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    AC vs Battery

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by DJRiful, Sep 19, 2010.

  1. DJRiful

    DJRiful Notebook Consultant

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    Not sure if this exists in OS X or in the Apple world... lol

    My MacBook Pro is coming in tomorrow hopefully from a super long wait over the weekend (sad).

    Now, just curious that I am not sure if the power theory is the same as PC.

    We all know that Windows has Power Save mode and Performance mode. It will throttle the CPU or GPU down for more battery saving while running on battery only.

    Since MacBook series has switchable graphic and such. There is no such things as power saving mode or performance mode.

    Plug in AC for full power.
    Less performance while running on Battery.

    My question is; MacBook just runs as if there's AC or not the same power level. Just like iPhone / iPod Touch?


    I'm asking because I'm lazy to keep finding power jack around in University in order to do intensive 3D animation or video editing. If the MacBook will just run as full power if needed while on battery. I'll be happy.
     
    DJRiful, Sep 19, 2010
    #1
  2. sulkorp

    sulkorp Notebook Deity

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    In the past with macs, when on battery performance would be limited.
    I don't know if they continued it onto the newer models, haven't had a chance to test out mine yet.
     
    sulkorp, Sep 19, 2010
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  3. cdnalsi

    cdnalsi Food for the funky people

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    They don't do it anymore.

    I play Starcraft II on battery mode all the time. It's the same performance as when I'm plugged in at home.
     
    cdnalsi, Sep 19, 2010
    #3
  4. iRis9091

    iRis9091 Notebook Consultant

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    yup same performance here as well
     
    iRis9091, Sep 20, 2010
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  5. DJRiful

    DJRiful Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the information guys. I'll be happy to work on battery performance then instead of wasting time chasing power jacks.
     
    DJRiful, Sep 20, 2010
    #5
  6. Akari

    Akari Notebook Evangelist

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    Don't expect the battery life to be very long while doing these kinds of things...

    Even gaming doesn't suck back this much power.
     
    Akari, Sep 20, 2010
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  7. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    yeah, i don't know how much "intensive 3d animation" you do, but from my experience, i would not want to be doing that on the battery and risk my renderer bugging out when the the battery dies after 30 seconds and not even 1 frame is done...
     
    masterchef341, Sep 20, 2010
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  8. TheRocketmac

    TheRocketmac Notebook Geek

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    When I'm at work, I have my MBP set to "Higher Performance" which enables the use of the 9600M video card. I also use this when I'm going to be playing games like Portal. When I'm on the couch, I have it set to "Better battery life", which uses the 9400M and also dims the screen a bit.
     
    TheRocketmac, Sep 20, 2010
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  9. Generic User #2

    Generic User #2 Notebook Deity

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    ya....like everyone said, be VERY careful of your battery dieing.

    naturally, shut off all your other programs, make sure the vents aren't blocked, dim the screen as much as possible, and KEEP AN EYE on the battery levels.
     
    Generic User #2, Sep 20, 2010
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  10. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    it'll warn you when low....

    it'll 'hibernate' when too low to try to prevent anything fro being lost.
     
    doh123, Sep 20, 2010
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  11. DJRiful

    DJRiful Notebook Consultant

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    True but... this new 2010 I have now is Intel HD auto switch to GF
     
    DJRiful, Sep 20, 2010
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  12. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    there are 3rd party apps you can use to choose your graphics and not have it auto switch.
     
    doh123, Sep 20, 2010
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  13. DJRiful

    DJRiful Notebook Consultant

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    I will be happy to have some links..
     
    DJRiful, Sep 20, 2010
    #13
  14. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    heres one...

    gfxCardStatus
     
    doh123, Sep 20, 2010
    #14