1 week later...What is your Retina MacBook battery health?

A

amitdoc2b

macrumors 6502a
When I first got the retina MacBook, the battery was 5297 mAh out of the box.

The maximum battery now is 95% of that at 5028 mAh in less than a week. I have calibrated it once without any improvement, rather it is getting lower each day. I've kept it on its charger (through Apple USBC-HDMI-USB dongle) the whole time other than 1 calibration, despite it showing 4 cycles (it came out of the box with 3 cycles). If you download the free 'Battery Health' app from the App Store or 'Coconut Battery' from the web, those are a few methods to test your battery health.

FYI: 12" Retina MacBook / Gold / 512GB / 1.2 Ghz.

I look forward to comparing results.
 
amitdoc2b said:
When I first got the retina MacBook, the battery was 5297 mAh out of the box.

The maximum battery now is 95% of that at 5028 mAh in less than a week. I have calibrated it once without any improvement, rather it is getting lower each day. I've kept it on its charger (through Apple USBC-HDMI-USB dongle) the whole time other than 1 calibration, despite it showing 4 cycles (it came out of the box with 3 cycles). If you download the free 'Battery Health' app from the App Store or 'Coconut Battery' from the web, those are a few methods to test your battery health.

FYI: 12" Retina MacBook / Gold / 512GB / 1.2 Ghz.

I look forward to comparing results.
Click to expand...

I saw your posts a few days ago. You were worried about high temps being reported by Coconut Battery, then stressed out about high scores reported by GeekBench. Now you're concerning yourself about battery health.

I like those tools too but don't let them get in the way of enjoying that $1800 machine. You have a year's warranty to watch over you!
 
amitdoc2b said:
When I first got the retina MacBook, the battery was 5297 mAh out of the box.

The maximum battery now is 95% of that at 5028 mAh in less than a week.
Click to expand...
Your battery is fine. It is perfectly normal if your battery health (maximum capacity) is more or less than 100%, even when brand new, or if it fluctuates up or down over time. The gradual decline is not in a straight line downward, and it may decline more rapidly at some times and slower at others. For further details, read the CHECKING STATUS AND HEALTH section of the following link.
​
The link below should answer most, if not all, of your battery/charging questions. If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you take the time to read it.
amitdoc2b said:
I have calibrated it once without any improvement, rather it is getting lower each day.
Click to expand...
The built-in batteries in the newer Mac unibody notebooks come pre-calibrated and do not require regular calibration like the removable batteries in older Apple notebooks.
 
amitdoc2b said:
When I first got the retina MacBook, the battery was 5297 mAh out of the box.

The maximum battery now is 95% of that at 5028 mAh in less than a week. I have calibrated it once without any improvement, rather it is getting lower each day. I've kept it on its charger (through Apple USBC-HDMI-USB dongle) the whole time other than 1 calibration, despite it showing 4 cycles (it came out of the box with 3 cycles). If you download the free 'Battery Health' app from the App Store or 'Coconut Battery' from the web, those are a few methods to test your battery health.

FYI: 12" Retina MacBook / Gold / 512GB / 1.2 Ghz.

I look forward to comparing results.
Click to expand...

Can you keep us posted on this? Like maybe every two weeks or so?

Will be interesting, the only laptop I ever had that displayed that type of behavior, but over months of time, was a Lenovo laptop that ran warm/hot. Batteries degrade faster at higher temperatures. The price you pay in some ultraportables for the form factor, especially those with fanless design.

I wouldn't read too much into it just yet... Enjoy your laptop and don't worry about that. at least you have AppleCare yeah? And all MacBooks come with a standard one year warranty...

----------

I should add that the battery capacity loss with the Lenovo I had was way bigger than any other laptop I owned around the same time or later. All batteries will lose full charge capacity over time, regardless of cycle count. That's why it's always recommended to store this type of battery at less than full charge in a cool environment.
 
Cvx5832 said:
I saw your posts a few days ago. You were worried about high temps being reported by Coconut Battery, then stressed out about high scores reported by GeekBench. Now you're concerning yourself about battery health.

I like those tools too but don't let them get in the way of enjoying that $1800 machine. You have a year's warranty to watch over you!
Click to expand...

Yes, that was me. Actually, Coconut Battery was giving me a warning of my battery too hot which is why I was concerned at that time. I wasn't concerned about my Geekbench score but rather surprised it's so high at 6270. And yes, the battery health is concerning me because I have previously owned 2 MBP and 2 MBA and none of them lost 5% battery in less than a week, rather in some cases it went up or stayed within 2-3% of the original capacity after some time. That's why I was concerned and curious what others are getting as their battery health capacity and percentage.
 
FWIW, Battery Health reports:

Current Max 5283
Original Max 5297
Health 100%
Cycles 5

I've owned it since Monday 4/13
 
I also own the Retina Macbook since last Friday and my battery health is 96%. I have owned other MacBooks but this happens for the first time. I hope it won't continue losing capacity like that.
 
Mine is 5018 mAh. I have used it for four months and about 30 battery cycles. It is normal.
 
I'm down to 91% after 38 cycles. It has to be less than 80% to be replaced per my understanding but that seems like a lot faster drop than I have seen with my other MacBooks.
 
amitdoc2b said:
If you download the free 'Battery Health' app from the App Store or 'Coconut Battery' from the web, those are a few methods to test your battery health.
Click to expand...

I run Windows 10 under Boot Camp, I don't know how to use OSX nor do I want to.

Are these apps available for Windows?

BJ
 
98.8% (5234 mAh) 17 Cycles, over four months of use. From the chart below the data is clear, batteries wear and are a consumable item. Some need to stop worrying about issues that don't exist, if your MacBook has an issue with the battery it will be obvious early into the Notebooks life and Apple will replace it under warranty in short enjoy and use your Mac as intended.
Screen Shot 2015-09-16 at 13.25.34.png


Q-6
 
FYI for this thread ...

I've had mine since early July. It appears the maximum battery capacity has "leveled out" right around ~4920mAh... it's been hovering around this number for the last six weeks. Design Capacity states 5297mAh.
 
Queen6 said:
98.8% (5234 mAh) 17 Cycles, over four months of use. From the chart below the data is clear, batteries wear and are a consumable item. Some need to stop worrying about issues that don't exist, if your MacBook has an issue with the battery it will be obvious early into the Notebooks life and Apple will replace it under warranty in short enjoy and use your Mac as intended.
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Q-6
Click to expand...
Queen6, I love reading your posts. I learn a lot.
 
Just took this now. Curious where others numbers are hanging out?
 

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My rMB is 16 days old. Down to 94% health @ 5 cycles. I am keeping an eye on it. My 11 month old 13" rMBP is at 95% @ 57 cycles.
 
ericv said:
My rMB is 16 days old. Down to 94% health @ 5 cycles. I am keeping an eye on it. My 11 month old 13" rMBP is at 95% @ 57 cycles.
Click to expand...
only 57 cycles in a whole year ?
It takes no more than 3 months for me ...
Are you keeping the MacBook always plugged in ? That's non very good for the battery.

BTW to judge a battery after 5 cycles isn't a right thing to do. Wait at least 20 cycles.
 
Max(IT) said:
only 57 cycles in a whole year ?
It takes no more than 3 months for me ...
Are you keeping the MacBook always plugged in ? That's non very good for the battery.

BTW to judge a battery after 5 cycles isn't a right thing to do. Wait at least 20 cycles.
Click to expand...

I said I was keeping an eye on it. According to @GGJstudios & Apple leaving it plugged in doesn't hurt it at all.
 
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