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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

#71

Post by kube-system »

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.

Built-in batteries can be replaceable.

Modular batteries can have firmware, and can still be attached to systems that reduce current draw when the battery health diminishes... these are not exclusive or required features of internal batteries.

And reducing current draw to prevent voltage sags is an engineering feature to compensate for the limits of physical science, not an arbitrary business decision. There are alternative solutions, like not booting at all, or letting the system crash. Those are not necessarily good solutions.

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

#72

Post by zeusk »

konschubert wrote: post #67
ratww wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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...

That would mean that it would not charge while being used. That’s not the case I assume.

No, that only means it can't be charged will on burst load (turbo boost). Intel's chips can consume > 200% of their TDP during all-core turbo.

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

#73

Post by knodi123 »

ratww wrote: post #56
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...

ha, well I've noticed my battery discharges if I play Civ 6, even when plugged in. so that confirms it too.

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

#74

Post by leetcrew »

konschubert wrote: post #67
ratww wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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...

That would mean that it would not charge while being used. That’s not the case I assume.

the case where the laptop draws more power than the AC adapter can provide is probably some sort of brief turbo state for the cpu and/or gpu. it can't maintain this for long without overheating.

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

#75

Post by seanmcdirmid »

ratww wrote: post #56
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...

That reminds me of the original PowerBook Duo, which couldn’t run plugged in if the battery was missing.

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

#77

Post by killion »

rootusrootus wrote: post #3

I wish they'd give us the option (on the iPhone and iPad as well) to arbitrarily set the maximum charge level. Just like on my Tesla, I'd like to be able to tell my phone not to charge above 80%.

This is exactly what I was thinking. The article doesn't mention if there is a setting to temporarily allow the battery to charge to a higher percentage.

I assume checking the box to not use this setting will work the same way but I want to make sure I switch it back. Just like how Tesla prompts you intermittently.

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

#78

Post by falcolas »

ratww wrote: post #56
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...

If you look at how the charging amperage is in current chargers, as compared to those of a few years ago, it's pretty easy to tell that this is the case.

Sure, some of it is due to improved efficiency of the components, but when combined with power drain while on a charger under high loads, it's fairly obvious.

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

#79

Post by eecc »

rubber_duck wrote: post #53

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 fan…

Just search for it https://www.eidac.de/

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

#80

Post by cmckn »

Why doesn't the UI report 80% as 100%? It seems like exposing this to the user is more confusing than anything, when the cells could be over provisioned and treated politely by a system controller, without the user being part of the decision.

Aren't SSD's over provisioned in this manner? You sell a drive with a terabyte of storage, but actually ship more than a terabyte of chips in the case to accommodate degradation over the life of the device.

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