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Do I really have to drain the battery to about 50% every 2-3 days?

D

doxavita

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 6, 2010
614
3
I recall reading that if I keep my MBP plugged to the wall all the time ( I do), I should drain the battery to about 50% every 2-3 days, to keep the battery's juices flowing.

Personally I don't have the patience to do this all the time. Is this step really that important?

What are your thoughts?
 
I give my 13" a good drain to ~10% every month or so. Other than that, I just try to drain it to 40% or lower once a week, and my battery life has still been 10+ hours after 30 cycles.
 
Yes I know, (that's where I read it from). But how important is it to do that? What do YOU think?
 
yes you should use your battery ... it is the best way to maintain your battery health.

Leaving your battery plugged in constantly will have negative effects over the long haul.

try not to think of it as such a chore. :cool:
 
When people worry about batteries they usually don't take into account...

...that battery care is an inexact science,
...that you most likely won't have to have your battery replaced before you buy a new machine,
...that by "maintaining" your battery you might extend its life, but you have no way to know by how much,
...that even if your battery fails from not being "maintained" properly, you probably have no need for a 8+ hour battery in the first place.

YMMV. Worrying about batteries is pointless.
 
If you drain the system once a month, you will already be doing better than most people with Laptops.

Seriously, some people get a laptop, plug it in, and leave it plugged in for years. Then one day, they wonder why they can't get more than 5 minutes of charge when they do try to go portable with it.
 
Nope.

I usually have my MBP hooked up to the wall, almost constantly for the 21 months I've had it.

My battery capacity per CoconutBattery (commonly used on this forum) is still nearly the same as when I got the computer.

13060 mAh compared to the most recent 13018 mAh...

Also as far as real world performance, I still get the full 8 hours out of my battery. (Power settings permitting)
 
Minimoose 360 said:
Nope.

I usually have my MBP hooked up to the wall, almost constantly for the 21 months I've had it.

My battery capacity per CoconutBattery (commonly used on this forum) is still nearly the same as when I got the computer.

13060 mAh compared to the most recent 13018 mAh...

Also as far as real world performance, I still get the full 8 hours out of my battery. (Power settings permitting)
Click to expand...

CoconutBattery could be reporting an inaccurate or WRONG amount since you leave your system plugged in all the time.

Run it down to 0%, charge it back to 100%.
Run it down to 0% again, and back to 100% again.

There is a chance that your capacity may drop a bit since you've left it plugged in continuously and haven't conditioned/calibrated (ever).
 
Best way to save your battery?

JUST USE IT WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT.

Thats the way Apple designed it to be.
 
I don't understand the logic behind buying a macbook and keeping it plugged in 24/7... why not just buy an iMac? My battery is continually drained & charged because I use it almost exclusively as a laptop ... although I'll admit all the battery talk gets me a little freaked out about the number of charge cycles I'm already at, given I've had mine for not quite a month ;)
 
Apparently it's necessary to post this quote from Apple's website, despite the links provided over and over again:

Standard Maintenance
For proper maintenance of a lithium-based battery, it’s important to keep the electrons in it moving occasionally. Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time. An ideal use would be a commuter who uses her MacBook Pro on the train, then plugs it in at the office to charge. This keeps the battery juices flowing. If on the other hand, you use a desktop computer at work, and save a notebook for infrequent travel, Apple recommends charging and discharging its battery at least once per month. Need a reminder? Add an event to your desktop’s iCal.
Click to expand...

Hope this answers the question.
 
If I unplug my MBP from the wall, and then just let it sleep for 2-3 days (1% of battery drain per hour), does that count too? , Or do I have to drain it to 50% WHILE I'm using it, or even a bit of both? Does it matter?
 
Hehe, if you have it plugged into the wall all the time and never use the battery:

1. You don't really need a laptop :p

2. Why do you need good battery life if its always plugged into the wall:D
 
I bought a laptop because I don't have a lot of space.
What do you think about draining the battery while my MBP is in sleep?
 
doxavita said:
If I unplug my MBP from the wall, and then just let it sleep for 2-3 days (1% of battery drain per hour), does that count too? , Or do I have to drain it to 50% WHILE I'm using it, or even a bit of both? Does it matter?
Click to expand...
It's really not that complicated. While you're working on your MBP, just reach up and unplug the MagSafe adapter from the MBP, leaving the other end plugged into the wall. After a few hours, plug it back in. It's so simple, even a cave man can do it! You can even set a reminder in iCal, if you have a hard time remembering.
 
Last edited:
Sure, no problem!, then that means I have to drain it WHILE using it. (I'm a caveman btw) ;)
 
Up until now I would just drain it from sleep, guess I was doing something wrong.
 
Sorry to keep asking this over and over, but I really need to know...

When I drain my battery to about 50% does it have to be WHILE using it, or can I drain it by having my MBP in sleep about 2 days? other than that, problem solved.
 
doxavita said:
sorry to keep asking this over and over, but i really need to know...

When i drain my battery to about 50% does it have to be while using it, or can i drain it by having my mbp in sleep about 2 days? Other than that, problem solved.
Click to expand...
YES! Drain it while you use it! PLEASE read the link in post #3! How many times do we have to answer the same question before you get it?
 
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