MacBook Pro Users Express Concerns About Limited Battery Life

[Phoenixx]

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

For f*cks sake Apple. Make the thing twice the thickness, put in a battery that lasts for 24 hours of REAL USE, and then boast about how the machine lasts longer than anything else on the market. No one cares how thin their laptop is, when it dies after 3 hours of real world use.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

I was thinking of upgrading my 2013 rMBP... kind of hesitant now. SUCH a shame.

As per normal. All first generation Apple products have these sorts of issues.

 

[dilbert99]

Before the battery died (spilled coffee on the thing) in my 2013 13" rMBP I routinely got 10-13 hours out of the battery. It worked as advertised.

I'd consider replacing the battery, but I wonder if it's worth it now, since I think Apple will obsolete it in 2 years.

(Anyone know if that's a stupid worry or not?)

Is the battery in the 2013 that much better than the 2012?

I was getting 3 hours out of mine after 4 years when only using safari and onboard graphics.

I only ever got a max of 5-7 hours.

As for replacing battery, if it needs replacing, do it before 5 years is up cos it's going to be next to impossible to get a replacement. That and its glued in tighter than "insert quote here"

 

[sevoneone]

There are people reporting 2 hour battery life using Final Cut. It can't be just out down to Chrome.

This. People need to stop screaming and pointing at Chrome. Is Chrome less efficient? Yes, no one is disputing that it uses a ton of energy. The problem is a 2015 model with a less efficient cpu/gpu is getting significantly more battery life than the new model running the same inefficient task. That task might be browsing in Chrome, it might be editing in Final Cut, it might also be using Safari. Forgive the pun, but comparing apples to apples, it has been found multiple times now that the old models have notably better battery life if doing the same tasks on the two machines.

The answer here is not and can not be "You're browsing the web wrong."

 

[Roller]

so i spoke to apple today, it must of been work experience day as the first person i spoke to was adamant of the following :- 1, no laptop is capable of running for 10 hours and the 10 hours quoted were standby time. i said its quoted by apple its 10 hours and she still insisted.
2, she then got me to look how many cycles by battery had which was 7, and its status which was normal. i was told this was impossible and the figure should be over 1000. she then went away and when she came back said this was actualy normal.

i then got passed to 2nd line support who connected to my machine and had a poke around and found nothing wierd then because i am running 10.12.2 because i thought it would address the situation of battery and they disconnected from my machine and said they cant do any more until i install 10.12.1

i am so annoyed with this machine at the moment and they need to rectify this issue quicktime otherwise its getting returned.

of all my support experience with apple its been exceptional but this incident was just shocking.

Apple has never been particularly transparent about issues like this. I suspect that at this point support and store personnel haven't been told anything specific. It's frustrating—I have a MacBook Pro on the way and won't be satisfied if battery life is substantially less than what Apple advertised—but I'm waiting to see what happens.

 

[tampageek]

As long as Apple can keep a massive profit margin on these, they have no reason to change much, even if they sell fewer. The return rate might take a bite out of that, but i think they've gone cheap on the components so that may take a while.

Still, Tim might want to remember that that Mac was the gateway to iPhone and the rest of the ecosystem. If we're lucky, he'll hit his head on something and wake up with a complete redesign far more reminiscent of older models as far as upgrade-ability, style & user friendly stuff - like ports and an OS that's not directly connected to the FBI. I don't care what they call it, as long as it's a "real" Mac.

 

[6836838]

As per normal. All first generation Apple products have these sorts of issues.

How did you determine this new mac to being first generation!?

 

[dilbert99]

I get 9 hour battery life on mine on 75% brightness and regular usage, like browsing, watching movies and stuff like that. When using it heavily (editing,gaming,musicproduction) im at desk plugged i.

Isn't Apples figures done at 50% brightness, would love to see your battery screenshot

 

[robeddie]

I was thinking of upgrading my 2013 rMBP... kind of hesitant now. SUCH a shame.

This video should appear on every page of every thread about the new macbook pro.

All the people blaming Chrome and everything else but Apple for the flaws in this machine - they're the one's in particular who should take the time to view this.

 

[CBlakeston]

it might be editing in Final Cut, it might also be using Safari.

I'm getting 2hrs with fcpx on battery.
[doublepost=1480890110][/doublepost]

Isn't Apples figures done at 50% brightness, would love to see your battery screenshot

Apple tests with the screen 12 clicks from 0. It's a little over half brightness.

 

[dilbert99]

Chrome knocks three hours off all MBPs. Not a good argument.

What size of battery does the new mbp have? I've heard people suggesting that comparatively it has a small battery and needs ultra efficient code to last any length of time.

If this were true it would be like saying you had to hypermile your car to get any distance out of it instead of driving it normally.

 

[sevoneone]

As per normal. All first generation Apple products have these sorts of issues.

Also this. The types of problems and shortcomings that are popping up are pretty normal for a 1st revision on any Apple device. I think it has just been a long time since there has been a major revision to the form-factor that we've forgotten. All of these early issues will be fixed in the next revision.

 

[Elijen]

Before the battery died (spilled coffee on the thing) in my 2013 13" rMBP I routinely got 10-13 hours out of the battery. It worked as advertised.

I'd consider replacing the battery, but I wonder if it's worth it now, since I think Apple will obsolete it in 2 years.

(Anyone know if that's a stupid worry or not?)

If you spilled a coffee on the thing it's probably fried. Replacing the battery won't help (the battery is probably fine).

 

[jimbobb24]

This is abnormal and likely not the norm for this product. Apple has many issues but over the past 10 yrs their battery estimates tend to be conservative. This is not the general and these people should talk to Apple and get these things fixed.

 

[MarsViolet]

Try running the same test without using Chrome! Its a MASSIVE power hog when compared to safari and chews CPU at a much higher rate when streaming video!!

Performing the same task Chrome has a power impact of 20+ with Safari sitting less than 9

If Apple wrote better apps, people would use them.

 

[sleepydinosaur]

Chrome is terrible on laptops. Non story.
[doublepost=1480890850][/doublepost]

If Apple wrote better apps, people would use them.

As opposed to Chrome which eats batteries?

 

[robeddie]

Also this. The types of problems and shortcomings that are popping up are pretty normal for a 1st revision on any Apple device. I think it has just been a long time since there has been a major revision to the form-factor that we've forgotten. All of these early issues will be fixed in the next revision.

STOP!

As I've argued before, how can you really consider this a 'first' of anything product!?! They've been making laptops for almost 3 friggin' decades! Sure they redesigned it, but for god's sake, you mean to tell me a multi billion dollar company with 40 years of experience making computers can't redesign an ongoing product line without it having multiple problems?

These "first generation' excuses need to stop. Really.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

A serious decline in quality control, innovation and direction after Steve died. That's what.

If it is okay with you, I will start a petition to bring Steve back from the dead.

 

[robeddie]

Chrome is terrible on laptops. Non story.
[doublepost=1480890850][/doublepost]
As opposed to Chrome which eats batteries?

Watch the video I reposted just a few posts above. Tell me how that guys review is misguided.
[doublepost=1480891051][/doublepost]

If it is okay with you, I will start a petition to bring Steve back from the dead.

While you're doing that, I'll start my petition to take Jonny Ive and Tim Cook to the dead.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

SMC reset people! It works!
Used to get 3-4 hrs on the 15, now getting a real 12-13 hours!!! Meaning the strongest battery I've ever had on any MacBook Pro!!!

I divorced my wife and abandoned my children and still have 6 hours.
[doublepost=1480891290][/doublepost]

Watch the video I reposted just a few posts above. Tell me how that guys review is misguided.
[doublepost=1480891051][/doublepost]

While you're doing that, I'll start my petition to take Jonny Ive and Tim Cook to the dead.

No fly list for you my friend.

 

[pat500000]

This. People need to stop screaming and pointing at Chrome. Is Chrome less efficient? Yes, no one is disputing that it uses a ton of energy. The problem is a 2015 model with a less efficient cpu/gpu is getting significantly more battery life than the new model running the same inefficient task. That task might be browsing in Chrome, it might be editing in Final Cut, it might also be using Safari. Forgive the pun, but comparing apples to apples, it has been found multiple times now that the old models have notably better battery life if doing the same tasks on the two machines.

The answer here is not and can not be "You're browsing the web wrong."

Sounds like Apple being deceitful again.

 

[KPOM]

but the supply chain doesn't function there's still a 3-4 week wait - are they banking the cash and building all to order?

The supply chain priority is the iPhone. Anyway, retail stores have stock and shipping times are 2-3 weeks now, though in-store pickups are pushed out to 1/2 at most stores. That said, if anything, it supports the view that actual demand is higher than one would gather by reading MacRumors. No, I don't think Apple is sandbagging supply during the busiest shopping quarter to make it look like demand is higher than it is. They might have just waited for Kaby Lake if they intended Fiscal Q2 to be the "real" launch.

 

[alvindarkness]

I was thinking of upgrading my 2013 rMBP... kind of hesitant now. SUCH a shame.

Good video review, thanks for posting it.

 

[KPOM]

For f*cks sake Apple. Make the thing twice the thickness, put in a battery that lasts for 24 hours of REAL USE, and then boast about how the machine lasts longer than anything else on the market. No one cares how thin their laptop is, when it dies after 3 hours of real world use.

I'm not buying a 6lb notebook. It isn't 2001 anymore.

 

[zedsdead]

the 2013 MacBook Air's/Pro's shipped with the Haswell chipset, which was showcased a major increase in both graphics and battery life.

That was the one I waited for (gen 2) on the rMBPs....this new unit is amazing, but I am starting to feel the same way. Although, back then the rumors were all saying that Haswell was going to be a major leap forward. We are not hearing that this time around.