Battery Life on 12 Inch PowerBook

[Fat_Tonie]

What is the average battery life of a 12 inch PowerBook? I hear reports of about 2 and a half hours and reports of 4 hours. Under normal use such as listening to music, burning CDs, watching movies, etc..., what should I expect in the way of battery life?

Thanks...
Nathan

 

[Abstract]

Its probably between 3-4 hours, depending on what you're doing. You can even get 4 to 4.5 hours if you're just typing out a report.

 

[Freg3000]

I am a multitasker in the fullest, so understand that iTunes, Safari, and a simple game are always open. Plus whatever I happen to be doing in addition to that like Photoshop or iMovie.

I get about 3:15 with Airport off, and about 2:45 with Airport on. When all my applications are closed after I recharged the battery, I get about 4:30.

 

[pyrotoaster]

You've got to remember that listening to music is going to use a lot less power than watching a movie. A DVD can suck the juice out of a five hour battery in two and a half hours.
And there are always little tricks to getting the most out of your battery. Switch the screen to greyscale if you don't need the colors. Turn off any wireless (Like AirPort and Bluetooth) when it's not in use. Etc.

 

[ecino1]

I just got my 12 inch powerbook and calibrated the battery like the manual said and after a full charge my battery indicator says 100% battery (1:46) time remaining and all I am doing is typing this right now and listening to itunes. Is this normal? Seems kind of short battery life.

 

[chewbaccapits]

I seem to get the same time after I calibrate it as well....I will try to turn off Airport...What else though? Spin the HD down after a couple of minutes as well?

 

[Powerbook G5]

It takes time for a new battery to reach it's optimum performance. If you calibrate it uninterupted and run it down, it should get back up there in battery life.

 

[iJon]

well i usually get 2.5-3 hours with airport on. bluetooth never made a difference. now with panther 7b28 i get about 4 hours with airport on.

iJon

 

[Freg3000]

Originally posted by iJon
well i usually get 2.5-3 hours with airport on. bluetooth never made a difference. now with panther 7b28 i get about 4 hours with airport on.

iJon

Cool. Something to look forward to.

 

[hugemullens]

with airport on and nothing more than internet and instant messaging, screen at half and processor at reduced i get almost 4 hours. Same thing with itunes playing i get about 2:45, movies about 2 hours with brightness on high.

 

[NavyIntel007]

I get around 3 and a half hours when airport is on. Though I really can't tell because the battery meter isn't accurate.

 

[Nawlins]

I calibrated my battery after I bought my 12" Powerbook and I get about 2:35 on a charge. However, I rarely use the computer away from a power source.

Alex