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Filed under: Portables, Macbook Pro, MacBook

MacBooks take performance nosedive on AC power alone


Here's a curious thing. Gearlog is reporting that in testing a MacBook Pro, they found substantially lower performance while running on AC power alone, with the battery removed. Apparently, Apple doesn't hide this quirk; there's a Support Document claiming that this is done to prevent "the computer from shutting down if it demands more power than the A/C adapter alone can provide."

On their new unibody MacBook Pro, Gearlog noted a 36% lower processor benchmark without the battery. The upshot is simple: leave the battery in, even if you use your MacBook (Pro) at your desk. Interestingly, at the same time Apple does recommend allowing the battery to discharge at least once per month.

[via Engadget]

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To find out what version of Mac OS you are running, go to the Apple logo in the top left corner, click it and choose About This Mac. From that window you will see the version number, processor, memory and chosen startup disk. Clicking Software Update will check for updates, and More Info... will open up an extensive list of everything on your machine.


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