Macbook Pro Battery Capacity

[vysecurity]

I consistently invest in AppleCare+ for all my Apple products, expecting that part of the cost might be recouped through a battery replacement. However, Apple specifies that a replacement is only provided if the battery capacity drops below 80%, a feature promoted as a primary 'benefit' of the AppleCare+ plan.

As I near the end of yet another AppleCare+ coverage period, my device’s battery health remains steady at 84%. Remarkably, it has held at this level for over a year.

Does anyone have insights or recommendations on how to reduce this remaining 4%? Despite using the device both plugged in and on battery power periodically over the past year or more, I’ve been unable to lower the capacity further.

 

[PotentPeas]

Just charge and discharge as much as you can. Run something computationally intensive like Cinebench in a loop to drain the battery more quickly, you should be able to go through multiple cycles in a day.

Alternatively, you can extend your AppleCare+ period (cost varies depending on which system you have) and keep it at least until you need to replace the battery once. (I am planning to keep my system covered even after the initial 3 years is up ...)

 

[Apple_Robert]

You pay extra for AC+, aren't wiling to cover the cost of a battery, and want to prematurely age the battery so you can try and get Apple to pay for a new battery.

I disagree with this kind of mindset.

Apple doesn't go by what the battery percentage shows on the Mac. They have their own testing device that determines the status of the battery and whether or not a battery needs to be replaced.

 

[MacCheetah3]

As I near the end of yet another AppleCare+ coverage period, my device’s battery health remains steady at 84%. Remarkably, it has held at this level for over a year.

Does anyone have insights or recommendations on how to reduce this remaining 4%?

If you haven’t (in a while), perform a battery (re)calibration:

For laptops:

1. Charge it to 100%, and keep charging it for at least two more hours.
2. Unplug your laptop and use it normally to drain the battery.
3. Save your work when you see the low battery warning.
4. Keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery.
5. Wait at least five hours thirty minutes, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%. *

Apple MacBooks with Thunderbolt 3 ports running macOS Catalina 10.15.5 or newer have a battery health management feature that can prevent the MacBook from charging to 100%. If your MacBook has this feature, turn it off turn off optimized battery charging before beginning calibration.

It’s best to perform this process periodically (about once a month) to ensure that the battery remains properly calibrated throughout its lifespan.

* You can use your MacBook while it charges, just don’t disconnect the charger until you repeat step 1.

The guesstimated health probably won’t change, though it could:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/an-iphone-battery-can-last-much-more-than-1000-cycles.2399531/post-32407273

 

[vysecurity]

You pay extra for AC+, aren't wiling to to cover the cost of a battery, and want to prematurely age the battery so you can try and get Apple to pay for a new battery.

I disagree with this kind of mindset.

Apple doesn't go by what the battery percentage shows on the Mac. They have their own testing device that determines the status of the battery and whether or not a battery needs to be replaced.

They actually mention it being a selling point of the AppleCare+... and mention that there's no way it won't reach 80% within the span of AC+. So false advertising or what? I don't know.

 

[kitKAC]

They actually mention it being a selling point of the AppleCare+... and mention that there's no way it won't reach 80% within the span of AC+. So false advertising or what? I don't know.

My 2018 13" MacBook Pro is currently on its 2nd battery, I got it replaced under AppleCare July 2021 (just before it expired in August). My CoconutBattery history says it was at ~76% health before it got replaced (and macOS was showing a Service Battery warning at the time).

So, not false advertising.

 

[MacCheetah3]

They actually mention it being a selling point of the AppleCare+

Of course, however, unless I’m mistaken, not the primary reason for quite some time.

In fact, if we look at the marketing:
The first paragraph:

Because Apple makes the hardware, the operating systems, and many applications, our experts understand how everything works together and can help resolve most issues in a single conversation.

Basically, tech support.

The second section:

Enjoy peace of mind when you buy AppleCare+ for Mac.​

Every Mac comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through its limited warrantyand up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. AppleCare+ for Mac extends your coverage from your AppleCare+ purchase date and includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax.1 In addition, you’ll get 24/7 priority access to Apple experts by chat or phone.2

In other words, lower costs for “Oh, ****!” moments (i.e., accidental damage).

... and mention that there's no way it won't reach 80% within the span of AC+.

Where have you seen that?

My laptop purchases go as far back as the PowerBook G3. Back then, Apple’s extended warranty was practically a no-brainer as you were almost guaranteed to need a battery replacement in two years, which meant the warranty paid for itself. However, that aspect stopped being a solid reason several years ago as battery endurance has more than doubled.

Batteries - Service and Recycling

Learn about battery service and recycling for Apple devices. All rechargeable batteries need to be serviced eventually.

www.apple.com

A1078 Battery for Apple PowerBook 15-inch G4 A1045

A1078 Battery for Apple PowerBook 15-inch G4 A1045

www.laptopbatteryexpress.com

* The only source I could dig up at the moment for PowerBook battery specs.

Ultimately, it’s realistically no longer worthwhile to purchase AppleCare+ primarily or solely on the idea of it being valuable for battery replacement cost — and, yes, this is for any Apple device.

 

[vysecurity]

Of course, however, unless I’m mistaken, not the primary reason for quite some time.

In fact, if we look at the marketing:
The first paragraph:

Basically, tech support.

The second section:

In other words, lower costs for “Oh, ****!” moments (i.e., accidental damage).


Where have you seen that?

My laptop purchases go as far back as the PowerBook G3. Back then, Apple’s extended warranty was practically a no-brainer as you were almost guaranteed to need a battery replacement in two years, which meant the warranty paid for itself. However, that aspect stopped being a solid reason several years ago as battery endurance has more than doubled.

Batteries - Service and Recycling

Learn about battery service and recycling for Apple devices. All rechargeable batteries need to be serviced eventually.

www.apple.com

A1078 Battery for Apple PowerBook 15-inch G4 A1045

A1078 Battery for Apple PowerBook 15-inch G4 A1045

www.laptopbatteryexpress.com

* The only source I could dig up at the moment for PowerBook battery specs.

Ultimately, it’s realistically no longer worthwhile to purchase AppleCare+ primarily or solely on the idea of it being valuable for battery replacement cost — and, yes, this is for any Apple device.

The Apple sales rep literally tell us that it won't not reach 80% or below within AC+ period at literally every single Apple store I've been to.