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Anemia · Oct 28, 2003, 06:09 PM

Ever since my panther install this weekend, I haven't seen 100% charge on the battery. Even when run down to the single digits and charged all the way back up, it always stops a 99%. Any ideas?

AssassyN · Oct 28, 2003, 06:36 PM

Yes. All computer batteries are designed to stop charging around 95% to maximize the life of the battery rather than topping out all the time and killing the battery's lifespan. So technically anything above 95% means full charge...your battery isn't faulty, it's doing what it's supposed to.

Anemia · Oct 28, 2003, 06:42 PM

i just found the official response from apple right before I came back here to check the thread. thanks though. I'm OCD as all hell so this is just one of those things that is going to bug me.

Naz · Oct 28, 2003, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by AssassyN:
Yes. All computer batteries are designed to stop charging around 95% to maximize the life of the battery rather than topping out all the time and killing the battery's lifespan. So technically anything above 95% means full charge...your battery isn't faulty, it's doing what it's supposed to.

I don't like this answer even if true I would like to see 100% charge like I seen before Panther even if the battery only charges at 95% just display 100% to make me happy

I hate this 99% bug

What was Apple's offical word on this again?

madmacgames · Oct 28, 2003, 08:11 PM

what bugs me is that if my battery says 100% charged and then I start to use the powerbook, but the power adapter is plugged it, it will drop to 99% if I am doing alot of tasks. It should not even be using the battery when the adapter is plugged in (in my opinion anyways) but apparently it is... I saw this behavoir in both Jaguar and Panther.

Naz · Oct 28, 2003, 08:18 PM

Yeah I finally saw it charge up to 100% then the light turned green and it dropped to 99% a few seconds later

I don't know if every battery only has a life of 500 charges then I think I'm screwed since I charge 3-4 times per day and I'm always on this computer.

waxcrash · Oct 28, 2003, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by Naz:
I don't like this answer even if true I would like to see 100% charge like I seen before Panther even if the battery only charges at 95% just display 100% to make me happy

Your doctor can prescribe some drugs so this won't be an issue for you.

Naz · Oct 28, 2003, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by waxcrash:
Your doctor can prescribe some drugs so this won't be an issue for you.

all I'm asking is Lie to me, LIE to me!

AssassyN · Oct 28, 2003, 11:26 PM

Originally posted by madmacgames:
what bugs me is that if my battery says 100% charged and then I start to use the powerbook, but the power adapter is plugged it, it will drop to 99% if I am doing alot of tasks. It should not even be using the battery when the adapter is plugged in (in my opinion anyways) but apparently it is... I saw this behavoir in both Jaguar and Panther.

It's not using the battery when it's plugged in. READ: Anything above 95% os theoretically a false impression. 95% is the max. the battery will charge, so anything above 95% = full charge.

forcelite · Oct 29, 2003, 12:49 AM

so whats classified as a discharge.

Dell says its anytime you disconnect from the wall and use battery power, no matter how long. (there has to be a thin line between a very short usage and a longer usage that counts as a discharge in my eyes)

They also go on to say that to get the most out of your battery you should not use a full battery for a little bit and charge back up (duh, thats true to an extent but the new batteries I hear are pretty good about the memory affect)

Just wanted some thoughts