Firstly, I know almost nothing about computers, so bare that in mind. Sorry if I sound completely stupid when asking about things.
Anyway, I have a 2009 Macbook Pro 2.4 Ghz Core Duo that has been good to me so far, but I'm a little bit distraught at the battery of the thing. It almost seems like it is programmed to die at a certain rate.
Every day when I unplug it I leave it (no internet, no devices, nothing attached) for a few minutes to let the battery meter get an "accurate" reading and almost without fail I get 9 hours and 20-45 minutes on the readout. On word processing only I've gotten that much out of it before so I know it's true. It's been this way for at least a year. Yesterday I noticed after my "routine" the readout was down to 3 hours and 30 minutes and thought I made a mistake and left something plugged in but to my surprise it said "Battery condition: replace soon". I've since gone from 9 hours of word processing on the go to running out of battery already (7-10 AM) and I've had to plug it into the wall. What's more suspect is that the battery cycle count is exactly at 1000 according to the computer.
Now I like the computer and it's all I've ever really used in my working life so that's why I've kept buying them somewhat begrudgingly (I like the look of other computers more and like the fact that they can be repaired and things like the battery don't require a complete disassembly of the frame), but it seems to me like Apples are kind of ridiculous when it comes to pricing and such and with what seems like predestined failure of components, I'm very unhappy now to say the least, considering I paid nearly $2,100 for the damn thing. I could have had a much nicer and much faster HP/Dell/Sony for half the price, so I am considering making the switch since I bought my first Apple in 2001.
So my questions:
Am I being superstitious with my musings on my battery? Should I replace it here or go home?
Is the computer destined to start flying apart left and right because it was designed to?
Should I just another Apple because that's what I am used to?
Thanks for any help on the matter
-AK
Apple gurus? Macbook Pro battery fix, or new laptop?
Well AK87 I am no Apple expert but I don't think that their products are any more prone to built in obsolescence than any other make.
The weakest point of any laptop is the battery. It is always the first thing to go. However most manufacturers accept this & makes them a very easily replaced item. Apple have always been more about look & style than practicalities.
If you were a bit of an electronic geek (like me ) then you would probably take this opportunity to upgrade to the latest as 5 year old technology is 'old hat'. However if you are a person that just want it to do A & you are happy with the performance that you are getting then, realistically, replacement now is probably an unnecessary expense.
I have no idea what a replacement battery will cost in Cambodia but online they go for under $100. Even if the machine then only lasts you another year that seems like good value for money to me, I would expect it to be still functioning long after that.
As you are not an electronics fan, put it in motor terms....
The battery is a bit like the clutch & needing a replacement shows that you have done a few miles. It does not mean that the engine is shot though & that a new bike is the best & only option.. But it is probably that it is getting towards needing other things in the nearer future.
The weakest point of any laptop is the battery. It is always the first thing to go. However most manufacturers accept this & makes them a very easily replaced item. Apple have always been more about look & style than practicalities.
If you were a bit of an electronic geek (like me ) then you would probably take this opportunity to upgrade to the latest as 5 year old technology is 'old hat'. However if you are a person that just want it to do A & you are happy with the performance that you are getting then, realistically, replacement now is probably an unnecessary expense.
I have no idea what a replacement battery will cost in Cambodia but online they go for under $100. Even if the machine then only lasts you another year that seems like good value for money to me, I would expect it to be still functioning long after that.
As you are not an electronics fan, put it in motor terms....
The battery is a bit like the clutch & needing a replacement shows that you have done a few miles. It does not mean that the engine is shot though & that a new bike is the best & only option.. But it is probably that it is getting towards needing other things in the nearer future.
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- MerkinMaker
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Thanks both,
I was a skeptical because at precisely 1000 cycles I lost 2/3 of my previous battery capacity overnight, but now reading up on it, I guess I should be happy about it.
Just a quick add in in case the original post didn't make sense.
I was a skeptical because at precisely 1000 cycles I lost 2/3 of my previous battery capacity overnight, but now reading up on it, I guess I should be happy about it.
Just a quick add in in case the original post didn't make sense.
Consider a portable USB Battery for extended time away from a plug. Dealextreme has them for $20.
The Earth is degenerating these days. Bribery and corruption abound.
Children no longer mind their parents, every man wants to write a book,
and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching.
--Assyrian Stone Tablet, c.2800 BCE
Children no longer mind their parents, every man wants to write a book,
and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching.
--Assyrian Stone Tablet, c.2800 BCE
It's from 2009, the battery's done well to last this long. I'm not a fan of Apple, their stuff is hugely overpriced and lost any tangible benefit when they made the switch from PowerPC to Intel processors, but they do deserve credit for only using high quality components. And their cases - I love Apple cases.
Not used them myself, but iOne have an authorised (supposedly) service centre on the BKK1 stretch of Monivong. They may be able to get you another battery, cost at a service centre back in the Real World is around $130 so maybe expect it to be a bit more out here. Bear in mind your model's fairly old though, so they almost certainly won't have a replacement in stock and there's a chance your particular battery model's been discontinued; if that's the case you'll probably need to resort to buying one from Amazon or eBay.
Final option is to have someone open the battery up and replace the cells, but I don't recommend it - if it isn't done properly your laptop might spontaneously combust.
Not used them myself, but iOne have an authorised (supposedly) service centre on the BKK1 stretch of Monivong. They may be able to get you another battery, cost at a service centre back in the Real World is around $130 so maybe expect it to be a bit more out here. Bear in mind your model's fairly old though, so they almost certainly won't have a replacement in stock and there's a chance your particular battery model's been discontinued; if that's the case you'll probably need to resort to buying one from Amazon or eBay.
Final option is to have someone open the battery up and replace the cells, but I don't recommend it - if it isn't done properly your laptop might spontaneously combust.
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If you are feeling a little brave, you could upgrade to MacOS 10.9 Mavericks. One of its major improvements is power management and consumption. You might get a little extra time out of that old battery. 10.9 is a free (large) download from the Mac App Store.
I do stuff with computers: www.xlconsulting-asia.com
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