MacBook Pro Users Express Concerns About Limited Battery Life

[theluggage]

According to Wikipedia, your laptop was criticised at launch for:
1. exclusion of an optical drive
2. exclusion of an Ethernet port
3. very high starting price
4. lack of Superdrive
5. change to MagSafe2 with a lack of backward compatibility
6. glued in battery
7. glued in glass, limiting recyclability

...it sure was criticised for those things and they did inconvenience some people (oh, and you missed the FireWire). On the other hand:

1. the display had 4x the number of pixels, way ahead of the competition at the time
2. it was one of the first all-SSD laptops (which accounted for a big chunk of the price rise)
3. MagSafe 2 was a matter of 1, $10 adapter - everything else used the same connectors as before (all the old DisplayPort-to-X dongles, USB and Thunderbolt peripherals still worked).
4. it added a second Thunderbolt/DisplayPort output and a standard HDMI port (which was a huge improvement over previous models where adding one of the many Thunderbolt devices/dongles that lacked a daisychain port ate your only external display option - which certainly took some of the sting out of using an Ethernet or Firewire dongle)
5. it was a lot thinner & lighter than the nonretina model
6. They got over the greatly increased power consumption of the display by (facepalm) making the battery bigger - just think, they could have made it even thinner and lighter... but they didn't.

So, there were a lot of pros to help sweeten the (undeniable) cons.

Oh, and if my memory (helped by the specs at EveryMac.com) serves me correctly, if you weren't quite ready to jump to the brave new world just then, rather than just show you the middle finger, Apple treated the non-retina versions to a CPU bump and added USB3 at the same time.

 

[macpeter]

A subset of users who purchased a new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar claim to be experiencing shorter than expected battery life.

In particular, some users claim to be getting as little as 3 to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge, or between 30% and 60% of the up to 10 hours advertised.

MacRumors forum member SRTM said:MacRumors forum member Aioriya said:Reddit user Azr-79 yesterday claimed his new base model 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar received only 3 hours and 45 minutes of battery life on a single charge, despite what he described as "normal usage" in the form of web browsing, watching YouTube videos, and software development.

MacRumors forum member Scott claimed he experienced a 5 percentage point drop in battery life, from 10% to 5%, in just 12 minutes. Google Chrome, a known battery hog, was listed as the only app drawing significant power. The discussion topic he posted in and others are littered with similar claims of sizeable percentage drops in mere minutes.

Other claims on Reddit include anywhere from 3 hours to 5 hours to 6 hours -- sometimes more, and sometimes less.

Conversely, some users report battery life exactly in line with Apple's advertised figures. Reddit user Andrew J., for example, said he was working on non-intensive tasks on his new MacBook Pro for 90 straight minutes, and still had 92% battery life with an estimated 10 hours and 35 minutes of usage remaining.Estimates unsurprisingly vary widely based on screen brightness, background processes, and other factors, so user reports are only anecdotal evidence and your mileage may vary. It is also important to note battery life could be initially reduced until Spotlight finishes indexing your new MacBook Pro.

Battery life complaints are nothing new following the launch of a new Apple product. However, some users speculate battery life could be impacted by the new MacBook Pro switching from more efficient integrated Intel graphics to the power-hungrier dedicated AMD Radeon Pro GPU for unnecessary tasks.

Once again, however, there are always claims to suggest otherwise. Reddit user Lebron Hubbard claims he received 5 hours and 48 minutes of battery life on his high-end built-to-order 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar when forcing only the dedicated AMD Radeon Pro 460 graphics to run using gfxCardStatus:Apple's built-in Activity Monitor and third-party app coconutBattery are useful tools for tracking system processes and detailed battery information.

Apple officially says the new MacBook Pro is rated for up to 10 hours of battery life. Specifically, its tech specs page says all new 13-inch and 15-inch models are capable of up to 10 hours of wireless web browsing, up to 10 hours of iTunes movie playback, and up to 30 days of standby time on a single charge.

TechCrunch placed battery life at 9 hours and 35 minutes for the 13-inch model. Mashable said 10 hours is a fair estimate overall. The Wall Street Journal got 9.5 hours on the 13-inch model. Engadget gauged between 9 and 10 hours of video playback on the 15-inch model. Nilay Patel got 5.5 hours on the 13" in real-world use.

Apple explains how it performs its battery tests on its website:Apple's website also provides tips for maximizing battery life on the MacBook Pro, including updating to the latest version of macOS, optimizing Energy Saver settings in System Preferences, dimming the screen's brightness to the lowest comfortable level, and turning off Wi-Fi while not connected to a network.

Additional battery optimization advice provided by users includes performing a fresh install of macOS Sierra and resetting the SMC.

Article Link: MacBook Pro Users Express Concerns About Limited Battery Life

Better to be thinner than to have all day battery life

[doublepost=1480873021][/doublepost]Why wouldn't gamers and heavy monitor users plug in anyway?
If battery life is people's only concern it suggests that this may be a good option.
Apple computers are bound to be expensive because they are built like cars instead of like
nineteenfifties tin toys.

 

[clcnyc]

After the graphics issue, this one pushed me to cancel my order. I'll just wait until they iron out these issues! First Apple order I've ever cancelled!

 

[Zwhaler]

After the graphics issue, this one pushed me to cancel my order. I'll just wait until they iron out these issues! First Apple order I've ever cancelled!

I think it was smart. Plus by the time they figure this out the shipping estimates might finally be reasonable.

 

[ag29]

I'll just wait until they iron out these issues!

What does that mean? Are you going to wait till they release a software update to fix the issue, until they release a better batch, or until they come out with a brand new model?

Because if you're waiting for them to issue a software update then you might as well buy now, if you're waiting for them to release a better batch with improved battery thats very unlikely to happen, and if you're waiting for a newer model to come out that could take anywhere from between 6 months to 12 months to even longer.

 

[2IS]

Wow, hold the front page! Laptop battery lasts less time when using power hungry apps!

To quote Apple. "UP TO 10 hours battery life".

3 hours is "up to" 10 hours.
Use better designed apps.

Perhaps you missed the parts about even regular/light usage failing to get anywhere near the advertised claim? The only question is, was it your apple fanboyism that blinded you to it, or a lack of reading comprehension? Take your pick.

 

[coolbreeze]

Is there anything Apple can actually do to solve this or are we all just SOL?

Honestly? Someone *will* start a class action lawsuit, using the "10 hours" keynote image as ammunition.

Yes, I agree it's silly as they are lab-based estimates (i.e. you'll never see them for any estimate) but don't underestimate the ambulance chasers. Especially when it comes to looking for Apple payouts. Get rich quick schemes are in full effect these days.

 

[wigby]

What does that mean? Are you going to wait till they release a software update to fix the issue, until they release a better batch, or until they come out with a brand new model?

Because if you're waiting for them to issue a software update then you might as well buy now, if you're waiting for them to release a better batch with improved battery thats very unlikely to happen, and if you're waiting for a newer model to come out that could take anywhere from between 6 months to 12 months to even longer.

Do you really think Apple won't at least try to address these extreme battery target misses? They will be releasing a software and possibly firmware update in the next few weeks. That's obvious. The only question is whether they will publicly admit to a problem or not and that depends upon how many people suffer from this issue. Either way, they'll release a patch. Changing the batteries or other hardware is much more unlikely but also probably altogether unnecessary too.

 

[tentales]

Amazing you can last 13.5 hours watching video.

Some people might.
But you can't even copy off numbers right.

I've used a standard test for years. Running Avatar in iTunes at 60% brightness with wifi&BT off. It quits about half-way thru the 5th showing, on a pristine new battery.

 

[SeanG1027]

Honestly? Someone *will* start a class action lawsuit, using the "10 hours" keynote image as ammunition.

Yes, I agree it's silly as they are lab-based estimates (i.e. you'll never see them for any estimate) but don't underestimate the ambulance chasers. Especially when it comes to looking for Apple payouts. Get rich quick schemes are in full effect these days.

So assuming there is a class-action suit against them for this issue and they lose we'll just get some money and be stuck with 4-6 hours of use? This sucks.

 

[graafisk]

LOL my late 2008 MBP can run up to 3 hours. Glad my trusty old MBP can keep up with the new one.

Yup! My 17" MBP from early 2009 with the original battery can still easily give 5-6 hours of continual easy use (no processor-intensive tasks or watching videos) -- just normal surfing, writing/coding or basic photo editing. It also helps to: lower the screen brightness, turn off the keyboard backlight, only access the SSD (where the optical drive used to be) running system/apps/documents.

It's like trying to drive a car as economically as possible (my diesel VW Lupo 3L gets 75-80 mpg!); if all you do is keep the pedal to the metal and scream down the highway, of course you're going to need refueling more often.

That being said... 3 hours of battery life in a brand new computer? Meh.

 

[AZ63]

Suddenly replacing the battery in my mid 2012 MacBook Air looks like a much better option than spending $1,800 for blown speakers, graphics issues, a loss of ports, and worse battery life.

That is for sure. My 2012 MBP is not going to get upgraded after all this continuing bad news.

 

[KPOM]

Pretty much every company on the planet uses Ethernet because it's a damn site faster and safer then wireless.
And Apples own TimeCapsule machines work best with gigabit Ethernet and are MUCH faster using this then using wireless, and it wasn't until the new 2016 models have you needed to use an apdater with an adapter for Ethernet, if you go Apples route. Because they have deliberately gimped the third part adapter USB C support the new laptops have!
Oh and the 15" MacBook Pro as I understand has only had soldered SSD drives since this new 2016 machine... FYI...

My company uses wireless. Anyway, there are USB-C to Ethernet adapters if you need them. Just because Apple doesn't sell one doesn't mean they don't exist or aren't a viable solution. The whole point of USB-C is that it is the new industry standard.
[doublepost=1480875548][/doublepost]

I agree that Jobs wouldn't bother to go USB-C only, but the problem is that they have a major product with no way to connect to a USB-C computer without adapter. This, I think, Jobs would never conceive.

There is a USB-C to Lightning cable if you are talking the iPhone and iPad. However, those devices no longer "need" to connect to each other. He probably would be more upset that iCloud integration isn't better than it is.

 

[mkeeley]

My company uses wireless. Anyway, there are USB-C to Ethernet adapters if you need them. Just because Apple doesn't sell one doesn't mean they don't exist or aren't a viable solution. The whole point of USB-C is that it is the new industry standard.

Except if you read you'll see that USB-C peripherals are hit and miss as to whether they'll work, e.g.
9to5mac.com/2016/06/09/usb-c-apple-macbook/

 

[KPOM]

Suddenly replacing the battery in my mid 2012 MacBook Air looks like a much better option than spending $1,800 for blown speakers, graphics issues, a loss of ports, and worse battery life.

You are just hearing the hyperbole. The first two issues you note are software related (and the first is fixed already). I suspect so is the battery life. It's been obvious since the 12" MacBook that Apple would fully embrace USB-C. I really like the new 13" MacBook Pro.

Remember, the Surface Book had a lot of growing pains last year with bad graphics drivers, yet now is lauded on these forums as a "halo" device for Microsoft.
[doublepost=1480875865][/doublepost]

Except if you read you'll see that USB-C peripherals are hit and miss as to whether they'll work, e.g.
9to5mac.com/2016/06/09/usb-c-apple-macbook/

It's an evolving standard, but the general rule is the same as it's always been. Most of the issues have been with cheap knockoff peripherals. It was like that in the early days of USB-A. At least USB-C is backward compatible with USB-A. USB-C to A adapters are pretty easy to produce.

 

[dwsolberg]

[doublepost=1480872529][/doublepost]

Can I ask what brightness your screen is set to? Im fascinated what I need to do to get 12 hours. That would be double my best, and that is web browsing .

I keep my screen at about 80% (4 ticks below max). I use Safari for web browsing because Chrome eats battery like it's candy. Other than that, I generally have Mail and Notes open. I watch some videos, but not a lot. Sometimes I have the most recent version of Microsoft Word or Excel open. That gets me a solid 10-12 hours on my 15" MBP with touch bar.

Coconut battery says I have 101% of design capacity.

 

[KPOM]

I use ethernet at every opportunity. Try it sometime and you'll see why.

I stopped using Ethernet years ago and haven't looked back. RJ-45 was one of the most poorly thought-out connectors in history. We still have them around our office but are phasing them out. Most of them are missing the plastic pin.

Those downloads are fast until the cable slides out of the port.

 

[graafisk]

One thing I have noticed is that the use of an external Thunderbolt monitor drains the battery like crazy, just as expressed in this article.

Anybody asking their MBP to power an external monitor has NO business complaining about rapid battery drain. What do these people think powers their huge screens? Happy thoughts and pixie dust? iPad "magic"?!

 

[KPOM]

After the graphics issue, this one pushed me to cancel my order. I'll just wait until they iron out these issues! First Apple order I've ever cancelled!

I haven't noticed any of these issues, apart from the occasional artifacts on the screen as it wakes from sleep. That will be fixed in a software update and isn't that annoying. If you have a 2014 or 2015, it may make sense to wait, but if you are upgrading from a 2012 or anything prior, just go for it.

 

[dan110]

I know I'm going to get knives thrown at me for this one, but it finally dawned on me the other day.

I have a theory that Apple is actively trying to transition away from the company that we grew up loving based on its hardware and OS X. It is now moving into a "services" company.

There was some news recently showing that its services were the only part of the company to show significant growth while the rest has begun to stall.

So, we should all expect more disappointments and shocking embarrassments from Tim, Phil, and pals. They really don't care about what we care about. All they care about are those hefty multimillion dollar "stock options" and they're gong to take the company to wherever will lead to that end.

 

[kattskrall]

A majority of the people complaining about poor battery life are using Chrome and won't even entertain using Safari.

You should be able to use a god damn browser regardless who makes it on a "pro" level machine. God damn apologists

 

[KPOM]

You should be able to use a god damn browser regardless who makes it on a "pro" level machine. God damn apologists

Chrome is a resource hog on every platform. Bad software can ruin performance on any hardware. It's not Apple's fault Google either can't or doesn't care to optimize their software for the OS that it is running on.

 

[iReality85]

"Currently I'm powering a 1080p external monitor and casually browsing with Chrome. At full charge, I'm getting an estimate of 3 hours battery life. With gaming it's even less."


With all due respect to this MR forum goer who MR quoted for this article, I legitimately can't tell if this is a troll complaint.

First off, the person is powering an external 1080p monitor that's drawing 20-30 watts (typical), depending on the monitor.

Second, they say they're using Chrome. 'Nuff said.

Third, statements like "casually browsing" are completely arbitrary. What is 'casually browsing' here? We have no context (perhaps this was explained in their original post?). Are we talking one tab? Multiple tabs? What sites? What is running on those sites (ads, scripts, etc). There's a ton of variables here.

Fourth, the argument is not helped by their final claim about gaming. Gaming? It's not surprising that gaming is a massive drain to battery life, for non-gaming oriented laptops. If anything, this frames for me the OP's usage habits, which seem to be more of what you might do with a desktop.

Don't misunderstand me, I am NOT defending Apple. I think it's completely absurd they once again thinned their 'pro' machines. But this kind of quotation on battery life lends little evidence counter to Apple's claims, because the person's usage seems suspect.

 

[MH01]

Chrome is a resource hog on every platform. Bad software can ruin performance on any hardware. It's not Apple's fault Google either can't or doesn't care to optimize their software for the OS that it is running on.

Do you realise this is not a chrome issue? I get poor performance on safari, all my testing has been on safari.

It's interesting how many on here are trying to deflect away from the actual issue that the thread is about . We have plenty of threads on poor chrome performance.....please don't turn this thread into another one.

 

[Palliser]

You do realise that for Apple to ensure that the device will get X hours of battery life, the device would have to limit the maximum amount of current drawn from the battery, or start throttling applications. Now I can imagine the headlines if it was discovered that Apple was throttling Chrome or Firefox to ensure that the user's battery lasts for as long as Apple has advertised.

The problem with fast computers is that they use a lot of power when pushed. The problem also with fast computers is that they allow developers to write lazy code. "Hey, its a quad core 3.2GHz processor, it doesn't matter if my application is running at 80% CPU on one core, the system will still have the other three".

Yeah I get that. I'm simply saying that for ~$2k+ for the machine, it should hold up to close to the battery life numbers Apple throws out there. Thats all. IF it is a Chrome issue, it would behoove Google to fix any issues with Chrome if it is found to be taking a lot of life from the battery vs a competitor browser like Safari. Because if Safari really does provide a lot more battery life... ppl may be more inclined to use it. I'm hopeful Apple can sort out these issues for all newcomers to Mac (and anyone who upgraded) but right now I am very happy with and appreciate how well done my Late 2013 MBP Retina has been and continues to hold up... hopefully they will get it figured out quickly.