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June 6, 2006

My New MacBook Pro Battery

macbook-pro-battery-250.jpgI reported last week that my MacBook Pro battery was suffering from the 33 percent battery bug. That's where the MacBook Pro completely shuts down (without warning) when the battery gets down to less than 33 percent capacity.

I received my replacement battery from Apple last night and it's from a completely new serial number range.

My bad battery SN began with: 6N606
My replacement SN begins with: KF619

I'm curious to hear what other people's battery serial numbers are (post them in the comments) and if newly shipping MBP batteries are also from the "KF" serial number range.

If you're a new MacBook or MBP owner (or if you've received a new battery) keep in mind that there's a special procedure to calibrate new notebook batteries.

1. Fully charge the new battery until the LED on the power adapter plug changes to green and the battery meter in the menu bar reads 100 percent.

2. Allow the battery to "rest" in the fully charged state for at least two hours. You can use computer during this period as long as the adapter is plugged in.

3. Disconnect the power adapter and run the battery all the way down (while using it.) Save and close everything before the final warning.

4. Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or more.

5. Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.

If you're looking for a good way to monitor your MacBook or MBP battery, check out coconutBattery v2.2 a freeware utility that displays the current and maximum charge of your battery, current and original battery capacity and the number of battery loadcycles (how often you charged the battery).

Posted by jasonogrady at June 6, 2006 8:51 AM
Category: MacBook Pro

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Comments

6N61 here.

Posted by: Bob Fish [TypeKey Profile Page] at June 6, 2006 9:22 AM

Mine shuts down at about 40%, sn 6N607

Posted by: Henri Smeets at June 6, 2006 5:57 PM

My MPB17 came with battery serial number 6N617...
It's been working fine. I've got another battery on-order (I find it's easier to carry an extra battery than AC adapter), and the lead time is 2-3 weeks.

Posted by: morcheeba at June 6, 2006 6:32 PM

I have had my MBP for almost 3 months; my battery # is 6n611... Two days ago I noticed that it would not charge beyond the 97% mark. So I followed your timely advice and did the calibration thing and we are back to normal.
In my normal use I tend to deep-cycle the battery. I work in my office with the power adapter attatched and when I am finished working I unplug it and curl up on the couch or go to bed and read stuff or go to google world which after about 3hrs will eat up the battery. At which time I plug it in and knock-off for the day.
Cheers: WCBob

Posted by: WetcoastBob at June 10, 2006 2:40 AM

My original battery went bad after a month (only got about a minute out of a full charge). I received a replacement battery from Apple after about 3.5 weeks. I went throught the calibration instructions (just like above) when I received the new battery. I only got 90 minutes with nothing running or attached and the screen at the iddle setting. SN KF6191L4ty4b

I left the info on a message with the Apple support rep a couple days ago but haven't heard from her.

Greg Zwick

Posted by: Greg Zwick at June 13, 2006 7:52 AM

I am having the same problem with my MBP...BAM, shutting off, but 90% of the time it's been in photoshop. My battery level is at 100%, I'm plugged in all of the time. However, my battery serial starts off with 6N6, so it may be the same MO. Another curious thing is that when I get shut down, it's not completely off. If I close the lid, the sleep indicator light remains on, but I can't wake it. I have to hold down the power key until it shuts down completely, then I can power up. Last thing. This happened less frequently before I upgraded to Acrobat 7.0.8.

Posted by: deutschzilla at June 14, 2006 5:31 PM

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