Is this normal battery behaviour (MBP Pro 15")

icedbullet · 25 Aug 2010 at 20:02

Hey all

I've been tracking my battery stats using coconut battery, and system preferences to confirm. I've only had the MBP for around 6 days and I'm already down to 97% battery health after 6 cycles!. Below is a screenshot of my coconut battery history so you can see the readings taken a few times a day since I had the MBP.

Do I have grounds to take it back to the apple store (It is within the 14 day return period) or is this normal behaviour/a possible inaccurate reading?

MrMoonX · 25 Aug 2010 at 20:13

have you tried configuring the battery i.e letting it run right down until it sleeps then waiting for it to stop sleeping and be completely dead and then charging it fully, I got my MBP yesterday and noticed the battery was at 97% health did the above and it now says 100%

apple should cover the battery for the first year I believe as my old macbook had a new one at 11 months old from apple free!

icedbullet · 25 Aug 2010 at 20:18

I did try to calibrate it as you describe, I'm not sure I did it right now. On the official apple instructions it says to let the battery run down until it sleeps, then turn the MBP off, which is what I did, sort of. I got the warnings about it sleeping but the MBP never went to sleep, the battery meter hit zero then it turned off and would not turn back on. I plugged the charger in and assumed it was calibrated.

Do I have to let the battery run down while its asleep and not turn it off myself/let the battery reach zero?

Dangerous Dave · 25 Aug 2010 at 21:18

My girlfriend's 13" MBP battery is down to 85% after a year and 140 odd charges. I have calibrated the battery several times by letting the battery go completely flat but it made no difference. Applecare have said to bring it back when it hits 80% and they will replace the battery as long as it has under 300 load cycles by then (hers is covered by a 3 year warranty)

I do wonder how accurate the battery rating is as the laptop will still last 6-7 hours on a charge which is did when it showed in the mid 90s. I wouldn't have taken it in just for the battery but the HD failed so mentioned it at the same time.

MrMoonX · 25 Aug 2010 at 21:32

icedbullet said:
I did try to calibrate it as you describe, I'm not sure I did it right now. On the official apple instructions it says to let the battery run down until it sleeps, then turn the MBP off, which is what I did, sort of. I got the warnings about it sleeping but the MBP never went to sleep, the battery meter hit zero then it turned off and would not turn back on. I plugged the charger in and assumed it was calibrated.

Do I have to let the battery run down while its asleep and not turn it off myself/let the battery reach zero?

yes leave it to sleep until the light stops flashing will take over 5 hours so overnight, then its completely dead

NickK · 28 Aug 2010 at 14:52

My first battery supplied with my MBP3,1 (Nov'07) was great and lasted until this year (over 360 cycles). The battery replacement brought from apple had less than 100 cycles before deciding to die very quickly - although I should have managed to get a replacement I didn't have the receipt at the time. Now out of warrantee I've found the receipt :/

I'll get another battery but it's a known thing that the replacement batteries, well, pants. After all Apple wish you to buy a whole new device instead (I really pity iPad users).
The MBP is still perfect for all uses I have of it so I'm reluctant to fork out for another with minimal gains.

bloodiedathame · 28 Aug 2010 at 15:12

56% health, 659 cycles. 2 year old MBP. Managed to stir some life back into it recently, it was giving me "Replace Now" messages so I'll see how long I can get it to last.

paulc25 · 28 Aug 2010 at 19:29

94% health, 523 cycles for me using a 1 year old MBP.

QwaF · 28 Aug 2010 at 20:35

Mine is on 98% after 183 cycles. I've had it 6 months. Take it into an Apple store and ask them.

MacRS4 · 28 Aug 2010 at 22:56

6 days and 6 cycles? That's some going? That's a complete cycle per day :confused:

The calibration does seem to improve the accuracy of the battery health reporting. Wrote about the processes here: http://www.markc.me.uk/MarkC/Blog/E..._Macbook_Macbook_Pro_Battery_Calibration.html

icedbullet · 29 Aug 2010 at 03:11

I'll give the calibration thing one more try I guess. I have until Sept 1st to return it, plus I have applecare so it should get sorted one way or another.

EDIT: The health reading changed by itself from 97% back up to 98% for no reason other then it felt like it

Raymond Lin · 29 Aug 2010 at 03:28

QwaF said:
Mine is on 98% after 183 cycles. I've had it 6 months. Take it into an Apple store and ask them.

Do you always runs yours flat?

QwaF · 29 Aug 2010 at 04:31

Raymond Lin said:
Do you always runs yours flat?

Not always, but I try to - not a full flat, where not even the battery indicator flashes, but just to the point where it won't turn on, then charge it from there.

Raymond Lin · 29 Aug 2010 at 11:34

QwaF said:
Not always, but I try to - not a full flat, where not even the battery indicator flashes, but just to the point where it won't turn on, then charge it from there.

Well, to the point it where it won't turn on is flat enough!!

What else can you do while its off apart from charging it anyway? :confused:

QwaF · 29 Aug 2010 at 16:32

Well, you can leave it for around 5 hours and not even the battery indicator flashes - which means it is completely dead.

arcamalpha · 30 Aug 2010 at 08:13

On the apple website, it says not to run the battery completely flat too often. It's best (apparently) to use it on battery til it gets to 60-70% full, then plug it in again. That reduces the number of complete cycles and enables the clever electronics to selectively charge different cells within the battery pack.

It says you should only run it down once a month or so.

NickK · 30 Aug 2010 at 08:44

arcamalpha said:
On the apple website, it says not to run the battery completely flat too often. It's best (apparently) to use it on battery til it gets to 60-70% full, then plug it in again. That reduces the number of complete cycles and enables the clever electronics to selectively charge different cells within the battery pack.

It says you should only run it down once a month or so.

Err... it is advertised as having a 5 hour battery life - so it's going to get used for periods where it will get used for long period, unless it's not fit for purpose and Apple are mis-selling it's capabilities.

Sorry - I disagree here. If a manufacturer advertises it then people should be able to use it in the expectation it performs to spec.

Simple trading standards and advertising.

deano · 30 Aug 2010 at 09:49

mines 99% 108 charges and 19months old has gone completely flat around twice (not recently) and I just charge it / run it on mains when ever I'm able to. dont really follow any routine

Bes · 31 Aug 2010 at 00:03

Mine is like this:

Got my Mac last June.

FreeStream · 31 Aug 2010 at 01:59

NickK said:
Err... it is advertised as having a 5 hour battery life - so it's going to get used for periods where it will get used for long period, unless it's not fit for purpose and Apple are mis-selling it's capabilities.

Sorry - I disagree here. If a manufacturer advertises it then people should be able to use it in the expectation it performs to spec.

Simple trading standards and advertising.

He/Apple are not saying that it won't do 5 hours.

What they are saying is to *maximise* the batteries lifetime is to cycle it as suggested.

Mines at 150 cycles and 85% atm, although I haven't drained it in a long time and will be soon!