Catalina 10.15.3 Mac Book Pro dies
I've had already a few disruptions when the MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) dies while running apps like Final Cut Pro X, or VMware Fusion (more processor demand - fans kick in). This happens even though battery shows 80%, and condition: Normal (by clicking the battery icon with alt key).
The new software update to 10.15.3 arrived on friday. After that, while editing videos with Final Cut Pro X, the Mac died. Plugging power in, I was surprised the battery charge was not that low (meaning neglect to plug power on my side).
Most of the time I let battery drain up to 20% before I plug power in.
Running again Final Cut Pro X later on, and after battery fully charged, it happened again.
I performed a Pram zap, let the battery drain completely, and fully recharge it, in order to make a full power cycle and reset eventual drifts. I use a powered USB hub to connect 3 USB devices at the time.
I noticed that using the externally powered USB hub on battery it made the battery indicator jump from @80% to almost full. I figured the external power to the USB hub was injecting power to the Mac making a mess. I ruled out the hub, by hooking one external drive directly, and using only one external USB drive.
Still when Final Cut Pro X starts kicking the processor, it will sleep at levels well over 50%. I have to plug power, hit the shift key several times, and eventually the Mac wakes up again.
I've been eyeing battery level intensely after these episodes.
Just minutes ago I launched Fusion, battery was just fully recharged an hour ago (I mean I had plenty of battery power, and anyway I have used and abused battery power with no problems before).
After a couple of minutes of intensive Windows processor work, the Mac died.
I decided to reset the power settings under Preferences, just in case. I do like to give the Mac a bit more time before screen turns off, and more time before sleep.
Right now, the Mac behaves as usual. Battery is on 83%, I've been using battery for about 40min.
The issue seems to be heavy processor use, and probably excessive power drain (as if battery level is checked every 5 mins, and it finds out there's no more juice - even worse, looks like battery won't hold charge anymore - That's why I check the battery condition that says it's OK). Although connecting the AC adapter quickly restores battery levels to upper 3/4.
With processor mostly on idle, or web browsing, using apps that do not demand heavy processor loads, it seems as the Mac is working as it should be, and battery lasts for hours, as it should be.
OS Catalina 10.15.3 (19D76)
MacBookPro11,3
Quad-Core Intel Core i7
2,5 GHz
16 GB memory
158.0.0.0.0 Boot ROM
2.19f12 SMC Version (System)
206.36 GB Disk Memory available (out of 500 GB)
Final Cut Pro X vers 10.4.8
VMware Fusion vers 11.5.1
