My iBook is Trash. Utter and Complete.

[RUNCIBLE 2.0]

I clocked the battery life of my iBook today.

Below are the disgusting results:

98% to 8% = 27:59 minutes.

28 MINUTES!

I was cheated. How is a laptop that lasts for less than thirty minutes when it's unplugged a "mobile platform"? It isn't. It's garbage. Just like mine.

God, I'm depressed. What the hell should I do? My first thought: hurl this piece of junk right out the window, where it would make a satisfying crash on the asphalt.

[edesignuk]

Get a new freakin' battery :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Shrek]

Good idea verbose! :D

[RUNCIBLE 2.0]

Sure, that's nice. But how long are these batteries supposed to last, after being fully charged?

Does anybody know?

[LethalWolfe]

Yes, yer iBook is toast. Please send it to me and I'll properly dispose of it for you. :)


Lethal

[RUNCIBLE 2.0]

Cute, Lethal. Except I'm serious. I'm not going to drop however much they're asking for new batteries if it'll only trade one horrible life-span for another. When I buy a new battery, I want to know that it can last for HOURS, not minutes. Tell me they can accomplish this.

[thedude]

why don't you try taking it to an apple store try using one of their batteries, and oops, just happen to forget to give it back. Besides, if you just got it, then it should be covered. My friends ibook runs for quite a while without having to be charged, and he's running cd's and mps off his HD.

[newmanium]

hey Runcible, my ibook had the exact same problem lasting only about 30 minutes tops....trust me, the problem recides only in the battery and not the computer...take it to an apple store (if there are any near you) and get the defective piece of crap replaced, it took me nearly a year to do it and im sitting here with my new battery lasting 4 and half hours on average...trust me, its worth the trouble getting it replaced.

[iH8Quark]

Originally posted by RUNCIBLE 2.0
Sure, that's nice. But how long are these batteries supposed to last, after being fully charged?

Does anybody know?

how often do you let it go almost completely dead? that will kill a battery faster than anything.

[ShaolinMiddleFinger]

When did you buy the iBook? I got mine last Sept. and it lasts around 2 hrs with OS X....longer on 9. It doesn't bother me though, I'm getting a free one from Apple...

bahahaa

I called them up because the rubber foot on it came off and I got a whole new battery in exchange... Sweet!

Right on Applecare!
:D :D :D

[iH8Quark]

Originally posted by RUNCIBLE 2.0

I was gypped.

haven't we already had a long conversation about the use of this term?

no offense to any Romani. Where's IndyGopher when you need him? ;)

[RUNCIBLE 2.0]

NO idea what you're referring to, iH.

Only teasing -- thanks for the reminder: "gypped" might be considered a mild racial slur. Since it IS a reference to the gypsies . . . anyhow. I've corrected the errant phrase.

[iGav]

Just out of interest... how old is the battery???

It should last a few hours on a charge, unless you're doing ultra demanding tasks....


When it was new did you condition it as per Apples instructions? If yes go to A if no go to B.

A. Then it's likely a faulty battery, call Apple.
B. Tut Tut.... tough ***** read the instructions first.


Is it still under it's 1 year warranty? if yes got to C if no go to D

C. Call Apple, and get a new one sent to you........ end of problem.

D. Buy a new one...... end of problem.

[Ensign Paris]

My TiBook will last about 3 hours on a 98% charge, I have never got it to run to its full 5 hours but this is probably how I use it. Look after your batterys you will get then get the life out of them.

Ensign

[Beej]

Originally posted by iH8Quark
how often do you let it go almost completely dead? that will kill a battery faster than anything. OK, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the best way to keep a battery in good condition (ie last a long time) was to completely drain it and completely charge it every now and then. something about batteries having a 'memory'... if you never let them empty they run out quicker. Perhaps that's only with older batteries? I'm confuzzled... :confused:

[iGav]

Originally posted by Beej
OK, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the best way to keep a battery in good condition (ie last a long time) was to completely drain it and completely charge it every now and then. something about batteries having a 'memory'... if you never let them empty they run out quicker. Perhaps that's only with older batteries? I'm confuzzled... :confused:

As far as I know, Apple says you never need to discharge the current laptop batteries after the first intitial charge and discharge when new......

Older Ni-Cad batteries had memories, that required you to discharge completely and then recharge (pref by a thermal charger) I don't think this applies to Apple's current range of portable batteries.......

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by RUNCIBLE 2.0
Sure, that's nice. But how long are these batteries supposed to last, after being fully charged?

Does anybody know?

Did you bother to condition the battery when you first got your iBook??? If you didn't, then you only have yourself to blame for the batteries poor charge time. :p You MIGHT be able to get a replacement from Apple, provided it is still under warranty that is.

[Rajj]

Which iBook is it? :confused:
If it is one of the first editions, then go to an Apple store and they will calibrate it for free;)

If there is no Apple Store near you, then go to Compusa.:cool:

[arogge]

Originally posted by iGAV


As far as I know, Apple says you never need to discharge the current laptop batteries after the first intitial charge and discharge when new......



My PowerBook G4's battery has to be drained 6% before it will accept a fresh charge. Could this be regulated by "memory" in the battery? Everything I've read about these rechargeable battery technologies indicates that not letting the batteries drain completely increases their overall life span.

PowerBook Issue described at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88344

[macstudent]

I have an ibook 700 with 640 Ram on os X and I get at least 3 hours on average use. I have had over 4 hours with the screen dimmed.

[jeffberg]

"Did you bother to condition the battery when you first got your iBook"

what is conditioning a battery?

[ibookin']

My iBook runs for over 4 hours on a charge. As many other people said, try calling Apple.

ShaolinMiddleFinger: The little rubber foot on my battery fell off too. Does Apple seriously give you a new battery just for that?

[buffsldr]

Originally posted by RUNCIBLE 2.0
I clocked the battery life of my iBook today.

Below are the disgusting results:

98% to 8% = 27:59 minutes.

28 MINUTES!

I was cheated. How is a laptop that lasts for less than thirty minutes when it's unplugged a "mobile platform"? It isn't. It's garbage. Just like mine.

God, I'm depressed. What the hell should I do? My first thought: hurl this piece of junk right out the window, where it would make a satisfying crash on the asphalt.

Congratulations, Runcible 2.0, you have officially brought Macurmors.com to a new low. You had to know the solution was to buy a new battery. Does that suck, yes, it does. But that is the state of the art for the price range you chose to pay.

[hydeteru]

My 600 Mhz iBook runs for an average of 4 hours after each charge. Yours must certainly be a battery fault.

[Beej]

Originally posted by jeffberg
what is conditioning a battery? When you charge it for 24 hours then let it drian completely, then fully charge it again.

[sparkleytone]

how about we just ignore this troll?? (read his other threads)

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by Beej
When you charge it for 24 hours then let it drian completely, then fully charge it again.

Conditioning is also outlined in the user manual that comes with your laptop. The exact proceedure can vary between models portable generations. Yet another reason to read the manual for your new computer. :p

[jeffberg]

"Conditioning is also outlined in the user manual that comes with your laptop"

It didn't tell how to do this in my any manual for my iBook 600 Combo.

Here are the manuals it came with:
Software License agreement (multipage)
Software License Agreement (single page)
Welcome to Mac OSX
iBook Users Guide
One Year Limited warranty (terms and conditions)
Switching between OS 9 and OS X
3 Proof of Purchase Coupons
A pamphlet on what AppleCare is

Then in our AppleCare box we have:
2 Registration Cards (1 Canadian, 1 US)
Quick Reference Card
Apple Care Protection Plan (Complete outline of Plan)
Micromat TechTool Deluxe


In none of these manuals does it say anything about taking care of your battery, also tells nothing about conditioning


Am I missing something?

[AlphaTech]

Check the user guide... read it cover to cover, don't skip any part of it... I will check my user guide that came with my TiBook when I get home.

[Dr_Floyd]

reset the Power management, it is listed in the manual

[jefhatfield]

you won't want to hear this, but i think you have a lemon of a battery

the battery draining thing is done for nicad and nimh batteries, not liion bateries

draining it to below 50% percent is advised, which you obviously have done

outside of some software problem i have never heard of, it sounds like you got a bad battery

basically, if under warranty, get a new one

if you are past your warranty...again, you will not like to hear this...get a new battery

your problem is the first time i have ever heard of such a thing as a tech, but talk to an apple certified technician like alphatech and see what he has to say...i would say PM him asap

good luck on your ibook battery problem

[IndyGopher]

Originally posted by iH8Quark


haven't we already had a long conversation about the use of this term?

no offense to any Romani. Where's IndyGopher when you need him? ;)
He's right here, and had you not corrected him, I was going to... so thanks!

[AlphaTech]

Alright, jeffberg, I just pulled out the manual that came with my TiBook. It's titled "Getting Started With Your PowerBook G4" look for something similar. In the TOC there is a listing for "Calibrating Your Battery for Best Performance".

Essentially, before you use the computer, plug it in, let it fully charge, unplug it and use until the first low battery warning comes on the screen. Then plug it back in and let recharge.

[Dr_Floyd]

grab that manual alphatech mentioned, in there it talks about resetting the power management. follow those instructions and let the unit charge till the battery shows a complete charge and then test again

[jeffberg]

Originally posted by AlphaTech
Alright, jeffberg, I just pulled out the manual that came with my TiBook. It's titled "Getting Started With Your PowerBook G4" look for something similar. In the TOC there is a listing for "Calibrating Your Battery for Best Performance".

That kind of "Getting started guide came with my PowerMac, but my iBook guide is just called "iBook." The TOC includes Features, Basics, Internet and email, Music and desktop video, productivity, Learning more and solving problems, Installing memory and airport card, Ergonomics and safety. Yes I have read through every page of every manual, and no mention of this, but it is no big deal, I get around 4 hours of battery in OSX, and I run it from full to nothing quite often.

[jeffberg]

here is a PDF of the iBook user guide that came with my iBook

http://homepage.mac.com/billyg

I also looked over your powerbook manual and I've done that several times, so I don't think I have missed anything.