MacOS 10.12.2 Sierra Update: Apple May Have Solved The New MacBook Pros Battery Problem

By Precious Gem de Peralta
MacBook Pro
Apple's latest macOS 10.12.2 Sierra update includes the removal of the "time remaining" battery life indicator. This is after complaints of the supposed short battery life of the MacBook Pros.  iPhoneDigital / Flickr

Apple has another thing to deal with aside from Microsoft’s recent announcement that more people are switching from MacBooks to Surface. Adding to the new MacBook Pro’s list of disappointments is the issue of the device’s battery life. The tech giant pointed that there is no problem with the hardware. Instead, Apple is rolling out a MacOS 10.12.2 Sierra software update that may resolve the supposed flaw.

If your MacBook Pro is already running on the recently released macOS 10.12.2 Sierra, you will no longer find the “time remaining” battery indicator. According to a report by Apple Insider, its removal is likely driven by complaints of the MacBook Pro’s short battery life. Users will no longer be given a real-time estimate.

This is when the loss of the “time remaining” indicator becomes significant. You will not be able to know for sure how long your battery will last. According to 9to5Mac, the new battery life status will instead show a percentage of remaining battery life akin to that in iOS devices. This, in turn, will provide an accurate prediction.

A source told the Apple Insider, “The percent measure that the user sees is gleaned from the battery circuitry examining battery output, plus capacity, and reporting to the OS what’s left. Totally accurate, and way better with the new processor.” The source added that there does not seem to be a “wide-spread material or software problem causing an excess drain on the batteries in the new MacBook Pro line.”

Apple said in a statement that customers should make an appointment or contact them if they are having problems with their device. The MacOS 10.12.2 Sierra update will also include new emoji, wallpapers, graphics fix and Auto Unlock with Apple Watch.

The said battery problem is only among other issues that plague Apple’s MacBook Pros. Microsoft cited other factors that might drive users to replace their Apple’s device with a Surface. The success of the company’s Surface Studio all-in-one PC and Surface Book with Performance Base compared to the MacBook Pros benefited from the former's innovative features as well as the trade-in program for Apple’s device.

Both Microsoft and Apple launched their new devices in October. Though the results are different, Microsoft boasted on its Windows website that the month of November saw their best Surface sales. Also, the Surface bundle was sold out in Best Buy during its first day, and the Surface Pen became the best seller in Germany’s PC Accessories on Amazon.com for over 12 hours.

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