By Erik Tollefsrud | erik@fndtn.com
Everyone with a portable device, such as a notebook computer, iPod or iPhone, eventually has to deal with a battery that no longer lasts as long as it once did. My personal experience has been that when the battery finally begins to die, our clients are surprised and wonder if their battery’s behavior is normal. It usually is.
Modern Apple devices use lithium-ion polymer batteries. The advantage of these type of batteries is quick recharge times and long depletion rates (aka battery life). The disadvantage is that over time, the battery looses its ability to hold a charge, known as the battery lifespan. One complete depletion and charge is called a charge cycle.
Apple says that their notebook computers are good for about 300 charge cycles, except for the new 17” MacBook Pro which is good for about 1000 charge cycle. It’s important to remember that one charge cycle does not necessarily mean every time you disconnect and reconnect your power cord. Instead, a charge cycle is every time you use all of the battery’s power.
So, one day, you use 50% of your battery, then the next day (after recharging your battery) you use 40% in the morning, and 10% in the afternoon, that would complete one cycle. On average, people start to reach the 300 charge cycle mark after about 18 months.
Operating your computer in cold temperatures makes your battery drain faster, but operating your computer in hot temperatures will permanently damage your battery, so it’s a good idea not to leave your computer in your car during the cold days of winter, and especially not the hot days of summer.
To learn more information and tips about basic battery maintenance, visit Apple’s own website dedicated to information about the batteries they use at:
