On 9/21/04 10:55 AM, "Tom Legare" <Tom.Legare at comcast.net> wrote: > On my 500MHz iBook running OS X 10.3.5 my battery life is only lasting > about an hour these days. When this computer was new, I could get 3.5 > hours in OS9 mode. Now, it seems to get shorter and shorter with each > updated version of OS X. First, OS 9 was very well optimized for battery. I can remember going all day at work and even have a staff meeting and never worry about running out of juice. Those were the days. OS X is based on an OS that hasn't historically been a notebook OS and while each upgrade has brought somewhat better battery usage it still isn't there yet. Of course, at the same time the computers themselves are becoming less frugal. You are attributing the lowered battery performance with OS updates but what is really going on is time. Your battery is aging. Depending on how you use it, you'll find your battery lasts 1-3 years before becoming noticeably less than it was. I generally buy a new batter at about 18 months and use the older one as a spare. david