macbook battery cycle counter

[qwinkan]

I'm new to mac OS X, about to be switcher in 2 weeks.

I always see the "cycle count" mentioned in forums, I guess it is a good basis for figuring out stuff when the macbook battery has some problems.

wondering what free programs can I install that would keep track of this? something I can install right after my first boot to keep a full record of it.

Thanks

 

[Stretch]

CoconutBattery will give you that info.

 

[Huey69]

Instead of using CoconutBattery, I was the Widget "iStat Pro" (which can be found here: http://islayer.com/index.php?op=item&id=7 ). It is a great Widget to have IMO. It displays battery life, charge, cycles, etc along with other useful information about your Macbook(i.e CPU use, Memory use, Processes, etc).

The only advantage that CoconutBattery has over iStat is that it will display how many mAh charge your battery has.

Also, you can always go to System profiler to find the same information that either CoconutBattery or iStat provide.

 

[D3v1L80Y]

Instead of installing any extra crap... um I mean software , just look at your System Profiler.

Go to "About this Mac" from the Apple Menu
Click on the "More Info" button
Twirl down on the "Hardware" section
Then click the 'Power' section and look there.

When you do that you will see all of the information that those extra apps provide.

Battery Information:

Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 4122
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 4042
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 12465
Cycle Count: 80

 

[MMMII]

Nice widget, this iStat Pro.

How will the cycle count handle multiple batteries?

 

[KahluaFan]

Just did the About this Mac check, 307 charges in just under a years usage! Christ i charge it a lot, anyone else done that much? Interesting to see that the Mac charger doesn't charge when the batteries full, so no chance of an overcharge and therefore battery reduction? Like you get it your leave a mobile phone on charge overnight?

 

[qwinkan]

thanks for all the suggestions guys (^_^)

Another question, since we're talking about batteries...A friend has advised me to remove the battery from my toshiba laptop when flying/traveling. He says that his got broken during his last trip and his guess is that the airport luggage xray/scanning thingy might have had something to do with it. Is there any truth to this?

and more importantly, am I going to have to remove my macbook's battery as well when going on a flight?

thanks

 

[D3v1L80Y]

A friend has advised me to remove the battery from my toshiba laptop when flying/traveling. He says that his got broken during his last trip and his guess is that the airport luggage xray/scanning thingy might have had something to do with it. Is there any truth to this?

and more importantly, am I going to have to remove my macbook's battery as well when going on a flight?

thanks

No, X-rays will have absolutely no effect on your battery, and no, there is no need to remove your battery while in flight.

 

[MMMII]

I travel for work about 2-3 times per month with my MBP and have had no issues with the battery due to x-rays.

 

[qwinkan]

great, thanks (^o^)

 

[Huey69]

Nice widget, this iStat Pro.

How will the cycle count handle multiple batteries?

From my understanding, the battery has its on little circuit board that keeps track of charge, cycle count, etc and transmits that to the computer.

 

[kilo15]

I am sorry for hijacking but what do you guys do for power in air. Mag safe airline thing?

 

[qwinkan]

I am sorry for hijacking but what do you guys do for power in air. Mag safe airline thing?

yea i'd like to know about this too