New MacBook Air M1 Owners - Whats Your Cycle Count Out of the Box?

[MarkMR]

There are numerous threads reporting a large variance in the number of battery cycles (anywhere from 0 to 18) from brand new MacBooks purchased directly from Apple.

I have no idea if it's common or not. I assume most people never look at this when first using their device. I also can't think of any reason there would be such a large variance (18 cycles of "testing" doesn't make much sense to me).

If you have a brand new M1 (or even just a few days old), please take a look and share your cycle count.

I don't know if a high or low initial cycle count actually influences anything, but we may be able to spot a trend or define what's normal.

You can check your cycle count by clicking the Apple logo in the top left, choosing to "About This Mac", pressing "System Report", and looking at the "Power" section.

Here's mine from a base MacBook Air M1 purchased from an Apple store yesterday (battery date 2020-11-09, system date 2020-11-23).

Other discussions:

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/kdolnz

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/kfja6k

 

[Mxbzz]

Cycle count is at 1, and I'm pretty sure that's from me plugging in. Have had the M1MBA for about 10 days.

 

[Invisible Elf]

I had 0 or 1, don’t recall which

 

[faxao]

had 1 on my MBA M1 (now 4 after three weeks of light use). Battery health 97% though, which I would not expect from a brand new laptop.

 

[lambertjohn]

Mine was 1 right out of the box. Might be more now that I've had it for a few weeks. Trying not to look at the count because Apple controls the count now with their forced battery management features. But I could be wrong with that so someone correct me if I am.

 

[Quackers]

1 on mine straight out of the box.

 

[CheesePuff]

I've handled numerous Apple-refurnished and brand new MacBook Air and Pro models over the past few years, and never have I seen one with more then 1 cycle. If it isn't 0 or 1 I would exchange it.

 

[prism]

If I were in your shoes, I would certainly exchange it!

 

[Deeps]

Mine is 1 and got last Friday, has been plugged in when in use so the battery is at 100% health.

 

[MarkMR]

I had been talking myself into ignoring it, but after seeing these replies (and way too much Googling) I'm exchanging it.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

Mine was 1.

 

[ChrisChaval]

1 here too

 

[sky87]

Just picked up an M1 MBA today from the Apple store. This MBA has not yet been plugged in. Battery cycle count is 1.

 

[MarkMR]

I exchanged it. The one I have now has 1 cycle.

 

[maximizer]

```Unbelievable, just got my few hours ago. 17 cycles - Count ((( Would go tomorrow to store to exchange it(((

 

[Bclawson]

1 over here

 

[JLH81]

Mine was 1.

I believe it was 1 on mine as well.

 

[solo118]

1 for me

 

[Zazoh]

I don’t even know how it would be over 1, it would take more than 10 days to hit your count. Mine was one.

 

[maximizer]

Just replaced my mbp to new one. This time 2 counts Better then 17 counts

 

[kang8609]

1

 

[sky87]

Got another MBA (changing to 16GB) - this one is also cycle count 1.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Mine had 1

 

[anwedr]

Booted up the Air and cycle count is 1.

 

[Frankznew]

I received directly from Apple 1 MacBook Air M1 today with battery status showing 2 cycle counts out of the box.
I have also received 2 days ago 1 MacBook Pro M1 with battery status showing 15 cycle counts out of the box.
Both 16gb and 2tb configurations bought at Apple online store in early December and shipped directly from China in early January. I am assuming it is all normal as it was shipped straight from Apple's contract manufacturers and not a 3rd party sale open box. My previous MacBook's that I bought also all from Apple they came all with 0~1 cycle count range...