2011 Macbook Pro 13.3" Battery Life

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2011 Macbook Pro 13.3" Battery Life

I recently bought a Macbook Pro 13.3" to replace my other Macbook Pro 13.3 (2010). I notice that the battery life of the new unit is way below my expectation and way below the older version was providing.

i would to know that is it a hardware issue or and software issue.

the 2011 model that i got can last only about less than 2 hours.. while the 2010 model that i used to have can last up to 4 to 6 hours.

and basically i am running the same apps no additional.

macbook pro 13.3, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Mar 22, 2011 9:17 AM

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Answer 1

IlLupo

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Mar 23, 2011 12:54 PM in response to fieldwarp

I have got the same problem.. it lasts less than 2 hours. Any advice? Thanks

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Answer 2

Mar 23, 2011 6:45 PM in response to fieldwarp

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I just recently purchased my first Apple product after years of PC-dom, and I've thoroughly enjoyed most of the experience. The online shopping was easy, product delivered quickly, easy to open and use, and the computer is wonderful in most every way. However, I made this change to the Macbook because I have always heard good things about the products, specifically that you get what you pay for. Now, I'm a little put off by the fact that I paid $1,200 for something that isn't living up to, at least in my usage experience, half of its projected battery life. I don't know, maybe the measurements were on low-level usage or screen brightness or something. I just thought a lot of these problems would be left behind with PC's; I hope more don't come up soon.

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Answer 3

doyyy

Level 1

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Mar 23, 2011 8:21 PM in response to fieldwarp

Hi, I got a 2011 13" as well but my battery runs great. I don't really do anything intense yet but watching a movie and internet browsing can last me almost 5 hours.

Have you tried calibrating your battery ?? apple suggest that first time you buy a macbook pro, you need to calibrate the battery and once a month afterwards. Its really easy and you can find the how to on apple website.

hope that fix your problem

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Answer 4

thstows

Level 1

8 points

Mar 25, 2011 2:34 AM in response to doyyy

Do you have I5 processor, I tried a machine in store said 10 hours on the battery left indicator, now find out that has a different processor and the machine I have with i5 lasts 2.5 hours max, still I am on the second one and will be returning that if it does the same and will continue to do so until Apple fess up and do something about it

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Answer 5

kevin_

Level 4

1,561 points

Mar 25, 2011 2:52 AM in response to fieldwarp

I also have a 2011 MacBook Pro and experienced the drop in battery power.

The cause of this on my system was the graphics card never switched to the integrated graphics when on battery. It was always using the ATI card even though i had the energy prefs set to switch to the integrated graphics when on battery.

The solution for me was to download and install gfxCardStatus from http://codykrieger.com/gfxCardStatus

I have it set to use the integrated graphics card when on battery. Even with this utility, the graphics card doesn't always switch, but it gives me the option to manually switch graphic cards.

I am now getting about 6 hours of battery life on normal use.

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Answer 6

thstows

Level 1

8 points

Mar 29, 2011 5:11 AM in response to IlLupo

My advice is send it back. I did and my second machine is a completely different beast. running all the same aps in the same way gives me at least 7 hours as opposed to 3.5hrs, 10 mins later 2.5hours etc. I can not believe the difference in identical build machines on a straight out of the box basis. Apple really have an issue here, unless it is a real minority who suffer this problem and by the sounds of this thread continue to do so.

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Answer 7

Mar 29, 2011 12:42 PM in response to fieldwarp

Same problem here!
I think it's pretty ridiculous that we must install a 3rd party app to get better battery life - this should be something that happens out of the box!

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Answer 8

Sep 10, 2011 10:25 PM in response to fieldwarp

I have the same problem. However, I have installed a 1TB HD and 8GB RAM. I wouldn't think this would make such a difference, though. But to return the computer would first involve returning the drive and RAM, quite an effort! And would they consider it void?

At first, yes with the HD and RAM installed, I was getting readings of 6-10 hours when charged. This degradation took place suddenly and just days later, and now I am getting 2 hours when full. One of the main reasons I got this new computer was the battery life. What a crock of S. I am horrified by this. This is worse battery life than my 2008 black MacBook got after the battery degraded a year.

What would you do?

--relentlesscactus

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Answer 9

Sep 10, 2011 10:27 PM in response to relentlesscactus

OH! And the ability to reset the battery manager seems impossible with the built-in batteries. Is there any way to reset the battery manager with an early 2011 Mac?

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Answer 10

Sep 10, 2011 11:51 PM in response to relentlesscactus

well, I zapped the PRAM and it seems to have helped, now up to about 4-5 hours.

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Answer 11

Sep 11, 2011 7:39 AM in response to fieldwarp

Maybe the problems with the battery are caused by the graphic processor, in which case you have an option in the economizer where you can choose your graphic modes when using battery. If it is ticked, untick it and then tick it again. My MBP 15" 2011 works perfectly, even with Lion.

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Answer 12

Sep 11, 2011 9:58 AM in response to edgarfromburgos

edgar-- Say what? The "economizer"? Are you messing with me? What is that? I don't see it anywhere. I zapped the pram and got 5 hours, but then it ran down and I recharged and now it is back to 2 hours, which is WAY less than the advertised seven hours. This stinks.

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Answer 13

Sep 11, 2011 7:42 PM in response to relentlesscactus

OK, mostly solved. I went to the Genius Bar today, and the guy is like, "do you always have all those tabs open? That could cause your power problem." And I'm like, "yeah right, I've always got tons of tabs open". Sounded like an Apple excuse.

But he runs the Activity meter, and then shows me the amp usage under power, and turns out all these open tabs using shockwave are sucking electricity constantly. Took awhile to understand, but I had two browsers with dozens of tabls open, and that what doing it. At least doubled or tripled the remaining hours.

So it's real important not to have all those tabs open. So I'm looking into better ways to manage my news reading that having tons of tabs open. I wish I'd know this long ago, as the battery on my black MacBook is probably OK after all.

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Answer 14

Sep 18, 2011 2:49 AM in response to fieldwarp

got the same problem.lasts 3-4 hours on energy saver preferences but i want 7 hours. what is wrong with this system anyway.buying an apple product in pakistan seems like buying a new house i.e. its veryyyyyyyyy expensive. my dad is also disappointed that we didn't get the phenominal battery life apple said so. even after paying loads of cash.now they say that there is no service for apple products in pakistan.WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO .i should have bought the VAIO or HP laptop . cheap and with the same specs with 3 years warranty. better than the 3 hour battery life

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Answer 15

Oct 7, 2011 7:11 PM in response to harrisfromrawalpindi

Hello everyone, I was just going to let you know, if your macbook was SHIPPED with LION.
Do a reinstall of it and you will see improvements. (instructions in your manual)

My battery meter at the top before never went higher than 4 hours. its up at 7 right now, and im seeing the difference. Its lasting longer.
hope this helps.

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