I use my MacBook sparingly, but it seems like the battery life is worse almost every time I use it. I have apparently gone through only 24 load cycles, yet my battery is only able to hold 94% of its original capacity. Is this normal?
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Fast battery degradation?
- Thread starter April Knight
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Gav2k
macrumors G3
3 cycles a month is a bit on the low side for a portable to be honest. But 94% would be about right remember it will fluctuate up and down.I use my MacBook sparingly, but it seems like the battery life is worse almost every time I use it. I have apparently gone through only 24 load cycles, yet my battery is only able to hold 94% of its original capacity. Is this normal?
I got the MacBook on February 9th, actually. So in about 2 months and some change, the battery has dropped 6%. If I have the MacBook for a year, and it keeps going at this rate, it will be way under what it should be. That's what has me worried.
You're assuming the degradation is linear. I don't know that this is the case. (*)
If you got it on Feb 9th then you have well over nine months left on the original warranty. I truly wouldn't worry about the matter until near the end of the warranty period or until it actually starts to impact your ability to use the system.
You may want to do a battery recalibration if you haven't done so, but otherwise I wouldn't be borrowing trouble from tomorrow.
(*) Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, more I'm pointing out the assumption rather than saying it's right or wrong.
If you got it on Feb 9th then you have well over nine months left on the original warranty. I truly wouldn't worry about the matter until near the end of the warranty period or until it actually starts to impact your ability to use the system.
You may want to do a battery recalibration if you haven't done so, but otherwise I wouldn't be borrowing trouble from tomorrow.
(*) Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, more I'm pointing out the assumption rather than saying it's right or wrong.
Thank you for the calibration suggestion, I do appreciate it.
I guess my concern is that, like I said, I don't use the MacBook all that often. I have an iMac that I use almost all day, and my MacBook is sort of a coffee shop machine. Maybe used 3 or so times a week for an hour or two. Each time I use it, I can tell the battery is draining more quickly than the last. So even if the drain isn't linear, I feel like I am putting very little strain on the MacBook as it is, and the battery is losing capacity quickly. If I were to start using it more often, I imagine I'd see quicker loss of capacity.
I'm the type of person to where this isn't REALLY bothering me, but I spent quite a bit of money on the computer and if I know something is failing, I'd rather get it fixed now than wait 3-4 more months until it drops below the magic 80% number.
I get it, I understand being concerned when something doesn't seem right. My intent is to add some food for thought.
I will say though that it'd likely be easier to get it taken care of once it's showing 80% rather than 94% after two months... 🙂
I will say though that it'd likely be easier to get it taken care of once it's showing 80% rather than 94% after two months... 🙂
I totally appreciate that. 🙂 I'll do the recalibration and keep an eye on it. If I'm down another 3% or so a month from now, I'll consider having it looked at. Thanks!