Apple fans seem to have a lot to be excited about as of late. The most recent iPad model was launched in the beginning of March, and then rumors of an iPhone successor began surfacing soon after. Now it seems that a revamped and redesigned Macbook Pro is in the works. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company has yet to unveil the next-generation laptop and hasn't mentioned a release date, but some rumors point to May or June.
In addition to speculations about an overhauled design and a brand new set of Ivy Bridge chips, there may be indications of an improved battery life. On April 17, Apple Insider reported that the company is exploring new power management technologies for its next line of products.
The website said that this new technology would allow devices to be "more efficient and run even longer on battery power." These efforts were revealed by a new job position at Apple's headquarters titled "Senior DC-DC Power System Design Engineer," which Apple Insider discovered.
The advertisement for the position describes the job as "an excellent opportunity to work on the forefront of new power management technologies." This means that the employee will be working with a team to innovate in power use throughout a variety of stages, from concept and design investigation through product implementation.
"The position primarily involves (advanced) DC-DC power design and development for Apple's next generation Macintosh platforms, spanning from notebook computers, desktop computers, servers and standalone displays," the listing reads.
The job posting also included a variety of areas in which the new hire would work, which includes 11 different sections. One of these involves improving power metric performance optimization, with a focus on efficiency, power density, cost, reduced carbon footprint, and scalability.
Apple's current Macbook Pro boasts up to seven hours of wireless Internet surfing on a single charge, according to the company's official website.
"The new Macbook Pro delivers amazing battery life," the website reads, also adding that the battery features three times the lifespan of other notebooks.
Despite the acclaimed battery life that Apple exhibits on its website, some users have reported problems with the 2011 edition Macbook Pro.
"I picked up one of the new Macbooks and it seems like the battery life is not as great as Apple advertised it to be," read a post in the Mac Forumsfrom a user in March 2011. "I am averaging about four hours per charge. The battery charges pretty quickly but it sucks I have to charge it so often."
In addition to shortened battery life, one Mac owner reported an issue involving the device's sleep mode. In late February of 2012, a user wrote that the device would automatically go into sleep mode at random points, and the battery life had been reduced to between two and three hours after a full charge.
Another user complained in the Mac-based message board about the issue of battery bloating as well.
"It has swelled up and has been making my track pad malfunction and drag things everywhere," a user posted in July 2011 referring to a Macbook purchased in 2007. The author behind the post continued to write that Apple suggested a new battery might solve the problem.
It is crucial to keep in mind that battery life can vary depending on a variety of factors. Often times a battery issue can be solved by using power-saving methods and avoiding overcharging one's computer. However, if Apple is in the process of revolutionizing its energy efficient practices, fans may not have to discover tricks and tips to keep their batteries fresh and healthy.
