12.10 Macbook Pro 8.2 Horrible Battery

[Migrashin]

I just recently installed Ubuntu 12.10 64 bit edition on my Macbook Pro.

I am only getting about 1:47 minutes of battery life fully charged. Keyboard backlit off, screen dimness all the way down. From what I've read it seems to be because there is a integrated and dedicated graphics. Ubuntu doesn't seem to recognize the integrated one and always uses the dedicated one.

So does anyone know anyway to improve the battery life? I have read some stuff about hybrid graphics but nothing that seemed to work with the Macbook 8.2

Other battery saving tips would be appreciated too. Thanks!

[pierceTN]

I just recently installed Ubuntu 12.10 64 bit edition on my Macbook Pro.

I am only getting about 1:47 minutes of battery life fully charged. Keyboard backlit off, screen dimness all the way down. From what I've read it seems to be because there is a integrated and dedicated graphics. Ubuntu doesn't seem to recognize the integrated one and always uses the dedicated one.

So does anyone know anyway to improve the battery life? I have read some stuff about hybrid graphics but nothing that seemed to work with the Macbook 8.2

Other battery saving tips would be appreciated too. Thanks!

look at this thread:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...hlight=battery

also if you have a Nvidia gpu i'd check this out:

http://wiki.ubuntu.com/bumblebee


-Pierce

[Migrashin]

Oh yeah, my GPU is AMD Radeon HD 6750m with a Intel 3000 integrated graphics.

I installed the CPUfreq and set it to powersave, did not change the battery life.

[pierceTN]

Oh yeah, my GPU is AMD Radeon HD 6750m with a Intel 3000 integrated graphics.

I installed the CPUfreq and set it to powersave, did not change the battery life.

Some things that will use your battery the most will be your wifi, screen (turning your screen brightness down will help) and bluetooth...

also, if you are only getting a few minutes out of it it could be time to replace your battery. How long did it last before you installed ubuntu? Also, you could try out some battery-optimized versions of linux like fuduntu(http://www.fuduntu.org/), or a lighter weight desktop like lubuntu (http://lubuntu.net/)


Cheers,


-Pierce

[Chav]

I'm guessing that you have installed Ubuntu using BIOS emulation mode without EFI. This means that the Radeon card is powered on all the time and will use a lot of battery power.

Installing Ubuntu in EFI mode will let you boot with the Intel graphics only, or Radeon, or switch once booted. With the Intel card only I see about 4.5 hrs of battery life on my late 2011 Macbook Pro 8,2.

I used this guide to help me get booting with Intel graphics only in EFI mode.
http://dentifrice.poivron.org/laptops/macbookpro8,2/

And this guide to get switching working. (This requires Kernel compiling)
http://ck.kennt-wayne.de/2012/jun/ge...o-82-late-2011


If you want to stick with BIOS mode and get some more battery life I would use the program powertop to see what is using battery power. Also, the program Jupiter does a great job at automatically tuning the system for performance or battery life depending on if AC power is hooked up.
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/jupiter-li...ol-applet.html

[Migrashin]

I'm guessing that you have installed Ubuntu using BIOS emulation mode without EFI. This means that the Radeon card is powered on all the time and will use a lot of battery power.

Installing Ubuntu in EFI mode will let you boot with the Intel graphics only, or Radeon, or switch once booted. With the Intel card only I see about 4.5 hrs of battery life on my late 2011 Macbook Pro 8,2.

I used this guide to help me get booting with Intel graphics only in EFI mode.
http://dentifrice.poivron.org/laptops/macbookpro8,2/

And this guide to get switching working. (This requires Kernel compiling)
http://ck.kennt-wayne.de/2012/jun/ge...o-82-late-2011


If you want to stick with BIOS mode and get some more battery life I would use the program powertop to see what is using battery power. Also, the program Jupiter does a great job at automatically tuning the system for performance or battery life depending on if AC power is hooked up.
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/jupiter-li...ol-applet.html

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for. I'll give it a try when I get home.