Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Battery indicator: low light

M

maskov1

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 7, 2009
28
0
Hi all. I am very paranoid about my new macbook pro... so this question

When I have macbook turned off, battery light indicator light well (nice green glow, visible at day and night..)
BUT when I have macbook turned on, light is very low.. almost invisible
When I close lid (sleep macbook) light is nice again... is this only my problem or what?

Thanks for any answer
 
hmm this is strange.. my girlfriend's macbook (13") has the same problem as mine (15")

also, I've noticed... when I have turned off (or sleeped) indicator light nice and before turned off it slowly turning down... but when I have macbook turned on.. it is in the last sequence of "normal" turning down light...

I hope you can understand me (bad english)

edit: both of us have new 2010 version of macbook
 
Just a stupid question. But what in gods name do you need the battery indicator for when the notebook is ON???
Maybe the LED brightness is low for a reason. I'd assume it wants to tell you you should look at the freakin screen.

That is also what GGJStudios wanted to tell you. It is not your MacBook's probelm it is YOUR problem.
 
I vote on you taking off the bottom cover and hooking up an HID bulb in the place of that LED, you'll be much more satisfied with results.
 
I freaked out about this too when I first got my Macbook Pro. The battery indicator lights are actually hooked up to the ambient light sensor that also adjusts the brightness of your screen.

This is confirmed by shining a light at the area above your screen where your webcam is. While holding the light there, hit the indicator button-- the lights are bright, no? Now cover the same area with your hand and hit the button-- the lights are dim, yes? No idea why Apple also had these lights work off of the ambient sensor... I would PREFER they be at HIGH all the time. But at least you know that they are properly functioning. :)

EDIT: Their old features page for the MBP actually confirmed this... but it has since been changed. I tried finding it for you.

EDIT 2: Found it... haha.

"Because Apple designs both the hardware and the software for the MacBook Pro, it’s easier to improve things like energy efficiency. Software tells the hard drive to spin down when it’s not in use. It tells the display and battery indicator lights to dim in low-light conditions. And it helps decide whether the CPU or the graphics processor would be best suited to the task at hand. That’s the kind of smart, integrated design that sets MacBook Pro apart from other notebooks. "

Found Here: http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/design.html
Click to expand...

Also, here is my original thread on this concern: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/795906/
 
since this thread has come to a hault, i would like to add to the rant and say it would be cool to make the ambient lights a vibrant blue or purple instead of the green. :p
 
@mousouchop
thanks, you are right, I've trying this now and it is full functional :)
 
put a torch up to the ambient light sensor (next to isight) and look at the battery indicator
 
I know some people here hate seeing old threads bumped but I didn't want to create a new thread and be told to just search for old threads...

In short, I notice that even when I cover up the light sensor the green LED indicators dont get brighter. The only time I even see them is when I plug/unplug the charger cable, they'll light up to show the current charge and fade away.

Also while the clam shell is closed I'll notice the orange light on the charger turns green for a few seconds and the led light also turn green. Then the charger light tunes back to orange and the green LEDs turn off again.

Is there anyway to get them to stay on at all times? Is that behavior normal?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back