At 4000mAh should be get a new battery for free?

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Level 1

140 points

At 4000mAh should be get a new battery for free?

Ok, so - if Apple says that after about 300 cycles our batteries should provide 80% of their original charge - and Our batteries start with about 5000 (mine arrived new with 3 cycles on it at 4956 mAh max capacity) - then if our max capacity - as listed by the Apple System Profiler - is less than 4000 mAh should we get a new battery?

I am curious because I have had my Rev 2 Air for 2 weeks, and the cycle count is now 5, and my Max battery capacity is now listed at 4500mAh. so, my battery is now only retaining %90 of it's original charge. in 2 weeks.

If it drops below 4000 I will try a re-calibration etc - but if the max capacity stays below 4000 after only a few months use is it new battery time?

Message was edited by: McGilli

Mac Air V2 1.86 SSD 128, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 24, 2008 9:13 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 26, 2008 2:16 AM in response to McGilli

I actually have the same problem that you do. I posted this in another topic here: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8504529#8504529

I've had mine now for 3 weeks and it's still at 90%. This is a bit troublesome since that extra 5-10% I could be having could last me for another 10-15 minutes of use.

Hopefully we both find an answer.

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Answer 2

McGilli Author

Level 1

140 points

Nov 26, 2008 12:19 PM in response to McGilli

Hmmm... I think I will stop paying attention to the battery for a while...

Today, I turned on the MBA and now it says my max battery capacity is back up to 4900 - when it was down to 4500 just a few days ago. It has been plugged in the whole time. Just seems to change that number on its own. Or the battery is wonky....

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Answer 3

Nov 27, 2008 6:23 AM in response to McGilli

I know this is not a helpful answer, but I have been using Mac portables for almost 10 years now, and no matter what I use, powerbook, macbook, macbook pro, macbook air I have NEVER seen the battery meter to be correct.

I wouldn't worry about it and just enjoy your macbook air.

By the way, I have used my portables day in day out for a couple years at a time and have never seen any battery degredation on any of them, even with charging every single day. A charge recycle means a complete emptying of the battery and a complete recharge to full -- using half a battery over a day and recharging only counts as less than half a recharge cycle.

People get way too concerned about battery life with macs. If you see any weird battery problem within the first year you have free replaement if needed. If you get extended Apple Care you get two more years of free battery replacement if needed.

Frankly, I've traded up to a new model long before there is any battery degradation.

But the meters NEVER show accurate charges. I've been ignoring them for years.

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