Unofficial archive. This is a read-only, community-run archive of the Apple Support Community. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc.
littlelle_berry
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

MacBook Neo experiences significant battery drainage during Zoom calls

Is this massive battery drainage supposed to be fine ?


I bought my MacBook Neo 3 weeks ago so it is brand new I would say. The battery is great; I mean 11 cycle count and maximum capacity 100. it also lasts for a long time while just browsing on safari and watching movies (Although watching YouTube does drains the battery unlike other activities)


The main problem is zoom. I hopped on to a Zoom call at 10 and left at 12. The original battery percentage was at 92 and when I checked it again after I left, it was 38 !!!??? One thing to note , I turned on my video , talk , share screen and I use other apps while running Zoom such as Safari with Google Gemini and Telegram Web .


I am just wondering whether it is really fine or if I am in deep trouble for this massive battery drainage.

Posted on Sep 21, 2026 11:01 PM

3 replies

Allan Jones
User level: Level 10 (85,896 points)

Sep 22, 2026 9:22 AM in response to littlelle_berry

Even on Macs with more RAM and more capable processors, I do not do video conferencing on battery. I plug in.


Video-conferencing is quite near the top of the list of activities most demanding of hardware resources. Even on Mac laptops that have cooling fans (Neo does not), Zoom and other VC apps create a lot of heat due to the work they require of the computer. Hard work demands power and creates heat.


In addition to plugging in, I suggest you use little risers under the NEO to allow air to move underneath the case bottom. I saved a few of the kids' Lego blocks for that. They work quite well.

John Galt
User level: Level 10 (162,806 points)

Sep 22, 2026 9:22 AM in response to littlelle_berry

Read If your Mac battery runs out of charge quickly - Apple Support, and this passage in particular:


  • Quit apps that you aren’t using. Even an app you aren’t using may be working in the background and consuming energy.


You mentioned Google Gemini. Google infests a Mac with a plethora of constantly running and automatically updating processes that will burden any Mac. Those processes cannot be "quit" for that reason. Uninstall Google. Better yet, never use Google for anything.

kaz-k
User level: Level 9 (53,902 points)

Sep 21, 2026 11:24 PM in response to littlelle_berry

Hi,

Because of MacBook Neo has only 8GB RAM, heavy applications such as Zoom, you should stop background applications during Zooming which could stop fast battery draining.


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256362457