So I’ve finally bitten the Apple, and I got myself a Macbook Pro. I wouldn’t say I’ve “switched,” because I plan on installing Windows XP with Bootcamp soon. One of the reasons I hated my previous laptop was its truly terrible battery life, even when it was new. I didn’t realize that batteries suffer what is commonly referred to as a “memory effect” (in reality, voltage depression), that can essentially be overcome by allowing the battery to discharge and cycle. With a Macbook Pro, use the following instructions:

• Fully charge your MacBook/MacBook Pro.
• Once fully charged, leave it plugged in for at least another 2 hours.
• Remove the MagSafe power adapter, and use your computer until you get the battery level warning message.
• Ignore that message and keep working.
• Eventually the machine will go to sleep.
• Do NOT plug it in. Instead, let it sleep for at least 5 hours.
• After the time has passed, plug it back in, and let it fully charge.
• Once fully charged, your battery has been properly calibrated.

High temperatures can also decrease a battery’s life span, so keep your laptop well-ventilated during use, and don’t put it in any ovens, ever.