Apple discovers issue with MacBook batteries, offers solutions
Apple said Friday it has discovered that some batteries used in its MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks may have performance issues and is offering a software update that is designed to improve performance.
The 244KB Battery Updater will check to see if a battery needs to be updated on startup, wake from sleep, and when a battery is inserted.
"If in these cases there is no AC power supplied, it will then wait until AC power is present and then check to see if the battery needs to be updated," Apple said. "If the battery needs to be updated it will update it automatically. Wait 30 seconds before you validate the installation."
The update supports essentially every MacBook system produced by the company thus far, including: MacBook, MacBook (Late 2006), MacBook Pro (15-inch), MacBook Pro (15-inch Glossy), MacBook Pro (15-inch Core 2 Duo), MacBook Pro (17-inch) and MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo).
Apple notes that after Battery Update has been installed, each battery inserted into the MacBook or MacBook Pro will be updated automatically.
If, after installing the battery update, the battery has any of the symptoms listed here, Apple urges MacBook owners to make a reservation to bring their computer with its battery to a local Apple Retail Store, or contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), or call a local Apple Support Contact Center.
If Apple or an AASP determines that a battery is eligible for replacement, MacBook owners will receive a new battery, free of charge, even if their MacBook or MacBook Pro is out of warranty.
The repair program extends repair coverage on the battery for up to two years from the date of purchase of the computer for Intel Core Duo-based MacBook and MacBook Pro computers.
Apple said it will continue to evaluate the battery update program and will provide further extensions as needed.
The 244KB Battery Updater will check to see if a battery needs to be updated on startup, wake from sleep, and when a battery is inserted.
"If in these cases there is no AC power supplied, it will then wait until AC power is present and then check to see if the battery needs to be updated," Apple said. "If the battery needs to be updated it will update it automatically. Wait 30 seconds before you validate the installation."
The update supports essentially every MacBook system produced by the company thus far, including: MacBook, MacBook (Late 2006), MacBook Pro (15-inch), MacBook Pro (15-inch Glossy), MacBook Pro (15-inch Core 2 Duo), MacBook Pro (17-inch) and MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo).
Apple notes that after Battery Update has been installed, each battery inserted into the MacBook or MacBook Pro will be updated automatically.
If, after installing the battery update, the battery has any of the symptoms listed here, Apple urges MacBook owners to make a reservation to bring their computer with its battery to a local Apple Retail Store, or contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), or call a local Apple Support Contact Center.
If Apple or an AASP determines that a battery is eligible for replacement, MacBook owners will receive a new battery, free of charge, even if their MacBook or MacBook Pro is out of warranty.
The repair program extends repair coverage on the battery for up to two years from the date of purchase of the computer for Intel Core Duo-based MacBook and MacBook Pro computers.
Apple said it will continue to evaluate the battery update program and will provide further extensions as needed.
Comments
No battery issues so far though. 99 cycles after almost 1 year, iStatPro and Coconut Battery is showing 100% health. In fact, as probably some of you have, Coconut Battery shows 5248 current capacity over the original 5200 mAh.
Now. When shall I get my Matshita DVD-burner fixed?
*I'm starting to get more ambivalent about Sony. I love my SonyEricsson phones (T630 previously, now v600i) -- they've survived numerous drops and the T630 took a dip in the laundry for several minutes... But I *hate* the new 1080p video cameras and Bravia HDTVs. Now there are reports of the Sony 16x DVD+R media not working in older burners, though it is supposed to be all the way to 1x backward-compatible. That it screwed up *all* DVD-burning (on media I could previously burn easily like 4x Apple DVD-R, 4x TDK DVD-R, "MTV" branded 8x DVD+R, is weird. My TDK "pseudo-DJ-esque" headphones seem to have lasted a lot longer than my brother's Sony's, which has that flaking issue with the fabric of curved part of the DJ-style headphones that go around the top of your head.
First post! w00000t!
So far I've had no problem with my C2D BlackBook. Considering how abusive I am toward my CEs I have to say that is a good sign.
....So far I've had no problem with my C2D BlackBook. Considering how abusive I am toward my CEs I have to say that is a good sign.
Yeah the rev B (core2duos) MacBook black/white seem to be much better. It's cool, I bought the MacBook Core[1]Duo off eBay knowing full well of its at-that-time and potential rev A issues. The eBay one I bought, to quote the ol' Jerry McGuire movie,.... it had me at 2GB of RAM. Heh.
This is one thing I just low about being a Mac owner. With every other OE you have to rely on a really crappy Windows program--which you probably deleted anyway because it was a resource hog--to check for firmware updates or occasionally go to the OEM's website and do a search for your system to find firmware updates...
Yes, this is generally a good thing with Macs. Though I suspect if I actually could find the original firmware for my internal DVD-burner I could flash it back to factory firmware and it might reset the firmware that could have been corrupted by trying to burn 16x media... Though this is a total pull-out-of-my-arse idea on how to fix my DVD-burner. AppleCare would probably just replace the whole SuperDrive anyway.
....Yeah resource hogs is the main issue still with Windows nowadays. Not *so* much the crashing, but the general "glugginess" of everything that sets in after a few weeks/ months. Or even at the start .... http://corybohon.wordpress.com/2007/...a-mac-stuffed/ ...
....Yeah resource hogs is the main issue still with Windows nowadays. Not *so* much the crashing, but the general "glugginess" of everything that sets in after a few weeks/ months. Or even at the start .... http://corybohon.wordpress.com/2007/...a-mac-stuffed/ ...
That commercial was posted on Digg. It was fun to read the replies about how OS X comes with just as much bloatware as a OEM version of Windows.
to quote the ol' Jerry McGuire movie,.... it had me at 2GB of RAM. Heh.
I like that
Off topic, but I would strongly suggest everyone here NOT use any 16x media. Stick to 8x for all your 8x or lower rated DVD-burners.
I'm lost on that one. I've used 16x media in my 4x drive with no troubles whatsoever, I think I've burned about 75 DVDs in it. It's not going to make the drive try to spin any faster. I think there was something messed up with your particular drive, I doubt it's an epidemic problem.
I'm lost on that one. I've used 16x media in my 4x drive with no troubles whatsoever, I think I've burned about 75 DVDs in it. It's not going to make the drive try to spin any faster. I think there was something messed up with your particular drive, I doubt it's an epidemic problem.
Hmm... Yeah, I don't think it's "epidemic" as such. There is a vocal movement which I am thrust into by the decreptitude of my SuperDrive. Nothing personal, but just the nature of my drive which died. Perhaps my call for NOT to use 16x was premature.
But anyway here be links:
http://superdrive.crc.id.au/
http://www.crc.id.au/2005/08/07/faul...e-superdrives/
I can't find the complain website ones at the moment which are specific for the UJ-857 currently in MacBooks and MacBookPros.
This thread is about the battery firmware update, not optical drive speeds, included bloatware, or flashing firmware on DVD drives. Sheesh.
Heh. Okay I quiet now.
I like that
Sometimes when I close the lid on my MacBook it'll reboot for no good reason. Anyone heard else having this problem?
Reset NVRAM, PRAM? Wipe hard disk and reinstall? After that, it be dodgy logic board that needs replacement if it keeps happening. AFAIK.
Apple said Friday it has discovered that some batteries used in its MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks may have performance issues and is offering a software update that is designed to improve performance.
The 244KB Battery Updater will check to see if a battery needs to be updated on startup, wake from sleep, and when a battery is inserted.
"If in these cases there is no AC power supplied, it will then wait until AC power is present and then check to see if the battery needs to be updated," Apple said. "If the battery needs to be updated it will update it automatically. Wait 30 seconds before you validate the installation."
The update supports essentially every MacBook system produced by the company thus far, including: MacBook, MacBook (Late 2006), MacBook Pro (15-inch), MacBook Pro (15-inch Glossy), MacBook Pro (15-inch Core 2 Duo), MacBook Pro (17-inch) and MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo).
Apple notes that after Battery Update has been installed, each battery inserted into the MacBook or MacBook Pro will be updated automatically.
If, after installing the battery update, the battery has any of the symptoms listed here, Apple urges MacBook owners to make a reservation to bring their computer with its battery to a local Apple Retail Store, or contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), or call a local Apple Support Contact Center.
If Apple or an AASP determines that a battery is eligible for replacement, MacBook owners will receive a new battery, free of charge, even if their MacBook or MacBook Pro is out of warranty.
The repair program extends repair coverage on the battery for up to two years from the date of purchase of the computer for Intel Core Duo-based MacBook and MacBook Pro computers.
Apple said it will continue to evaluate the battery update program and will provide further extensions as needed.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Well i installed the update, and my batter circle count is 86 .. i bought my MBP C2D in november. is everything ok?
Well i installed the update, and my batter circle count is 86 .. i bought my MBP C2D in november. is everything ok?
Download and run http://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutbattery/ and let us know what it says...
Where do you use your MBP? Can you have it connected to the power outlet at most times? That saves using battery cycles.
MacBook 13", Core Duo.
System Profiler gives me these values:
Full Charge Capacity (mAh)
Cycle Count
I think this warrants a call to Apple...
After-Update-Report:
MacBook 13", Core Duo.
System Profiler gives me these values:
Full Charge Capacity (mAh)
Cycle Count
I think this warrants a call to Apple...
Hmm... Yeah that's a 15% drop in battery capacity.
This thread is about the battery firmware update, not optical drive speeds, included bloatware, or flashing firmware on DVD drives. Sheesh.
I was beginning to think that myself.
At work a couple of people have bought Macbooks and both their batteries have failed. the first within two weeks of buying, the second within a month. Could it be that this is the new logic board problem?
At least it's nowhere near as serious and people just have to request a new battery and send the bad one back but why is it so hard to get batteries right? Is this Sony's problem again?
It's definitely time for some battery technology improvements. Smaller, lighter, longer lasting.
Hmm... Yeah that's a 15% drop in battery capacity.
how would i know if in my case, i should have a battery recall?
MBP C2D
Battery Information:
Battery Installed
First low level warning
Full Charge Capacity (mAh)
Remaining Capacity (mAh)
Amperage (mA)
Voltage (mV)
Cycle Count
how would i know if in my case, i should have a battery recall?
MBP C2D
Battery Information:
Battery Installed
First low level warning
Full Charge Capacity (mAh)
Remaining Capacity (mAh)
Amperage (mA)
Voltage (mV)
Cycle Count
I would say your battery is doing fine, at 5348mAh, after 87 cycles, that's about fine.
Don't worry about it
One thing though, if you are actually in one spot near a power outlet, keep your laptop plugged into the electric outlet.
Also remember, if you use your battery, use it fully (full discharge cycle) before then charging it all the way up to 100%.