Battery degradation from minimal use

[darkmatter343]

My M1 Air is seeing extremely little use, to the extent of once every 2 weeks for an hr or 2. Since I mostly wfh, and when I'm not on my work laptop I'm on my desktop PC I just have no use for the Air. But, since I use it very little I'm also only charging it about once a month, if that. I'm curious if the few charges and long durations between use will affect the battery degradation more.

 

[KaliYoni]

Li-ion battery life is usually measured in terms of charge cycles. If your MBA is turned off and not plugged in when you're not using it, your usage pattern probably won't affect the expected battery life much.

Something that can affect Li-ion batteries is long periods of non-use. It's good to get the electrons moving periodically, either through charging or usage. I'd say, though, that using your machine twice a month ought to be sufficient. But if you want more than a gut reaction, you could either get a battery health utility (a lot of people seem to like coconutBattery) or see if Apple's control panel in System Preferences gives you enough information.

 

[Okta]

There's quite a few techniques you can use to lengthen the live of your battery, like KaliYoni alluded to. Try and keep it out of the cold, don't store it completely empty and fully drain and charge it every month and you'll be fine.

 

[tps3443]

My M1 Air is seeing extremely little use, to the extent of once every 2 weeks for an hr or 2. Since I mostly wfh, and when I'm not on my work laptop I'm on my desktop PC I just have no use for the Air. But, since I use it very little I'm also only charging it about once a month, if that. I'm curious if the few charges and long durations between use will affect the battery degradation more.

If it’s sitting like that. I would use Aldente, and keep the machine charged to 50% all the time.

I use lipo batteries that are pretty expensive in 1/5 scale RC cars. I always storage charge them, if I am not gonna use them for even a few days. I could fully charge a lipo battery, let it sit at 100% for 5 days, and it would be fat and swollen full of gas escaping.

The same happens with MacBooks. Although, not as extreme due to how the batteries are built and engineered. Although, MacBooks still pop open from swelling batteries.

I would say 40-50% Aldente will lock
it at that (Or your desired percentage) while the machine is plugged in 24/7.

It is a great app!

If you know that your going to actually run the machine, and need it charged then just Charge it to 80% and you’ll be just fine. Or if you need maximum capacity, then just go for 100%. But only if your gonna use the machine.

I try not to think about it too much, but if the machine is just sitting around the house not getting used, then 30-70% is just fine.

 

[Ghostrider72]

If it’s sitting like that. I would use Aldente, and keep the machine charged to 50% all the time.

I use lipo batteries that are pretty expensive in 1/5 scale RC cars. I always storage charge them, if I am not gonna use them for even a few days. I could fully charge a lipo battery, let it sit at 100% for 5 days, and it would be fat and swollen full of gas escaping.

The same happens with MacBooks. Although, not as extreme due to how the batteries are built and engineered. Although, MacBooks still pop open from swelling batteries.

I would say 40-50% Aldente will lock
it at that (Or your desired percentage) while the machine is plugged in 24/7.

It is a great app!

If you know that your going to actually run the machine, and need it charged then just Charge it to 80% and you’ll be just fine. Or if you need maximum capacity, then just go for 100%. But only if your gonna use the machine.

I try not to think about it too much, but if the machine is just sitting around the house not getting used, then 30-70% is just fine.

I don't know the suggested app concerning the battery management and I prefer to do by myself anyway I agree that the best storage condition for lithium batteries is about 50% in order to keep the perfect balance. As for me, I use it only on battery and a charge lasts me about six days of use. It is great indeed and I am happy with it.

 

[jdb8167]

The new optimized battery charging is working great for me. My M1 MacBook Air is mostly on a charger in clamshell mode and the optimized charging keeps it around 80%.

 

[tps3443]

I don't know the suggested app concerning the battery management and I prefer to do by myself anyway I agree that the best storage condition for lithium batteries is about 50% in order to keep the perfect balance. As for me, I use it only on battery and a charge lasts me about six days of use. It is great indeed and I am happy with it.

Aldente allows you to use the macbook while it is plugged in, and it’ll sustain whatever battery percentage you set it to.

So if you set the MacBook to 50%, it’ll only use the wall power. And the battery will stay at 50% while it is plugged in.

I use my MacBook Air for gaming during work at home. And leaving these games open for hours just pulls massive power, and depletes the battery rapidly.


I can leave the game open for 4-6 hours straight, and my MacBook Air M1 stays at 50% and uses only wall power.

Otherwise, I would be sitting there with my battery stuck at 100% all day long. Or if it wasn’t plugged in, I would be charging/draining literally all day cycling the battery lol.