Good Day!
After upgrading my MacBook Air from 2015 to Big Sour, the battery doesn't last more than 30 minutes.
Is there something I can do, or should consider changing the computer?
Thank you in advance
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.5
Try these steps first before buying a new Mac.
1. Reset SMC: How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support Choose the appropriate method.
Quote:
Resetting the system management controller (SMC) can resolve certain issues related to power, battery, fans,
and other features.
2. Startup in Safe Mode. https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac.
Quote:
It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility.
And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and
the kernel cache, which are automatically created again as needed.
3. Battery Management.
How battery health management helps
The battery health management feature in macOS 10.15.5 is designed to improve your battery's lifespan
by reducing the rate at which it chemically ages.
The feature does this by monitoring your battery's temperature history and its charging patterns.
Based on the measurements that it collects, battery health management
may reduce your battery's maximum charge when in this mode.
This happens as needed to ensure that your battery charges to a level that's optimized for your usage
—reducing wear on the battery, and slowing its chemical aging.
Battery health management also uses the measurements to calculate when your battery needs service.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211094?cid=mc-ols-energy_saver-article_ht211094-macos_ui-04022020'
4. Section: Tips for MacBooks
https://www.apple.com/uk/batteries/maximizing-performance/
Try these steps first before buying a new Mac.
1. Reset SMC: How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support Choose the appropriate method.
Quote:
Resetting the system management controller (SMC) can resolve certain issues related to power, battery, fans,
and other features.
2. Startup in Safe Mode. https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac.
Quote:
It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility.
And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and
the kernel cache, which are automatically created again as needed.
3. Battery Management.
How battery health management helps
The battery health management feature in macOS 10.15.5 is designed to improve your battery's lifespan
by reducing the rate at which it chemically ages.
The feature does this by monitoring your battery's temperature history and its charging patterns.
Based on the measurements that it collects, battery health management
may reduce your battery's maximum charge when in this mode.
This happens as needed to ensure that your battery charges to a level that's optimized for your usage
—reducing wear on the battery, and slowing its chemical aging.
Battery health management also uses the measurements to calculate when your battery needs service.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211094?cid=mc-ols-energy_saver-article_ht211094-macos_ui-04022020'
4. Section: Tips for MacBooks
https://www.apple.com/uk/batteries/maximizing-performance/
Batteries are considered Consumable Products. Over time it will degrade to a point where it needs to be replaced. The usage is normal as the capacity will go up and down all the time and never stay always at 100%. Apple Batteries are rated for 1000 Full Battery Cycles and / or 80% Capacity before needing Evaluation or replacement.
For additional reading on Battery and Apple Computers this link may help. About battery health management in Mac notebooks and especially for the M1 and Big Sur If battery charging is paused or on hold on your Mac
A feature introduced into Big Sur was to preserve the number of Full Battery Cycles - there was an Algorithm coded into the macOS. It is perfectly Normal for Big Sur to Pause / Suspend charging the battery beyond 80% and hold it at that level. One can nudge / over-ride this by clicking the Battery Icon on Desktop Top Bar and allow charging beyond 80%. From observations, it will Pause / Suspend again once reading 90%. Same procedure to over-ride and will charge to 100%
Battery Performances
