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    Macbook Pro : Better Battery Life or Better Performance Settings?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by titaniummd, Jan 18, 2009.

  1. titaniummd

    titaniummd Notebook Deity

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    I do predominantly web surfing, editing photos and rendering videos on my Macbook Pro.

    I have it set for Better Battery Life.

    When should I set it up for "Better Performance"? Gaming?

    What do you have yours set up with and what applications are you predominantly running? If you are running Windows, also, does running with Better Performance make a difference?
     
    titaniummd, Jan 18, 2009
    #1
  2. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    When you're plugged in for sure set it to Better performance, especially when edition videos/rendering videos. Will increase efficiency and cut down on time alot.
     
    ronnieb, Jan 18, 2009
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  3. StrongerThanAll

    StrongerThanAll Notebook Deity

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    mainly better battery
    i can play warcraft 3 with all maxed out in that setting

    but when playing tf2 in windows.. then i dont really have an option
     
    StrongerThanAll, Jan 18, 2009
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  4. Colton

    Colton Also Proudly American

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    I use better performance while I am plugged in, and choose better battery life when I am using it off the charger.
     
    Colton, Jan 18, 2009
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  5. wobble987

    wobble987 Notebook Virtuoso

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    does it make a difference?

    what does this settings do anyway?
    dont the cpu auto throttle?

    what does the normal settings do?
    i would expect a manufacturer just leave it to auto all the way.
     
    wobble987, Jan 19, 2009
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  6. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    This is like Vista's/7s Power Saver, Balanced and performance modes.
     
    ronnieb, Jan 19, 2009
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  7. StrongerThanAll

    StrongerThanAll Notebook Deity

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    you guys are missing the point, using theses settings changes the video card

    Battery: 9400
    Performace: 9600
    hence, if you select performance, as the 9600 consumes more energy, it will decrease ur battery life
     
    StrongerThanAll, Jan 19, 2009
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  8. titaniummd

    titaniummd Notebook Deity

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    Thanks.

    I was wondering what programs people are noticing a better efficiency through the 9600 used (I assume Final Cut or Photoshop but I don't know).
     
    titaniummd, Jan 19, 2009
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  9. cdnalsi

    cdnalsi Food for the funky people

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    When I'm plugged in, and at my desk, and if I want to drive my 22" LG external display, I have to switch to the 9600M GT. Otherwise the display blinks randomly.

    When I'm on the road though, I love having that extra bit of juice with the 9400M.
     
    cdnalsi, Jan 19, 2009
    #9