Battery problem on a Core Duo MacBook

[kabunaru]

I have run into a first "problem" with my MacBook.
Sometimes, my battery is at like 90% then the next minute it would be like at 78% or so. Another instance, in like 5 minutes my battery was drained from 68% to like 31%. Then in a minute or so after that it would be like at 23%. My battery on my MacBook drains too fast. I have to keep my MacBook plugged in with the charger. It's not really a "portable" laptop anymore.

Should I get a new battery?
Thanks for the help.

 

[me_94501]

I have run into a first "problem" with my MacBook.
Sometimes, my battery is at like 90% then the next minute it would be like at 78% or so. Another instance, in like 5 minutes my battery was drained from 68% to like 31%. Then in a minute or so after that it would be like at 23%. My battery on my MacBook drains too fast. I have to keep my MacBook plugged in with the charger. It's not really a "portable" laptop anymore.

Should I get a new battery?
Thanks for the help.

Souds like you might need a new one.

Go to Apple menu -> About the Mac and click on "More Info," which will launch System Profiler. Look under Power and it should tell you about your battery's health.

 

[kabunaru]

Souds like you might need a new one.

Go to Apple menu -> About the Mac and click on "More Info," which will launch System Profiler. Look under Power and it should tell you about your battery's health.

Cycle count: 598
Amperage (mA): 711
Voltage (mV): 12412

Do these numbers mean something?

 

[KoolStar]

That is quite a few cycles, apples guarantees that batteries will hold 80% of their charge if properly maintained for 300 cycles. You are well above that, I would recommend getting a new battery.

 

[jerryhijos]

I have this problem too!

My macbookpro battery is draining way too fast as well. Here are my numbers:

Battery Information:

Model Information:
Serial Number: SMP-bq20z951-3949-1563
Manufacturer: SMP
Device name: bq20z951
Pack Lot Code: 0000
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 002a
Hardware Revision: 000a
Cell Revision: 0100
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 2539
Fully charged: No
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 4558
Health Information:
Cycle count: 172
Condition: Good
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): -3036
Voltage (mV): 11147

System Power Settings:

AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: No
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Wake On LAN: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
GPUSwitch: 2
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 2
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
GPUSwitch: 2
Reduce Brightness: Yes

Hardware Configuration:

UPS Installed: No

AC Charger Information:

Connected: No
Charging: No

So according to the info, my battery is fairly new, but what is up with the negative amperage?

Thanks to anyone who can enlighten me.