MBP battery lasts around 2 hours

[Grumpyguy]

Bought my pre-unibody, new Macbook Pro late December of 2008.

Battery lasts maybe 2 hours just surfing the web. I turn off the keyboard backlighting, turn down the brightness of the screen, no bluetooth....

I've let the battery run down to zero and recharged it several times....

Is this normal for a battery?

Here's the info on the battery:
Battery Information:

Model Information:
Manufacturer: Sony
Device name: ASMB012
Pack Lot Code: 0000
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 0110
Hardware Revision: 0500
Cell Revision: 0303
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 3830
Fully charged: No
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 4733
Health Information:
Cycle count: 122
Condition: Normal
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): -2408
Voltage (mV): 11698

System Power Settings:

AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: No
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Wake On LAN: No
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 3
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Current Power Source: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Reduce Brightness: Yes

[C(-)ris]

Looks about right. The full charge capacity is more than mine with 212 charge cycles. Battery life is based on what you do with the laptop. 2 hours is reasonable if you are surfing the web or watching DVDs on wireless.

Watch the activity monitor. Flash websites will eat the battery and use up tons of CPU cycles.

[nwyaker]

Did you check with Apple to see whether this battery is within range for recall/replacement ? I had similar issue with same MBP and they exchanged for a new battery.

[IronMac]

Download coconutBattery and have a quick look but I think that your experience is typical.

My first battery (preunibody 2.5 MBP purchased in late Oct. of 2008) died by August and was replaced. I purchased a second battery in April of this year and it's down to 90% health now.

[lipskidder]

My pre-unibody MBP replacement battery is lasting 1:45 surfing the web. I asked if this was normal and was told yes and the newer unibody MBPs should last a lot longer.

[Grumpyguy]

Just did a test run--the 2 hour number was a gut guess--

Reality is probably closer to an hour and half.

[IronMac]

lipskidder wrote:
My pre-unibody MBP replacement battery is lasting 1:45 surfing the web. I asked if this was normal and was told yes and the newer unibody MBPs should last a lot longer.

I'll believe that after people have had a year's worth of work on them.

[testcase]

I think batteries are covered under Apple Care. You DID buy AC didn't you?

[C(-)ris]

testcase wrote:
I think batteries are covered under Apple Care. You DID buy AC didn't you?

They are considered a consumable and NOT covered. The Apple store has a test they run to see if they are defective or just consumed.