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New MBP questions

UmaThurman

UmaThurman

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 1, 2006
124
0
Georgia
Hi, I just got my new C2D MBP, my first mac, and first laptop. I have some general questions, so i'm sorry if these seem really stupid. Should i turn this notebook off at nights, or is okay to keep it running 24/7? And should I plug the ac adapter into a surge protector, or will I be okay with just plugging it directly into the wall? I also see that at 40% batter life, i only have 1:15 time remaining... not too good? Appreciate any input! :)
 
While it should be fine to keep it running 24x7, I would put it to sleep when not in use. Definately plug it into a surge protector.
 
UmaThurman said:
Hi, I just got my new C2D MBP, my first mac, and first laptop. I have some general questions, so i'm sorry if these seem really stupid. Should i turn this notebook off at nights, or is okay to keep it running 24/7? And should I plug the ac adapter into a surge protector, or will I be okay with just plugging it directly into the wall? I also see that at 40% batter life, i only have 1:15 time remaining... not too good? Appreciate any input! :)
Click to expand...

1:15 sounds about right at 40%, could be a little higher though. Don't forget, to maximise power on the batterey, make sure you set the battery/enery saver to "Maximum Battery Life" and turn down the brightness on the screen as low as you can take it (just as low as you can see the screen properly/happy with the brightness level).

Definately use a surge protector, and don't be afraid to leave it asleep overnight. My MacBook has been asleep when not in use for the last week (not been restarted at all) and it's still running as fast as ever! :)
 
okay, totally sweet. Is there anyway I can check the amount of free space I have left on my hd? I'm loving macs, it's so fun messing around on this! Dashboard, OMG OMG i love it so much! And I always thought mac users were so smug... haha :D
 
UmaThurman said:
okay, totally sweet. Is there anyway I can check the amount of free space I have left on my hd? I'm loving macs, it's so fun messing around on this! Dashboard, OMG OMG i love it so much! And I always thought mac users were so smug... haha :D
Click to expand...
Open a Finder window. On the bottom of the window it should say something like "99.48 GB available".
 
okay! thanks y'all so much! y'all are very nice on this message board! :D I was told to let my mbp die all the way down, then start my first charge. Man, so with 100% life with the normal setting, around 3 hours of usage is low. Anyhow, i'm regretting my 120 gig hd. I shoulda went with a 160.. Oh well, I still <3 this notebook mucho mucho.
 
Unorthodox said:
Us poor saps who went with the 160GB hard drives are still waiting for them to be shipped!
Click to expand...

And that's the reason I'm going with a 120. It can take up to 6 weeks to do a CTO here, as they have to come via Australia (on the slow boat, apparently) :(
 
Is it ok to calibrate the MBP C2D battery? I ask this, because when i calibrated the battery on my last laptop (iBook G3 800mhz), the battery got crazy! It would enter sleep on 88% (but going from 100% to 88% would take 3.5 hours +-). In other words: the battery was fine, but not its display.

Im now afraid that it happens on my MBP C2D too :(

Oh, UmaThurman, you can also check the free space on your disk without opening a window in Finder. Go to View Options (or something like that, im not on a Mac atm) on Finder, and check for something like "details". Check it, and now you should see some details of your desktop icons (including your disk).
 
Ath said:
Is it ok to calibrate the MBP C2D battery? I ask this, because when i calibrated the battery on my last laptop (iBook G3 800mhz), the battery got crazy! It would enter sleep on 88% (but going from 100% to 88% would take 3.5 hours +-). In other words: the battery was fine, but not its display.

Im now afraid that it happens on my MBP C2D too :(
Click to expand...
Not only is it okay, it's recommended that you do so. Just be sure to follow Apple's directions.
 
Ath said:
Is it ok to calibrate the MBP C2D battery? I ask this, because when i calibrated the battery on my last laptop (iBook G3 800mhz), the battery got crazy! It would enter sleep on 88% (but going from 100% to 88% would take 3.5 hours +-). In other words: the battery was fine, but not its display.

Im now afraid that it happens on my MBP C2D too :(
Click to expand...
No, that was an apparent problem with your iBook or its battery. Calibration is a good thing, although to be honest I do it far less often than recommended. Just let it get so low it forces itself to go to sleep, shut it off, charge it all the way, and you're set.

UmaThurman said:
Should i turn this notebook off at nights, or is okay to keep it running 24/7?
Click to expand...
As many have said, as long as you don't need it to be running for some reason (web server, encoding a movie, whatever), just shut the lid and let it sleep. Less stress on the system than a power-cycle. If you're not going to use the system for a few days and won't have it plugged in, though, shut it down.
UmaThurman said:
And should I plug the ac adapter into a surge protector, or will I be okay with just plugging it directly into the wall?
Click to expand...
When not using a surge protector, please use the cord that came with the power adapter - otherwise, it isn't grounded, which isn't a good thing.
 
Ok, thanks :)

I hope that i dont get the same problem twice :)

Now... give me my MBP C2D!!!! :D
 
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