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Apple changes default MacBook charging behavior to improve battery health

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Re: Apple changes default MacBook charging behavior to improve battery health

#51

Post by Someone1234 »

adav wrote: post #43
aaomidi wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a terrible idea. Even if you're going to do this it's far better to be a toggle on software rather than tying it to the port you're using.

But you can see what state the laptop’s in from across the room.

I cannot say I've ever needed to know the charge-rate mode from across the room.

I can say though that I've wanted to be able to plug a device in on both the left and right depending on location and usage. I really wouldn't want to lose that functionality for this, particularly when a simple software toggle is more flexible long term anyway.

9 times out of 10 I am going to use the same charge mode at the same physical location (e.g. at home, slow, at work fast). That would be the real killer feature, geo-fenced software toggle that knows where I am and what mode I previously used here.

Re: Apple changes default MacBook charging behavior to improve battery health

#53

Post by rubber_duck »

I got a top spec 15 MBP a year ago and I have to say the experience is appalling - 4000$ device that goes full airplane takeoff levels of noise at any serious workload, no ability to control performance (I would gladly throttle the CPU sooner to avoid everyone in the office turning my way when I start an emulator or keep the fans at lower RPM but constantly instead of letting the CPU idle at 60-70 degrees with no fans).

All of this could be fixed if the device gave me power settings but even third party paid tools that require custom kernel extensions (Volta) still don't work reliably.

My next computer is not going to be from Apple for sure.

Re: Apple changes default MacBook charging behavior to improve battery health

#54

Post by lilyball »

adav wrote: post #39

Hey Apple, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the clean USB-C ports arrangement on new MacBooks! Charging Mode 1) By plugging the charger into the rearmost port, full 100% fast charge please. Charging Mode 2) By plugging the charger into the other, nearer port, I’m indicating that we’ll be here for a while... please trickle my battery up to 50-75% to prolong the battery’s lifespan. Indicate which mo…

This is a great way to confuse 99% of customers. It also violates the idea that all 4 ports are identical, and also poses a problem if the user has stuff in the other ports because now they need to swap multiple cables every time they want to change charge behavior.

Re: Apple changes default MacBook charging behavior to improve battery health

#55

Post by NullPrefix »

idoby wrote: post #25

They should just make 50% the new 100% and then let you "supercharge" to 150% when you need to. I'm kind of surprised Apple hasn't done this already.

This could actually work for Apple devices, because no one compares them against other laptops by specs.

Although they would be compared against last gen macs. Saying "Battery is half the size" would need some marketing polish, implying that it's lighter or something.

Re: Apple changes default MacBook charging behavior to improve battery health

#56

Post by ratww »

wrs wrote: post #42

I've noticed that on newer (past few years) MacBook Pros, if their battery runs down too far they refuse to start up, even when plugged into the charger. The battery has to charge for 10-15 minutes with the "dead battery" icon on the screen. It's exactly the same behavior as iPhone/iPad. In past MacBook models, the battery could be dead--or even completely removed--and the charger would power the laptop fine. Anyone…

I've been explained that this is because those computers might need more power than the AC Charger is able to provide, so the battery is also used as a "backup" for burst loads. This [1] seems to confirm it.

[1] https://web.archive.org/web/20081225111200/http://support.ap...

Re: Apple changes default MacBook charging behavior to improve battery health

#57

Post by NullPrefix »

rusty__ wrote: post #36

I wish people would stop using the generic 'MacBook' when talking about 'MacBook Pro' and 'MacBook Air' - makes it very diffcult as a 'MacBook' owner to find support articles.

Don't they have specific code names? A9999X?

Re: Apple changes default MacBook charging behavior to improve battery health

#58

Post by lilyball »

jb775 wrote: post #44

Why not just get rid of built-in batteries entirely? Not only does it lead to unethical business practices (linking battery life to hardware performance), but it facilitates a privacy nightmare.

> Why not just get rid of built-in batteries entirely

Built-in batteries allow for custom battery shapes that increase battery life or allow for thinner computers at the same battery life. They increase laptop durability by not requiring a removable battery cover. They allow for putting other components on top of the battery as well to better take advantage of the space inside the enclosure.

> it facilitates a privacy nightmare

How does it do that?

Re: Apple changes default MacBook charging behavior to improve battery health

#60

Post by kube-system »

adav wrote: post #43
aaomidi wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a terrible idea. Even if you're going to do this it's far better to be a toggle on software rather than tying it to the port you're using.

But you can see what state the laptop’s in from across the room.

I don't think the ability to signal users from across the room is a use-case that Apple is designing for, or one they would ever consider. And even if it was, this metric is likely not high priority.

Design continuity is often more important for usability than the number of features, and Apple especially priorities this.

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