Q: Lion - Horrible MacBook Pro Battery Life

I just want to add my contribution to this thread :

Same problem, Macbook Pro 13" early 2011 upgraded to Lion : battery life decreased by approximately 40-50% by only using Safari, Mail, Itunes. Screen lightness : 50-60%, Keyboard Ligntess : 0%.

I hope it will be fixed before 2012...

(We won't blame my english style because i'm french)

Poikkeus wrote:

 

It's not widely discussed here, but the last few posts alluded to the issue. Heat almost always relates to the battery issue; if your unit is hot all the time, you'll notice declining battery.

 

That's kind of obvious, since high battery activities like gaming and video conversion also use up quite a bit of battery. But it has another relevance; keeping your MBP as cool as possible will increase battery life - both long and short term. This is not meant to solve the current MBP battery woes; but the management of activity can lead to longer run times.

 

If it's any consolation, the Sony Vaio - an aluminum beauty - gets 4:32 just web browsing, and 2:22 with power guzzling activities.

I agree. I was just kidding around because of the movie quotation in his nickname; I couldn't resist.

BTW If by "keep your MBP as cool as possible" you mean to let it "vent", then you're right. Otherwise cold temperatues are battery enemy —talking in general.

About the consolation comparing to PCs: as we would say in my country it's magra. (Litterally "skinny", meaning it's a very little thing).

smc1107 wrote:

 

In response to Video Guy's post, here are the details of my issue:

I have a mid-2010 MacBook Pro. Was consistently getting 5+ hours on a fully charged battery. Now get about 2.5 maximum immediately post-Lion upgrade.

I don't experience the excessive heat issue and my fans aren't running at excessive speeds. However, my fans never rest and always operate at least on their low level if the computer is on. They  rev up to high during use when it would be expected (video playing, etc.).  But they used to shut off when computer wasn't in use or was only running a single program, etc. Now they're always running on low if the computer is on.

My overall use is very basic. I use Outlook, Word and Firefox. That's it. 2.5 hours...maybe 3 if I'm really lucky. If I use more than those three programs (e.g. turn on iTunes), I might get 1.5 hours tops.  Used to get 5-7 hours consistently even with my usual three apps plus iTunes or other apps running.

The last senior advisor I spoke with told me that this is likely just the new normal and that I might try turning off Wifi when I'm not using it. I tried explaining that when 2/3 of your use is Outlook and Firefox, turning off wifi is not a reasonable or practical solution on a machine that should be getting 5-7 hours on battery.

Glad Apple is paying attention. I know they have my number. They're welcome to use it. 

Can you post the speed of your laptop's fans?

Has anyone have any feedback on the new SMC firmware update for the macbook pro?  Has it improved the power management in your mac?

Rayced wrote:

 

smc1107 wrote:

 

In response to Video Guy's post, here are the details of my issue:

I have a mid-2010 MacBook Pro. Was consistently getting 5+ hours on a fully charged battery. Now get about 2.5 maximum immediately post-Lion upgrade.

I don't experience the excessive heat issue and my fans aren't running at excessive speeds. However, my fans never rest and always operate at least on their low level if the computer is on. They  rev up to high during use when it would be expected (video playing, etc.).  But they used to shut off when computer wasn't in use or was only running a single program, etc. Now they're always running on low if the computer is on.

My overall use is very basic. I use Outlook, Word and Firefox. That's it. 2.5 hours...maybe 3 if I'm really lucky. If I use more than those three programs (e.g. turn on iTunes), I might get 1.5 hours tops.  Used to get 5-7 hours consistently even with my usual three apps plus iTunes or other apps running.

The last senior advisor I spoke with told me that this is likely just the new normal and that I might try turning off Wifi when I'm not using it. I tried explaining that when 2/3 of your use is Outlook and Firefox, turning off wifi is not a reasonable or practical solution on a machine that should be getting 5-7 hours on battery.

Glad Apple is paying attention. I know they have my number. They're welcome to use it. 

 

Can you post the speed of your laptop's fans?@

 

 

@Rayced in the early days before I released that problem is result of the OS flaw I did check fan speed (2011 MBP 13") and every time it would be at the minimum, around 2000 rpm.

I know I'm probably beating a dead horse by posting the same problem, but I have a 15" 2009 MBP and my battery has decreased significantly after upgrading to Lion.  In hindsight, I wish I wouldn't have upgraded, but there is really no turning back now.  I have tried all of the fixes, none of them seeming to do anything, so I'll probably end up taking it to the Genius Bar some time next week to see if they can help or I can at least give them my logs so that I can help them come up with a fix.

John Larson wrote:

 

You may not believe this, but I just got off the phone with an Apple engineer who called me based on this thread! Asked a bunch of questions, ran some reports, and said they are on this. So, despair not, they may fix it yet.

Well, this could be the first sign that someone from Apple wants to ask Mr Elephant to leave the room!

"Houston, we've had a problem"

On behalf of all of us on this forum (minus MacDave and William Kucharski) I'd like to welcome our friends from Cupertino.

PS For all new visitors reminder to visit Facebook page which covers this topic!

A few forum members claimed that a few Apple engineers had contacted them re: the battery snafu. That's a good sign; I just wonder if the forum members have any stories or feedback from Apple folk.

Anybody?

Confirmed, Couple Of Calls With A Very Qualified Tech, Rans Some Tests And Emailed Them, Also Wrote Down All I Had Regarding Extreme Heat, Etc.

It's Being Addressed! Hang In There!

I've also had some issues with battery life since upgrading to Lion on my 2008 first generation aluminum unibody MacBook. But seeing that Apple appears to be planning on resolving the issue, I will wait patiently. I just hope it's soon!

Did you talk to Rick? I have NO idea why I am so surprised that they called, but I am. I told him that I didn't think they really read these posts and he said, "No! When a hundred people are all complaining about the same thing, the engineers notice that." Hmm.

Not that this is a game of Clue that we're playing with ourselves, but he said that it's been reported across a number of different machines.

I have a lowly macbook (not pro) mid 2010.  I reverted back to 10.6.6 and am experiencing the 7-9hrs of battery life I was used to since lion caused dropped use to around 3hrs.  Hoping the fix you guys are talking about is not just limited to the shinier macbook pros since I don't have this dual graphics card. 

No, George

I also have a late 2006 MacBook, 2Ghz Core 2 Duo, Model A1181.  It's running super-hot, fan is on all the time.