem solved.

 

[Shadow]

I try to charge mine fully, then discharge it fully, rinse, lather and repeat. Always repeat .

 

[stevejust]

I called Apple and all they did was try to get me to reset the PMU and e-mail me articles on resetting the PMU and how to properly calibrate the battery in the first instance. After I did that, it worked for the duration of the support call, but it's messed up again. And believe me, I'm all about calibrating the battery.

You two make it sound like Apple is going to actually care about this problem, but I've seen zero evidence that they're going to do anything for me unless I buy Apple Care, and I think either the PMU controller in the battery's out or there's a problem with the logic board, or both.

I'm completely opposed to paying for an extended warranty service agreement to cover something they need to cover already, legally, whether they want to or not.

 

[EricNau]

I called Apple and all they did was try to get me to reset the PMU and e-mail me articles on resetting the PMU and how to properly calibrate the battery in the first instance. After I did that, it worked for the duration of the support call, but it's messed up again. And believe me, I'm all about calibrating the battery.

You two make it sound like Apple is going to actually care about this problem, but I've seen zero evidence that they're going to do anything for me unless I buy Apple Care, and I think either the PMU controller in the battery's out or there's a problem with the logic board, or both.

I'm completely opposed to paying for an extended warranty service agreement to cover something they need to cover already, legally, whether they want to or not.

Buying AppleCare will make absolutely no difference. AppleCare has no purpose until your initial warranty runs out, until then, you have 100% coverage (with the exception of phone support).

Either call Apple and tell them the steps you have taken that all failed, or bring it into an Apple Store; most likely, you will get a replacement.

 

[eidrunner247]

Buying AppleCare will make absolutely no difference. AppleCare has no purpose until your initial warranty runs out, until then, you have 100% coverage (with the exception of phone support).

Either call Apple and tell them the steps you have taken that all failed, or bring it into an Apple Store; most likely, you will get a replacement.

Correct me if I am wrong, or if you are walking about something different, but Applecare won't cover a battery replacement, unless you manage to make a very convicing case for it. That being said, my ibook battery, is still at almost 70% of it's original life - I think that's decent considering my computer is 50 months old according to Cocunut Battery (and gone through 335 load cycles). I don't manage my life around my battery. If I need to take my laptop somewhere I do. If i don't need to move it for a week, I just leave it plugged in. Whatever, some batteries just have happen to be better than others... luck of the draw.

 

[EricNau]

Correct me if I am wrong, or if you are walking about something different, but Applecare won't cover a battery replacement, unless you manage to make a very convicing case for it. That being said, my ibook battery, is still at almost 70% of it's original life - I think that's decent considering my computer is 50 months old according to Cocunut Battery (and gone through 335 load cycles). I don't manage my life around my battery. If I need to take my laptop somewhere I do. If i don't need to move it for a week, I just leave it plugged in. Whatever, some batteries just have happen to be better than others... luck of the draw.

In stevejust's case, he has only had the battery for less than 5 months, which would mean the battery has a manufacture defect, which is covered.

 

[stevejust]

yes. Apple replaced the battery today. I asked if it had anything to do with my Rev A computer getting so hot, and would the new battery fail as well. They said no.

I'm skeptical, but we shall see.