Ask HN: node kills your Macbook battery and AppleCare doesn't cover it?

1 pointsby ldn_tech_exec1vor 13 Jahren2 comments

My Macbook Air is 6 months old, and I've been noticing that it no longer has its killer 7hr battery life like it used to.<p>I took it to the Apple Store Genius Bar and they ran the battery diagnostic program. The battery only holds 85% of its charge now, but all cells are in working order.

When the Genius asked me to load up my apps I use everyday, I loaded Terminal, booted my node server and Sublime Text 2.

When he checked Activity monitor the Genius immediately pointed out that the node process was consistently hammering 30% of one of the i7 cores.

As most developers must do, I run the little node server for 18hrs a day. He said, 'consistently hammering the core at 30% is killing your battery'.

To which I said, 'ok, but I have Apple Care etc...' and he explained that Apple Care does not cover this type of "battery depletion", it only covers "battery failure" when one of the battery cells malfunctions. A new battery is £100.

Has anyone else had this same experience? What to do?

2 comments

cmrx64vor 13 Jahren

Apple Care, as far as I can tell, is just an extended warrantee and support contract. Why should they replace hardware that is acting as expected? That's how galvanic cells work, get used to it.

benologistvor 13 Jahren

Take it to another store and just say you browse facebook all day and you don't know why the battery's deteriorating.