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Laptop batteries degrade over time – there’s no way around it. Before you decide to have your battery replaced by Apple, it’s a good idea to perform a MacBook battery check.

This is a quick and easy process, and we’ll walk you through it below. Let’s get started.

Check the battery cycle count

The main step in performing a MacBook battery check is determining your battery cycle count. A ‘cycle’ refers to a full charge and discharge of the battery. Pretty much every current model of MacBook is rated for 1,000 cycles. Older models – those released before 2010 – are typically rated for either 300 or 500 cycles.

When your Mac reaches its limit, the battery won’t stop holding charge completely. But, with continued use, you will have to keep it plugged in.

How to check the battery cycle count on a Mac

Here’s how to check how many cycles your Mac’s battery has already been through:

  1. Hold down the ‘Option’ key. Click the Apple icon at the top left-hand corner.
  2. Select ‘System Information.’ (Note: If you don’t hold down the ‘Option’ key, you will see ‘About this Mac’ instead of ‘System Information.’)
  3. In the ‘System Information’ popup window, open the ‘Hardware’ category from the menu on the left-hand side. Then, select ‘Power.’

mac system information

 

  1. You’ll see the ‘Cycle Count’ entry under the ‘Health Information’ heading.
  2. It’s also worth taking note of your battery’s ‘Condition,’ which will either be ‘Normal’ or something along the lines of ‘Service Battery.’

 

If you haven’t reached 1,000 battery cycles and your battery condition is normal, there’s no need to invest in a new battery.

 

My battery is ‘normal,’ but it always runs out

Maybe you’ve just performed the MacBook battery check as outlined above. Your battery cycle count is below 1,000, and your battery condition is ‘normal.’ But it still doesn’t hold its charge.

There could be something else at play.

First, it’s important to recognise that some tasks will drain your battery faster than others. For example, if you’re undertaking some heavy-duty video editing, you may experience below-average battery performance. Perhaps your battery’s poor performance is down to something as simple as having your brightness settings maxed-out.

There’s a quick and easy way to check which apps and settings are using a significant amount of energy. Click the battery icon on the top right-hand corner of your screen. Under the heading, ‘Using Significant Energy’ you’ll see a list of apps and settings. If you’re not using one of the apps listed, quit it, and preserve your battery life for more important tasks.

mac battery

Alternatively, if you are having serious issues with your battery, your Mac could be infected with malware. Malware can overload your processor, draining the battery prematurely. If you suspect you have a virus, the best thing to do is turn off your computer and contact an experienced computer technician.

Need help with your MacBook?

Our team of Mac experts can check the health of your Macbook and perform essential repairs and maintenance. Get in touch today on 1300 553 166 or fill out the form on this page, and we’ll be in touch soon. Click here to read more about our Macbook Repair Melbourne Services.

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