2011 13" i5 Macbook Pro Battery Life Draining too fast?

[GGJstudios]

Coconut says its on 96 % even after calibratring. When browsing and itunes percentage drops every 5 minutes. is this normal? does the percentage fluctuate in coconut?

Yes, it's normal that your battery health fluctuates up and down over time. Read the Battery FAQ for more information.

I'm afraid of calibrating my battery because i loosed capacity in the past (with my old MB 5,1) after calibrating it!

Calibrating does not change your battery health. It only makes the reporting more accurate. Whatever your battery health is after calibrating is what you had before. It was only incorrectly reporting it before. Read the Battery FAQ for more information.

also should I drain the battery everytime or plug it in when it hits the 10-20%?

No, you don't have to drain it every time or plug it in at a certain percentage. Just use your battery when you need to and plug it in when you can. Just be sure not to leave it plugged in all the time, since your battery needs to be used to stay healthy. Read the Battery FAQ for more information.

This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

 

[rossmadden]

also should I drain the battery everytime or plug it in when it hits the 10-20%? I've been searching the forum but people recommend different things.

Apple's own battery guide (on it's website and in your user manual before someone shouts it at you) says that the battery is designed to not lose efficiency if you unplug it and plug it back in regularly, but every now and then you should run it right down and charge it to 100%. It also says that the batteries are designed to go through 1000 cycles before the battery health gets to 80%.

I agree, download iStat pro.

I have an i5 13" thats a week old today (happy birthday), I get between 7-9 hours light browsing, 3.5 hours on skype full screen, and about 5 hours when i mix things up, use imovie, watch youtube etc.

Hope this helps a little bit?

 

[firefoxsilver9]

I'm having battery issues too. I seem to be only able to get maybe 2-3 hours max and all i do is browse the internet and listen to music on iTunes. The screen brightness is on medium, my keyboard backlights aren't on, CPU is hovering around 30%. and disk activity is minimal. I suspect is Paralells 6 that's draining the battery in the background. Even when the app is closed the processes still run and are taking up CPU time. I'm running a Win 7 VM. I tried changing the number of CPUs from 2 to 1 and disabling the 3D acceleration and lowering the VRAM for the VM but no go. I might try VMWARE or something else until they can fix this.

 

[Iskender]

Hi,

I also have battery problem. I'm counting with timer on my iphone, my MPB 13" i5 2011 model works only for 4:14 hours. What should I do? How do calibrate the battery? I realized that my prev. generation MPB 13" core 2 duo worked for at least 7 hours, without getting hot and without noise, but this time its very hot, works for 4 hours and its noisy, I'm upset

 

[GGJstudios]

What should I do? How do calibrate the battery?

Read the link I posted for calibration instructions and answers to your questions (post #26).

 

[j0elohana]

I had the same problem leave it alone for about two weeks and it should get to normal battery life.. Dont download anything it would be a waste of space.. But istats is a good thing for the mac though.

So you mean after 2 weeks the battery will be back to normal ?

Apple's own battery guide (on it's website and in your user manual before someone shouts it at you) says that the battery is designed to not lose efficiency if you unplug it and plug it back in regularly, but every now and then you should run it right down and charge it to 100%. It also says that the batteries are designed to go through 1000 cycles before the battery health gets to 80%.

I agree, download iStat pro.

I have an i5 13" thats a week old today (happy birthday), I get between 7-9 hours light browsing, 3.5 hours on skype full screen, and about 5 hours when i mix things up, use imovie, watch youtube etc.

Hope this helps a little bit?

What does iSat Pro does ?

Was your battery at 96% before you calibrated it?

My new MBP 13" i7 now is at 101% capacity and the time seems pretty good. Right now 56% and 4:17 to go...

I'm afraid of calibrating my battery because i loosed capacity in the past (with my old MB 5,1) after calibrating it!

My battery percentage 52% and it's 3.27 to go How come yours 56% can last for 4 hours ? Teach me how to make my battery last longer please

 

[GGJstudios]

Teach me how to make my battery last longer please

Read the Battery FAQ in post #26

 

[palpatine]

Very unnerving. I got myself a mbp because thy seemed to en noisefree and have great battery life. Now I have a noisy HD AND my battery life is not that great. After three hours of on and off web sufing I'm in the forties!

where did you get this info?

most computers will make noise. the hd is the same a sa lot of other hds on the market. apple didn't make it. it will make noise. fans make noise too. there is no help for it. get an ssd and keep your computer cool to reduce the noise if it is distressing.

as for battery, all web surfing is not the same. try turning off flash. also, at that pace you are getting 5 hours at full screen brightness. that is not so awful, especially if flash is chewing up your processor.

 

[endhalf]

Just to let you know, calibrating was needed to do on NiMH batteries wich are about 8-10 years old. I doubt that Macbooks are using NiMH batteries and for Li-ion type of batteries calibrating is dangerous (well, you'll loose some battery life every time u do calibration)... I wouldn't recommend doing calibration at any time as this probably just make your problem worse.. Never let your battery discharge at 0%.

 

[GGJstudios]

Just to let you know, calibrating was needed to do on NiMH batteries wich are about 8-10 years old. I doubt that Macbooks are using NiMH batteries and for Li-ion type of batteries calibrating is dangerous (well, you'll loose some battery life every time u do calibration)... I wouldn't recommend doing calibration at any time as this probably just make your problem worse.. Never let your battery discharge at 0%.

This is completely false. Calibration is not dangerous and it is recommended by Apple. They're not going to recommend something that's bad for the battery, since they would have to replace them. Calibration uses 1 cycle, but that's nothing compared to 1000 cycles at 80% or better battery health. You really should read the Battery FAQ that's been posted in most of these battery threads. You'll learn some facts, so you won't mislead people with erroneous posts like this. I'll make it easy to find:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

 

[endhalf]

GGJ, I have read it... I don't know why is Apple doing this, but it is the only company I belive that is doing this... And since a few people already reported that they have lost capacity on their batteries (hence their problem got worse), I still wouldn't recommend it to anyone... These batteries are built to have as much % charge as possible and discharging it to absolute 0% will kill them, I guarantee that to you - my own experience. I mean, you paid xxx(x) dollars for it, it is your choice, I wanted just add my experience.

 

[GGJstudios]

GGJ, I have read it... I don't know why is Apple doing this, but it is the only company I belive that is doing this... And since a few people already reported that they have lost capacity on their batteries (hence their problem got worse), I still wouldn't recommend it to anyone... These batteries are built to have as much % charge as possible and discharging it to absolute 0% will kill them, I guarantee that to you - my own experience. I mean, you paid xxx(x) dollars for it, it is your choice, I wanted just add my experience.

You have no facts to back up your claims. Calibration doesn't increase or decrease capacity any more than simply using your battery for one full cycle. Calibration only makes your readings more accurate. Your "experience" isn't based in facts... only your uninformed opinion. Apple is a far more credible source of information about how to treat their batteries.

 

[endhalf]

GJJ, my field of study is robotics and belive or not, I have to know something about batteries as power source is also very important in this field. To a normal Li-ion battery it is dangerous. If Apple has enhance its own batteries with some technology that prevents destroying battery by calibration, then yep, why not do it, but since I saw some people saying that their capacity got worse after doing it, I felt obliged to tell what I know about so called "calibrating" wich was used really about 8-10 years ago mainly with mobile phones.

I respect you and I'm not saying that you are wrong... All I did was add my knowlege since I'm not entirely convinced that calibrating isn't dangerous for apple batteries. And again, you can do what ever you want with your device. I'm sure as hell that I won't do calibrating on my device as this has been fatal for other batteries I had in a past and Apple can say whatever wants .

BTW, even apple batteries die when they are discharged at 0% as every other battery . So if someone choose to calibrate, I would strongly suggest to strict adherence those steps.

 

[GGJstudios]

GJJ, my field of study is robotics and belive or not, I have to know something about batteries as power source is also very important in this field.

I can't count the number of discussions I've had on this topic over the years with people who thought that their experience in another field made them qualified to know about the lithium-polymer batteries used in Apple notebooks. Not all batteries are alike and you can't assume that information you learn in another field applies completely to another.

To a normal Li-ion battery it is dangerous.

This is not true. It is not dangerous at all.

since I saw some people saying that their capacity got worse

People who claim that their battery health was lower after calibration are under the mistaken impression that calibration lowered their battery health. This is not true. The health was already lower, but was erroneously reported at a higher number. Calibration made the reading more accurate.

I'm sure as hell that I won't do calibrating on my device as this has been fatal for other batteries I had in a past and Apple can say whatever wants .

As already stated, what applies to other batteries you've had in other devices doesn't necessarily apply to Apple notebook batteries.

BTW, even apple batteries die when they are discharged at 0% as every other battery

That 5 year old thread about a defective battery doesn't mean anything. Explain the millions of Mac users who follow Apple's instructions about calibrating, which involves draining the battery to 0% every month or two, without damage or problems. Your information and experience with other batteries simply does not apply to Apple notebook batteries.

 

[palpatine]

I know almost nothing about batteries. I have no degrees in engineering. My understanding, though, is that many models do not need to be calibrated, so it would be a good idea to check Apple's site before fooling around with your computer.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490

 

[GGJstudios]

I know almost nothing about batteries. I have no degrees in engineering. My understanding, though, is that many models do not need to be calibrated, so it would be a good idea to check Apple's site before fooling around with your computer.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490

Some models come pre-calibrated, so they don't require the initial calibration when you receive your notebook. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be calibrated at all. As the link you posted says:

The battery has an internal microprocessor that provides an estimate of the amount of energy in the battery as it charges and discharges. The battery needs to be recalibrated from time to time to keep the onscreen battery time and percent display accurate and to keep the battery operating at maximum efficiency. You should perform this procedure when you first use your computer and then every few months after that.

 

[palpatine]

Some models come pre-calibrated, so they don't require the initial calibration when you receive your notebook. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be calibrated at all. As the link you posted says:

Apple's page is extremely clear that the models listed DO NOT need to be calibrated at all. It states : "Some portable computers are pre-calibrated and do not require the calibration procedure outlined in this article." I don't see how you can read this to mean that they do need it. Could you explain how you arrived at that interpretation of it?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490

My understanding is that the following models (according to Apple) DO NOT need calibration.

Additional Information
Some portable computers are pre-calibrated and do not require the calibration procedure outlined in this article. These computers use batteries that should be replaced only by an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

MacBook

MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)
MacBook Air

MacBook Air (Mid 2009)
MacBook Air (Late 2008)
MacBook Air (Original)
MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009)

 

[GGJstudios]

Apple's page is extremely clear that the models listed DO NOT need to be calibrated at all. It states : "Some portable computers are pre-calibrated and do not require the calibration procedure outlined in this article." I don't see how you can read this to mean that they do need it. Could you explain how you arrived at that interpretation of it?

As you saw from the other quote on the same page:

The battery needs to be recalibrated from time to time to keep the onscreen battery time and percent display accurate and to keep the battery operating at maximum efficiency.

Calibration isn't a one-time only event, as the effects of calibration are not permanent. While a built-in pre-calibrated battery doesn't need the require initial calibration and may not require calibration as frequently as a removable battery, that doesn't imply that it should never be calibrated. If you're having battery problems and call AppleCare, the first thing they're likely to ask is, "Have you calibrated your battery?" If your battery readings are inaccurate, calibration is the process to correct that inaccuracy. It is not dangerous or damaging to the battery to calibrate it.

 

[palpatine]

As you saw from the other quote on the same page:

Calibration isn't a one-time only event, as the effects of calibration are not permanent. While a built-in pre-calibrated battery doesn't need the require initial calibration and may not require calibration as frequently as a removable battery, that doesn't imply that it should never be calibrated. If you're having battery problems and call AppleCare, the first thing they're likely to ask is, "Have you calibrated your battery?" If your battery readings are inaccurate, calibration is the process to correct that inaccuracy. It is not dangerous or damaging to the battery to calibrate it.

Interesting. I did not read it that way at all. The article discusses calibration. And then, at the bottom of the page, it says pretty clearly that this article (discussing calibration) does not apply to those models. If they actually did intend to convey the meaning you suggested, then this is a fabulous example of a poorly written technical article, and I think it would be great material in a technical writing course as an example of what not to do.

 

[b29eagle]

mac book pro battery life

i have a question for you guys, i got my macbook pro 13 like 4 months ago, and my battery life is not that good i believe, i just do some web browsing, not even using backlit keyboard and screen brightness is not at its highest level, and i am getting about 2 minutes 30 seconds per 1% of battery, is this normal or do i have a defective battery?

 

[GGJstudios]

i have a question for you guys, i got my macbook pro 13 like 4 months ago, and my battery life is not that good i believe, i just do some web browsing, not even using backlit keyboard and screen brightness is not at its highest level, and i am getting about 2 minutes 30 seconds per 1% of battery, is this normal or do i have a defective battery?

There are many factors that impact your battery life. See the BATTERY LIFE FROM A CHARGE section of the following link for details.

This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

 

[thundersteele]

i have a question for you guys, i got my macbook pro 13 like 4 months ago, and my battery life is not that good i believe, i just do some web browsing, not even using backlit keyboard and screen brightness is not at its highest level, and i am getting about 2 minutes 30 seconds per 1% of battery, is this normal or do i have a defective battery?

probably ok.

Note that some websites, in particular with flash content, can increase power consumption of your laptop.

 

[Puevlo]

GJJ, my field of study is robotics and belive or not, I have to know something about batteries as power source is also very important in this field. To a normal Li-ion battery it is dangerous. If Apple has enhance its own batteries with some technology that prevents destroying battery by calibration, then yep, why not do it, but since I saw some people saying that their capacity got worse after doing it, I felt obliged to tell what I know about so called "calibrating" wich was used really about 8-10 years ago mainly with mobile phones.

I respect you and I'm not saying that you are wrong... All I did was add my knowlege since I'm not entirely convinced that calibrating isn't dangerous for apple batteries. And again, you can do what ever you want with your device. I'm sure as hell that I won't do calibrating on my device as this has been fatal for other batteries I had in a past and Apple can say whatever wants .

BTW, even apple batteries die when they are discharged at 0% as every other battery . So if someone choose to calibrate, I would strongly suggest to strict adherence those steps.

So if someone wants a brand new battery under warranty they should just leave it until it reaches 0% and then Apple will replace it since this will allegedly kill it.

 

[arcite]

GJJ, my field of study is robotics and belive or not, I have to know something about batteries as power source is also very important in this field. To a normal Li-ion battery it is dangerous. If Apple has enhance its own batteries with some technology that prevents destroying battery by calibration, then yep, why not do it, but since I saw some people saying that their capacity got worse after doing it, I felt obliged to tell what I know about so called "calibrating" wich was used really about 8-10 years ago mainly with mobile phones.

I respect you and I'm not saying that you are wrong... All I did was add my knowlege since I'm not entirely convinced that calibrating isn't dangerous for apple batteries. And again, you can do what ever you want with your device. I'm sure as hell that I won't do calibrating on my device as this has been fatal for other batteries I had in a past and Apple can say whatever wants .

BTW, even apple batteries die when they are discharged at 0% as every other battery . So if someone choose to calibrate, I would strongly suggest to strict adherence those steps.

Curious, my battery regularly drains to zero and shuts itself off (this is not intentional calibration, I merely forget the computer is on and it drains itself down all on its own). I also use my mac on battery power every day. My stats as of today:

age of mac: 17 months
load cycles : 369
current capacity: 95%

Granted, I have a last generation C2D Macbook pro, so the battery is expected to last a bit longer.

So, Unless something is seriously wrong with the battery, I'd say that Apple has some AMAZING battery tech.

Only advice I have is to turn off FLASH. That is my primary battery killer. Install Flashblock on your browser.

 

[yomibro]

I purchased a 2011 13" two weeks ago and have observed similar battery usage for light browsing and email, figured I give it another month or two before I approach Apple about it.