Does This Sound Like a Dying Battery?

[Amie]

I think my battery is getting ready to go. When exactly, I'm not sure of. All I know is that usually when on a full charge, my battery life is at least five hours (give or take, depending on apps running, screen brightness, etc.). And lately, on a full charge my battery life is approximately only three hours. Sound like my battery is about to "byte" the big one? (Sorry, couldn't resist that pun.)

 

[ElDiabloConCaca]

All batteries degrade over time, depending on how frequently they're used. Battery life also depends on what exactly you're doing as well -- if you're using the optical drive heavily, or are writing and reding to the hard drive a lot, or have screen brightness turned up high, or some similar use that uses more power, then the battery won't last as long on a single charge as Apple claims.

One thing you may want to try is a battery calibration:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86284

If you find your battery life unacceptable after a calibration, it may be time to invest in a new battery.

 

[Lt Major Burns]

it's probably losing it's charge, yes. but batteries don't really die. my ibook battery is 4 years old, and can't hold a charge, but it still works for about 20-30 minutes. if you really can't afford to work on 3 hours, then look on ebay for batteries, but be aware that people are trying to sell their ibook old faulty batteries as a result of apple giving them free recal batteries (as i have found - my replacement battery, which gives me 4-5 hours, is one of those that apple was recalling. i asked apple about this, and they told me that my battery has already been replaced. it's faulty, but works fine). if it's legit, you look to save lots from apples £80 asking price for a new'n

 

[Amie]

All batteries degrade over time, depending on how frequently they're used. Battery life also depends on what exactly you're doing as well -- if you're using the optical drive heavily, or are writing and reding to the hard drive a lot, or have screen brightness turned up high, or some similar use that uses more power, then the battery won't last as long on a single charge as Apple claims.

One thing you may want to try is a battery calibration:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86284

If you find your battery life unacceptable after a calibration, it may be time to invest in a new battery.

To answer your questions (well, comments really)... I don't use the optical drive much at all. During the daytime, I do frequently turn my screen brightness to the max. And, yes, I do use my laptop. A lot. Like, hours every day.

I know all about calibration and do it frequently.

I figure it like this: Even though my laptop is only about 10 months old, I've probably used it more in that timeframe than the average person uses theirs in three years. And I ain't exaggerating.

 

[Amie]

it's probably losing it's charge, yes. but batteries don't really die. my ibook battery is 4 years old, and can't hold a charge, but it still works for about 20-30 minutes. if you really can't afford to work on 3 hours, then look on ebay for batteries, but be aware that people are trying to sell their ibook old faulty batteries as a result of apple giving them free recal batteries (as i have found - my replacement battery, which gives me 4-5 hours, is one of those that apple was recalling. i asked apple about this, and they told me that my battery has already been replaced. it's faulty, but works fine). if it's legit, you look to save lots from apples £80 asking price for a new'n

"Faulty but works fine"? Lt., are you talking about those Apple batteries that were recalled because they were catching on fire?!?! Dear God, I hope you're not using one of those. If you are, you better be careful and don't leave it unattended when plugged in. They can overheat and ... well, you know the rest.

 

[Lt Major Burns]

there was only ever a risk of some catching fire. i don't think any actually did, and it doesn't mean all of them will be susceptible. besides, this one doesn't even get hot while it charges.

 

[Amie]

there was only ever a risk of some catching fire. i don't think any actually did, and it doesn't mean all of them will be susceptible. besides, this one doesn't even get hot while it charges.

But ... it was a recall. Apple recalled ALL batteries with that model number and certain serial numbers. I just wouldn't feel safe using a recalled product like that. But that's just me. I don't attempt to force eject a DVD with a pair of pliers either ... like SOME people.