MacBook Pro 2011 Battery Re-Charging Issue

To all of those who are giving tips on how to use less power: Let me explain something to you. I realize a lot of you may never have this problem, as you did in fact purchase a $2400 facebook machine, but then you get people (like myself) who are developers for iPhone, iPad and Android who would like to use this machine for development.

It’s not fair that I purchased this computer based off the specs it has in it. I understand how technology works, along with the hardware and the power behind it – I’ve been doing this for 10 years now. The point is, I bought this computer only because I wanted to continue developing applications for the iPhone and iPad. I could have bought an Asus G72J for approximately $1000 cheaper and ran hackintosh, but because I wanted to do the honest thing, I purchased my first macbook pro. The thing about it is, the Asus I really wanted to buy handles a full load on the machine without any hiccups. This mac should be able too. Don’t say “well you are using it wrong” because realistically speaking, the correct way to use it is defined by the user. I think people who buy it just for going on facebook are using it wrong – but they are in love with the machine.

In any case, I have been suggested to upgrade to a Mac Pro. Okay, so it’s an interesting solution but let’s take a look here: A mac pro costs approximately twice this macbook (for similar hardware of the machine I built for 1200. Yes, seriously. I used radeon 5770s, they were 180 a piece. Apple wants 500)… and its not mobile.

I bought the macbook because I don’t sit at home and program all day – sometimes, I have to go to conventions where I program, or I go to seminars… Regardless… I can’t always be sitting at home to program.

I am officially boycotting Apple after this, as their customer service has sucked, they have been unprofessional, and do not care about their developers. You would think that they would treat a developer better. One would think.

You act like your smart or something because you were able to, 'build,' a computer. Anyone who grew up in the 90's has been building computers and knows that that is not a solution to a laptop problem. As for me, my render farm and my laptop are separate.

I was able to fix the battery problems myself, and I do use Blender, Premiere and After Effects plus do heavy video and photo processing on this machine regularly. Apple probably recommended you upgrade to a Mac Pro because you think you know everything about the computer. That you assume that most people buy their macbook pros for facebook is like a ridiculously postmodern freudian insecurity and sort of suggestive that you actually do.

t.mcat wrote:

You act like your smart or something because you were able to, 'build,' a computer. Anyone who grew up in the 90's has been building computers and knows that that is not a solution to a laptop problem. As for me, my render farm and my laptop are separate.

I was able to fix the battery problems myself, and I do use Blender, Premiere and After Effects plus do heavy video and photo processing on this machine regularly. Apple probably recommended you upgrade to a Mac Pro because you think you know everything about the computer. That you assume that most people buy their macbook pros for facebook is like a ridiculously postmodern freudian insecurity and sort of suggestive that you actually do.

No.

pros599 was actually correct in what he said.

There is no excuse for the laptops draining the battery and powering off like they do, no matter how you use it.

Using less power is NOT a FIX. Its a workaround.

You're crippleing the performance in order to make it work and thats just not right.

In my opinion, if you don't notice the laptop battery drain you don't need a macbook pro (eg, you're a "facebook user")

On another note, If pros599 thinks he's the next linus travoilds because he's built a PC or hackintosh why would anyone possibly give a sh-t let alone write a message about how strongly they feel about it.

t.mcat wrote:

You act like your smart or something because you were able to, 'build,' a computer. Anyone who grew up in the 90's has been building computers and knows that that is not a solution to a laptop problem. As for me, my render farm and my laptop are separate.

I was able to fix the battery problems myself, and I do use Blender, Premiere and After Effects plus do heavy video and photo processing on this machine regularly. Apple probably recommended you upgrade to a Mac Pro because you think you know everything about the computer. That you assume that most people buy their macbook pros for facebook is like a ridiculously postmodern freudian insecurity and sort of suggestive that you actually do.

First, I have to say that I'm terribly sorry if I was giving the impression that I was "smart because I know how to build a computer", as my intentions of that post were none of that sort. I don't even claim to have intellegence knowing how to program, as I believe everything can be learned as a skill. Nonetheless, My point with my post is that there is a major flaw that is occuring in these machines and that Apple is refusing to do anything about it.

Assuming you have a 2011 Macbook Pro and have a Radien Video Card in it (6750 or 6770), I can assure you there is nothing you can do to fix the issue. You have not fixed your issue, and will not be able to without a release of a better power adapter for the MBP (which I don't see happening) or a lower power machine (which obviously defeats the purpose of the original purchase).

Here's how I can prove it to you having never seen your computer or seen you. First: Bring your battery below 95%. Apple's power manager lies and shows the machine is charged if it's not below 95%. Seocnd, Open Photo Booth (You know... Apple's photobooth) and start recording a video. While the video is recording, plug your machine back in and wait a half hour or so and you will notice that the machine will not charge and will actually discharge. If this doesn't work for your machine, or it's "magically fixed": you aren't doing something right. I was able to walk in to the apple store and reproduce the issue on every demo (15 and 17 inches) that had those radeon cards. That was literally 10 computers.

Now, I know "MacBooks aren't designed for Windows" but, this issue is a lot more obvious on the Windows 7 side as the software that Apple has spidered in the system isn't allowed to downclock the CPU or GPU in Windows.

If you don't want to wait a half hour, you can of course use the system information button under the apple to see that the power will be negative and that the machine is discharging.

And 256fx is right on with what I mean. If you don't notice this issue and it's not a problem for you - you really don't need that computer; but then there are people such as my self who will be programming or rendering (while traveling) and have the machine cut off due to lack of a charge. It *****, after working for a few hours and losing everything. It ***** that I have to constantly remember to check my power usage.

And finally, no I do not think that I am a Linus Travloid, or even on a similar level as him. I have to admit, I have always had issues expressing my thoughts online as I've grown up in a digital world behind a screen - Never really got out much. So if it seemed like I was making that comparison, again, I'm terribly sorry about that.

same problem here on MBP 15" late 2011 2.2 i7....it's very annoying...I don't know what to do anymore...

Recently after a video call on Skype when the processor is used between 30-40%, battery not decrease during the conversation, but when I finish the call my mac suddenly start to show that is charging and 93% battery level after two hours on skype...in the past began charging during conversation...why? should I be worried?

how long takes your macbook to charge?

Charging time varies from one model to another, depends on many factors, and can vary widely. It depends most heavily on whether or not the machine is used during charging, and if it is, on how hard it's working.

I know that the time for charging depends on how to use the computer. I mean only when the computer is started without the hardware being stressed out, maybe to play music. I installed gfxcardstatus and disabled dedicated video card and now no matter what I'm doing my baterry is charging; so video card needs so much power?

Yes, the dedicated GPU is usually a major culprit when a MBP stops charging while in use. It's a huge power consumer.

Your machine will charge in a shorter time when it's asleep or shut down than when it's playing music. You'll have to determine for yourself how much of a difference it makes.

thanks for your help

Apple Bug 9271122, it's been reported and for anyone who actually calls or visits an Apple genius bar - they know.

Nobody is promissing anything because they can't - but it's obviously an issue they're working on.

My assumption - they'll release software update that fixes this problem. 85w should be more than enough to run the i7 and GPU without a problem.

If you look up the power requirements for an i7 CPU and discrete GPU, no software update in the world can alter the fundamental physics of not enough power. I switched to a similarly spec'ed Windows laptop and the power supply is rated at 120W -- there are no issues with power in any scenario. It's not a Windows vs. OSX thing, it's pure engineering; Apple simply chose to maintain a smaller power supply with the consequences we experience. If it's a real problem, switch to a PC. However, chances are that it's not really a problem in typical use even for some of us on this thread. It was for me, so I switched.

ShawnLive wrote:

If you look up the power requirements for an i7 CPU and discrete GPU, no software update in the world can alter the fundamental physics of not enough power. I switched to a similarly spec'ed Windows laptop and the power supply is rated at 120W -- there are no issues with power in any scenario. It's not a Windows vs. OSX thing, it's pure engineering; Apple simply chose to maintain a smaller power supply with the consequences we experience. If it's a real problem, switch to a PC. However, chances are that it's not really a problem in typical use even for some of us on this thread. It was for me, so I switched.

Errr, No

Power supply output has nothing to do with battery life, just battery recharge time, but nice try.

I see what you're saying and I agree to a point - however I can't locate specific power consumption specs on the Radeon GPU, so I have to trust apple engineers took the total power consumption of all components into consideration when they decided the 85w PSU was acceptable.

Now in reality it appears to make perfect sense that running full bore - the MBP is boosting its power supply with the battery because of a design flaw. And many times the simplest answer is the most correct.

Have you called Apple about this?