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7 Replies Last post: Jun 30, 2008 11:49 PM by ReneVillela

cal_gecko

139 posts since
Jul 8, 2006

Jun 21, 2008 11:04 PM

macbook turning off with 75% battery left.. ?

Lately, I've been noticing my Macbook (2.0) shutting off when it still has 75% battery left according to the battery meter... what would cause this?

Reply Tags: macbook, battery, problem, problems

Dan Frakes

3,347 posts since
Apr 14, 2003

1. Jun 22, 2008 12:38 AM

in response to: cal_gecko

Re: macbook turning off with 75% battery left.. ?

Have you calibrated your battery, as per Apple's recommendation? (Apple recommends you do this once per month. More info in our article on routine maintenance.)

Dan Frakes | Senior Editor, Macworld

ReneVillela

23 posts since
Apr 27, 2007

2. Jun 23, 2008 1:49 AM

in response to: cal_gecko

Re: macbook turning off with 75% battery left.. ?

The exact same thing happened to me but around 90%. Then I would connect it to the adapter and the battery still read 90% all the time. I took my MacBook Pro to the closest Apple store (about 4 hrs away) but they couldn't check it coz I didn't have an appointment. A month later a made the appointment and they look at it. They said that the chip inside the battery must had gone bad, also the warranty on my Mac had expire the week before so I had to buy a new one even though the first time I went the laptop was still covered by the warranty. Ah well. Rene'

ShermanHoman

202 posts since
Oct 27, 2006

3. Jun 23, 2008 4:36 AM

in response to: cal_gecko

Re: macbook turning off with 75% battery left.. ?

Definitely do Dan Frakes suggestion, this is typical behavior of a worn out battery. I had one that would work perfectly for about 15 minutes at ~95% then instantly drop to ~3% then shut down!

Sherman Homan http://macintoshsolutions.com http://grumblefix.com http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/MacIntosh.Solutions.781-749-9162 http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Grumble.Fix.781-424-5722 http://local.yahoo.com/info-10140203-macintosh-solutions-norwell

cal_gecko

139 posts since
Jul 8, 2006

4. Jun 26, 2008 5:53 PM

in response to: ShermanHoman

Re: macbook turning off with 75% battery left.. ?

I've tried that a few times now (leaving it on, without the power connected until it goes into sleep mode.. then I leave it overnight to drain the battery all the way.. and in the morning, plug it back in to allow it to charge completely).. I downloaded that coconut battery application, and it shows that my battery capacity is about 47% of original, 216 cycles on the battery... it still shuts off when it gets to about 70% on the battery meter...

Since this is a known issue with the Macbook, any chance Apple might replace the battery for me?

ShermanHoman

202 posts since
Oct 27, 2006

5. Jun 26, 2008 6:53 PM

in response to: cal_gecko

Re: macbook turning off with 75% battery left.. ?

You have done the best you can, take it up with Apple, 216 cycles is on the short side. As far as I know, it is not a problem with any particular MacBook, it might just be a bum battery. But don't get your hopes up, by 300 cycles a battery is done. Of course there are ones that chime in with 500 cycles, bit of a mystery!

cal_gecko

139 posts since
Jul 8, 2006

6. Jun 30, 2008 10:40 PM

in response to: cal_gecko

Re: macbook turning off with 75% battery left.. ?

Just to update this thread... I made an appointment at the local Apple store to meet with one of their tech guys (I hate the term "genius bar.. come on,.. .they're not 'geniuses').... anyways... I told him what I was experiencing, what I had done, and how old my Macbook was (2 years) ... he checked it out, typed some stuff into his computer, and within 15 minutes, I had a replacement battery - free.

I'm a classic "PC convert" ... I was a loyal PC guy for the last 10+ years.. built all my own machines, etc... finally after having an iPod video for a little while and seeing how great it was, I made the jump on this Macbook when it was introduced a couple years ago... this is the second time Apple has taken care of a problem with it outside of the warranty timeframe (the first issue was with the palmrest area cracking) because it was a problem they realized and took responsibility for. For this - I am very thankful and have very high regard for Apple. I can see why so many people are so enthusiastic about their love and devotion to Apple. They really do seem to stand behind thier products.

Thank you, Apple!!!

Mark

ReneVillela

23 posts since
Apr 27, 2007

7. Jun 30, 2008 11:49 PM

in response to: cal_gecko

Re: macbook turning off with 75% battery left.. ?

Cal... you are lucky! i live in japan and even though I like Japanese people and my wife and kids are Japanese one thing I can tell you is that japanese people's heart is made of money! no body will give you anything free, not even Apple japan. as I said, the first time i went to the store they didn't see me and i was still covered by the warranty, when I went back it was a week expired. I checked, it has 26 cycles. it is ok! My comp is working great! I'll get even with their software!

Rene'

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This Question is Answered

Jun 21, 2008 11:04 PM

macbook turning off with 75% battery left.. ?

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