MacBook Cycle count

Hi everyone,
I purchased my MacBook in the Fall of 2007, and have been using it for many purposes including online games. I recently heard about the battery cycle count, and I was told mine was ridiculously high. Here is the information regarding my MacBook's battery:
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 371
Fully charged: No
Charging: Yes
Full charge capacity (mAh): 5026
Health Information:
Cycle count: 1455
Condition: Normal
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 2869
Voltage (mV): 11556
Should I be concerned? Do I need to buy a new battery soon?
Thank you!

Welcome to the forums. The cycle count on your battery is very high for a Lithium Polymer battery. Here is some advice for you when you have to replace your battery with a new one.
You do not need to discharge your battery completely every time you use it. Li-Ion Polymer batteries like
little charges instead of big ones. It is OK to leave your battery hooked to the charger most of the time.
The only time I unhook mine from the charger is when I calibrate or use it for a short time. You should calibrate your battery every two months, if you use it unplugged regularly, to keep the battery fully functioning. If you use your MacBook infrequently it ís best to calibrate the battery at least once a month.
A cycle,Determining Battery Cycle Count, is a full discharge and a full charge of the battery.
This can happen by using the battery for 20% for 5 days and charging each time you used the battery. This
would equal a 100% cycle. Charge the battery after each use, don't let it get lower just because you didn't
use up all the power at one time. Its best in little charges. Don't worry if every once in a while you have
to discharge completely when you are not near your power adapter. It happens. A little care and the battery
can last years. Anything over 300 cycles means you should start considering replacing your battery.
The following links have good information about the MacBook and MacBook Pro and the care of it's battery.
Apple Portables: Tips for maximizing your battery charge
MacBook and MacBook Pro: Reduces processor speed when battery is removed while operating from an A/C adapter
Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters
Calibrating a MacBook or MacBook Pro battery
Apple Notebooks
Battery Replacement
Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime

Similar Messages

Macbook Pro - How to keep a low cycle count

hey everyone,
Basically I purchased a new macbook pro 11 days ago, and My current cycle count is also 11. I am eager to keep my cycle count down this time round as my last macbook's battery died at around the 700 mark (the laptop was around 15 months old at the time) which I am told was very high. The average apparently being around 300 for a computer that old.
I have also read on other forums that people have managed to keep their cycle counts much much lower than 300 even for laptops over 15 months old.
So to maintain my battery's life this time round I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to keep the cycle count down this time round?
Many thanks,
Josh

I should point out that the batteries that seem to survive the longest are those that get used--i.e. relatively high cycle counts. They are like muscles--use them or lose them. I tried keeping cycles down on my first battery and the results were that it made it only 11 months. Most of the "my battery failed..." posts we see here show a low cycle count.
Also, you've posted a question about a new MBP in the forum for older ones made in Early 2008 and before. As the battery technology in your new MBP is different (and apparently better) and you have other hardware improvement made since 2008, you should use the forum for the current-generation MBPs here:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=251
Not to worry. It's not your fault you found the wrong forum. "Original MacBook Pro" is a pretty non-intuitive label! About a dozen people a day with new MBPs end up here and sometimes get inappropriate advise if responders either don't notice of can't tell that the OP is asking about a newer Mac.

I bought a brand new MacBook Pro Mid 2014, and my battery cycle count is on 2!!

As I said on the question, a brand new MacBook Pro I bought recently which I haven't even put on charge yet already has a cycle count of 2!
I'm just curious if this is normal and I want to make sure that I received a brand "new" one not a refurbished one.
Did anyone else order a new laptop and have cycle charge of 2 or more and is this normal or not?

The factory charges the battery, one cycle, they may then test that particular MacBook Pro as part of the production testing and it ends up with another cycle. Two cycles is not something to worry about. If you bought the unit from an Apple store or directly from Apple, it will not be a refurbished MBPr unless they specifically said it was. They don't do things like that.

MacBook Pro Cycle Count

Hi
I have a mid 2010 15" MacBook Pro, which for 99% of the time, stays connected to the mains. I am just wondering if a cycle count of 93 seems a bit low for a 2 year old machine?
I ask only because it seems to stop charging and say its fully charged at 97%.
Thanks
Joe

having a cycle count of 93 is normal.........yes, it's a bit low but that just states that you have been using your macbook plugged in most of the time...
once your macbook reaches 100% it will stop charging......and once it's down to 95% - it will charge it back up to 100%...
So what you're seeing is normal....
good luck...

Average Maximum Cycle Count for Early 2008 MacBook (Black)

I have a black early 2008 MacBook that now in its fourth year, and I have noticed that battery health have started to diminish.
I am wondering what is the maximum battery cycle count for the early 2008 black MacBooks, and if its time to replace it? (I have 250 cycle count, with 78% health remaining)

You can get a new third party battery fairly cheap on eBay. Every MacBook from 2006 through Mid 2009 except the Late 2008 Aluminum Unibody and the Late 2009 and 2010 White Unibodies use the same A1185 battery.
Black Batteries http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=macbook+black+battery&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=12 &_dmpt=Laptop_Batteries&_odkw=macbook+white+battery&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0. m 270.l1313
White Batteries http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=macbook+white+battery&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=12 &_dmpt=Laptop_Batteries&_odkw=macbook+black+battery&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0. m 270.l1313
Or for $129 from The Apple Store http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA566LL/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

Black macbook batter stays at 0% and will not charge. Only 138 cycle count

I have a black macbook I am giving to my son. It will not charge, and only has 138 on the cycle count. I have read discussions and tried updates recommended. I tried updating the SMC, and it said it was successful, but the numbers did not change (not positive it's supposed to). My info is below. This laptop has not been used very much. I do have snow leopard, if installing that might help. I have never had issues with this laptop, other than the internet getting slower. Not sure what else to try. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Battery Information:
Model Information:
Serial Number: DP-ASMB016-36a1-1d50
Manufacturer: DP
Device name: ASMB016
Pack Lot Code: 0002
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 102a
Hardware Revision: 0500
Cell Revision: 0102
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 0
Fully charged: No
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 0
Health Information:
Cycle count: 138
Condition: Check Battery
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 49
Voltage (mV): 4040

Many Apple Discussions users, including me, purchase Mac items from Other World Computing ("OWC").
On the web, they're www.macsales.com.
I recently purchased the appropriate NewerTech replacement battery for my 2007 white MacBook from OWC for about 25% less than the new cost from Apple, including shipping.
Of course, if you're in the vicinity of an Apple store or one of the major electronics chains that is an authorized Apple dealer, you can pick an 'original' for retail price. The Apple store is probably more likely to have a black battery to match your black MacBook.

MacBook Pro 2011: Inconsistent cycle count for battery

hi folks,
i observed some strange behavior of the cycle count reported by the system.
when i got the machine the count was at one.
after loding the system twice the count was already at 6 cycles. (i really attached the power cord only twice and the system got continuous power. once i observed the the cycle counts changed while being on battery).
did anybody observed that behavior as well?
thx
stlei

The way the cycle count work is by percentage... eg if the computer runs on battery it has a 100% charge when full. If you discharge it 20% consider that 0.2 of a cycle count, these small percentages do add up. Now if you keep your computer plugged in all the time and you are experiencing these weird cycle counts and honestly have kept the adapter plugged in ALL the time, then please try to do a SMC reset (Shutdown the computer and make sure the charger is plugge in. Hold down the left shift key, the left control key and the left option key. Once those are held down press the power button, release the power button then the keys. Wait 5 seconds and boot up the machine.) If you are still having issues please call 1-800-APL-CARE... Apple is investigating strange hardware issues and the engineers would like to take a look at your computer.

HT1338 Macbook pro warning of "Service Battery" "Cycle Count" on mac os x lion.

My battery condition showing "Service Battery" and it has reached to 750 cycle count, what should I do?And will I be charged if i have to go to Apple store for battery replacing?

Recall that Java is not installed as part of Lion.
You have to install it (and are asked if you want to) when you first try to run some java stuff.
Is it possible that the iMac 2007 does not have Java yet?
Try this: open Terminal (from Utilities) and type java -version (exactly like that, with the space before the hyphen).
What do you get?
Consistent with this theory is that the dmg thing gave you the warning - installing java might make your machine less secure because java is a means for bad guys to try to do bad things to your computer.
charlie

I just bought MacBook Pro 13'' for 1 week, and load cycle is 11. How could I slow down the load cycle count?

The question is that, Could anyone tell me how to slow down load cycle count?

"Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time. An ideal use would be a commuter who uses her notebook on the train, then plugs it in at the office to charge. This keeps the battery juices flowing."
Could you please explain me this?
I also want to ask another question is: " Is it good if I charge to 100%, then drain battery to 80%, then plug-in charger again"?

Cycle Counts

For 47 Months 589 Cycle counts Good?

Cycle counts mean absolutely nothing except in the very old age / death of the battery
Sort term abuse kills a battery, not cycle counts.
I can abuse a battery and ruin it with only 50 cycles. Ignore cycles, focus on abuse.
General consideration of your MacBook battery
Contrary to popular myths about notebook batteries, there is protection circuitry in your Macbook and therefore you cannot ‘overcharge’ your notebook when plugged in and already fully charged.
However if you do not plan on using your notebook for several hours, turn it off (plugged in or otherwise), since you do not want your Macbook ‘both always plugged in and in sleep mode’.
A lot of battery experts call the use of Lithium-Ion cells the "80% Rule", meaning use 80% of the full charge or so, then recharge them for longer overall life. The main quantified damage done in the use of Lithium Ion batteries are instances where the internal notebook battery is “often drained very low”, this is bad general use of your notebook battery.
A person who has, for example, 300 charge cycles on their battery and is recharging at say 40% remaining of a 100% charge has a better battery condition state than, say, another person who has 300 charge cycles on their battery and is recharging at say 10-15% remaining on a 100% charge. DoD (depth of discharge) is much more important on the wear and tear on your Macbook’s battery than the count of charge cycles. There is no set “mile” or wear from a charge cycle in specific. Frequent high depth of discharge rates (draining the battery very low) on a Lithium battery will hasten the lowering of maximum battery capacity.
All batteries in any device are a consumable meant to be replaced eventually after much time, even under perfect use conditions.
If the massive amount of data that exists on lithium batteries were to be condensed into a simplex, helpful, and memorable bit of information it would be:
1. While realistically a bit impractical during normal everyday use, a lithium battery's longevity and its chemistry's health is most happy swinging back and forth between 20% and 85% charge roughly.
2. Do not purposefully drain your battery very low (10% and less), and do not keep them charged often or always high (100%).
3. Lithium batteries do not like the following:
A: Deep discharges, as meaning roughly 10% or less on a frequent basis.
B: Rapid discharges as referring to energy intensive gaming on battery on a frequent basis (in which case while gaming, if possible, do same on power rather than battery). This is a minor consideration.
C: Constant inflation, as meaning always or most often on charge, and certainly not both in sleep mode and on charge always or often.
From Apple on batteries:
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1446
"Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time."

Understanding Battery Information such as Cycle Count

What is the cycle count and what is an acceptable number?
My white MacBook has a count of 135 and runs perfectly for about 4-5 hours. No complaints. But the PowerBook I'm working on has a cycle count of 432 and it lasts less than an hour.
What is the Full Charged Capacity mean?
Once again I'm going to compare the 2 machines in front of me:
White MacBook 5072 mAh
PowerBook 12-in 276 mAh
Different numbers for different batteries?
Is a Powerbook's battery cycle count differnt than say a MacBook Pro?

Hi, YGP. Apple says a properly maintained Powerbook battery should retain 80% of its original full charge capacity after 300 charge/discharge cycles. A great many Powerbook batteries aren't properly maintained and lose capacity faster. And a good many Powerbook batteries, especially ones that were issued under the battery replacement program of a couple of years ago, have proven to be defective and lost capacity much faster than that.
A PB battery's capacity diminishes with its cycle count, its chronological age, and any kind of mistreatment: exposure to high temperatures; failure to cycle it at least every couple of weeks; leaving it discharged for more than a few days; leaving it unused for more than a month in any state of charge.
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
With 432 cycles under its belt and a full charge capacity of 276 mAh (less than 10% of its original capacity), your Powerbook's battery is due, if not overdue, to be replaced. If you're still getting anything close to an hour out of it, it has served you extremely well and earned its retirement.

HT1519 Mid 2009 MBP 15" cycle count 500ish but getting "Service Battery" notification after Mavericks upgrade

Dear Apple,
I've got a Mid 2009 Macbook pro 15". Been going great. Love it. Much better user experience than my PC laptop.
However, straight after Mavericks upgrade, I've been starting receiving "Service Battery" notification. I've had a look at my Cycle count, which is 516 as it currently stands. According to the spec, this expected battery count is 1000. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Dan

Dear Apple,
I've got a Mid 2009 Macbook pro 15". Been going great. Love it. Much better user experience than my PC laptop.
However, straight after Mavericks upgrade, I've been starting receiving "Service Battery" notification. I've had a look at my Cycle count, which is 516 as it currently stands. According to the spec, this expected battery count is 1000. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Dan

What's the average cycle count and lifespan of a PB G4 battery?

I've had my computer 15" Powerbook for about 22 months. Cycle count =367. My AppleCare warranty ends in about 14 more months. What's the average cycle count before the battery dies?
By the way, I use my computer everyday. This thing better than any other macbook pro out there. Thanks.

First, you should know that Applecare doesn't cover the battery, it is specifically excluded unless it's defective. That's because Apple considers the battery a consumable item. You can read it under limitations at http://images.apple.com/legal/applecare/docs/AppleCareProtect_Plan_NAen.pdf
Regarding the life, how you maintain the battery has an impact on how many cycles you get out of it. For example, if it's plugged in all the time, your cycle count will be low by the time the battery fails. Apple says that a properly maintained battery should be at 80% capacity after 300 cycles. This is the Apple note on battery maintenance: http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

New computer battery showing 75 cycle count

Hi,
I purchased a new macbook pro from an apple centre yesterday. As it was an older model (not core 2 duo) it was cheaper, and i was was told that although it was being sold as new the manager had opened it and used it very biefly in store (not as a demo - it was stressed this was being sold as a new computer.) now when i look at the system profiler i am getting the following for battery:
Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 5131
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 1896
Amperage (mA): 3340
Voltage (mV): 11944
Cycle Count: 75
75 cycle counts seems alot for a new computer.. does this indicate what i think it does- the battery has been charged and discharged 75 times?
(i get about 2.5 hours use out of the battery with photo and web work - which seems to be debated on this forum as to whether this is the expectation for this model)
any help on this matter would be appreciated.
macbook pro 2GHz Intel Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I'd ask then for a new battery given they're selling it to your as new. To get to a cycle count of 75 you're talking about discharging the battery fully (running the system for at least 3 hours on battery) per day over a period of 75 days. This is how much the battery, and hence the system, has been used.
There are many laptop owners that won't get to a cycle count of 75 after 12 months.

Cycle count verses full charge capacity.

My battery on my mackbook says to service battery. Now I know the cycle count is high but it seems to me that the full charge capacity is only about 50%. The macbook is about 2 years old but I would have thought I could have gone longer with the battery since the charge capacity is still pretty good. So, which is better to go off of, cycle count or full charge capacity, and from looking at the specs below does it appear as though I will need to buy a new battery? Thanks..
Firmware Version: 002a
Hardware Revision: 000a
Cell Revision: 0100
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 1818
Fully charged: No
Charging: Yes
Full charge capacity (mAh): 2776
Health Information:
Cycle count: 330
Condition: Check Battery
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 779
Voltage (mV): 12165

Nonsense. The battery will actually last longer if it gets used. If it never or is seldom used, then it will die an earlier death. I see nothing wrong with what you are doing.
About Batteries in Modern Apple Laptops
Apple - Batteries - Notebooks
Extending the Life of Your Laptop Battery
Apple - Batteries
Determining Battery Cycle Count
Calibrating your computer's battery for best performance
MacBook and MacBook Pro- Mac reduces processor speed when battery is removed while operating from an A-C adaptor
Battery University

MacBook Cycle count

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