2011 15" poor battery life

[nick1516]

I just got my new mbp a few days ago and I've been having really bad battery life. I wasn't expecting to get the full seven hours, but with just one google chrome window open, I am getting under two hours battery life. Am I right in assuming this isn't normal and I should go to apple?

 

[bozz2006]

It's because Chrome forces your computer to use the discrete GPU. You can install gfxcardstatus to force your computer to use the integrated CPU or you can use Safari. Also, install Click2Flash which will basically have the computer ask you before it runs any flash. Flash will sap your battery.

 

[Blondie :)]

That's definitely not normal. I would take it into apple. But before you do, have you installed iStat Pro and checked your battery health? Or check your battery condition in the at apple>about this mac>more info>power section.

 

[deadlystriker]

Download gfxcardstatus and force intel 3000. My guess is that chrome makes the mac switch to the discrete AMD.

 

[nick1516]

It's because Chrome forces your computer to use the discrete GPU. You can install gfxcardstatus to force your computer to use the integrated CPU or you can use Safari. Also, install Click2Flash which will basically have the computer ask you before it runs any flash. Flash will sap your battery.

But that's the thing, I already installed gfxcardstatus and am using the integrated GPU, and have flash turned off.

That's definitely not normal. I would take it into apple. But before you do, have you installed iStat Pro and checked your battery health? Or check your battery condition in the at apple>about this mac>more info>power section.

I used coconutBattery, and it told me my battery is at 98% capacity, which is why this is confusing.

 

[GGJstudios]

Your battery life is dependent on many factors, including screen brightness, WiFi, Bluetooth, apps/widgets/processes running, Flash on websites, etc. For more details, read the following link. This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

 

[bozz2006]

So your gfxcardstatus indicator in the toolbar shows up with an "i" and not a "d"?

If so, then I'd be looking in activity monitor, and all processes (not "my processes". "All processes".) to look for a rogue process that's eating up your CPU and draining the battery.

 

[nick1516]

So your gfxcardstatus indicator in the toolbar shows up with an "i" and not a "d"?

If so, then I'd be looking in activity monitor, and all processes (not "my processes". "All processes".) to look for a rogue process that's eating up your CPU and draining the battery.

It's showing an i; I think I may have found it, in activity monitor it shows silverlight(I think from Netflix streaming) as between 60-70% CPU.

 

[ghsDUDE]

It's showing an i; I think I may have found it, in activity monitor it shows silverlight(I think from Netflix streaming) as between 60-70% CPU.

Does it only run silverlight when netflix is running?
I just had to install that the other day to get netflix working on my new mbp.

 

[bozz2006]

It will most likely be running any time you've got a netflix streaming webpage open in your browser.

 

[nick1516]

It will most likely be running any time you've got a netflix streaming webpage open in your browser.

Closing that tab put me from having two to having four hours remaining, still not seven hours, but it's a good bit closer

 

[ghsDUDE]

Closing that tab put me from having two to having four hours remaining, still not seven hours, but it's a good bit closer

I think 7 hours is on the lowest brightness, no bluetooth, etc.

I have 4 hours at 90% battery and I'm 60% brightness.

I think you're fine.

 

[awer25]

If I'm browsing basic webpages (i.e. no Flash), I easily get 6-7hrs, and that's with the screen on normal brightness. If dim the screen and just play music in iTunes, the timer at the top shows 8-9hrs with a full charge (I never let it go all the way down while just playing music to test it). This is all with bluetooth off and the integrated GPU forced on. Streaming Flash video brings it down to 3 hours or so.

I think the 7 rated hours is quite reasonable, unlike my HP Envy 17. That one claimed almost 4 hours on the extended battery, and I got half that.

 

[akasch]

I have gotten 8 hrs with integrated set on and only using web browsing and microsoft word. But usually I hover around an average of 6 hours