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Do majority of MBP users keep their laptop plugged in?

M

MacChinoNyc

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 14, 2008
427
7
I'm just wondering because is it a bad idea to run the battery down to like 10% and then plugging in as needed?
 
Most modern batteries are ok with being plugged in the majority of the time. However, it is still important to occasionally cycle your battery.

I had to replace my battery on my early '08 MBP because I always kept it plugged in. It eventually swelled and became dangerous. I had to replace it. Now, I end up using my MBP off battery more than on, but mainly because I am away from my desk more.
 
I keep it plugged in 90% of the time. I think the batteries are cheap enough that it's best to just do what fits your workflow, rather than worry about it. Even if you have to replace it after 3-4 years of usage, it's not that big of a deal.

I had 800+ cycles on my MBP 2008 battery and it would still give me about an hour of charge.
 
I used to. With a new rMBP 13" coming next week, I'll try leaving it unplugged most of the time. If they're good with replacing batteries that don't do so well with the keeping their charge of 80% and 1000 cycles, I figure I'll have a better chance getting there within the 3 years of AppleCare.
 
I only plug in when the battery is about to die. Otherwise I prefer the portability of no plug.
 
how good are these batteries on the rMBPs? The one from my late 2008 MB got all swollen. Luckily I can swap it in like 20 seconds. These however are glued down.
 
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You guys should've gotten iMacs lol.

I'm on the go most of the time. Class, girlfriend's apartment, a coffee shop or just taking it with me to work. I'll be taking it with me to Japan when I move and I fully intend on taking it with me to shops and such.

I bought a MacBook so I could carry it around and use it as a mobile. Using it as a desktop? *purpose defeated*

I'd say I use it while plugged maybe 20% of the time. If I'm working at my desk or at a study lounge with plugs. But 80% of the time, I'm cycling it.
 
Don't know if I am in the minority or majority, but I bought a laptop so I don't have to keep it plugged in. I only plug in when I need a charge. That's about every other day. Sometimes its 3 days depending on how much I use it.

I never even turn it off. While asleep it uses almost no battery. I charged it one day and didn't use it for 2 days and when I opened it up, it still had 100% battery.
 
I use a laptop because of the nature of my work. I travel to client sites 80% of the time --- and carrying an iMac through an Airport gets old fast. But, I plug my laptop in whenever there is a plug nearby.
 
I try to abide by the 80\40 rule as much as possible at home. Charge to 80% let it drain to 40% and repeat. Obviously if I am away from a power source its use it til' you lose it!
 
My laptop is plugged in about 90% of time. I do use it off the main power but its plugged in the majority of the time.
 
Essenar said:
You guys should've gotten iMacs lol.

I'm on the go most of the time. Class, girlfriend's apartment, a coffee shop or just taking it with me to work. I'll be taking it with me to Japan when I move and I fully intend on taking it with me to shops and such.

I bought a MacBook so I could carry it around and use it as a mobile. Using it as a desktop? *purpose defeated*

I'd say I use it while plugged maybe 20% of the time. If I'm working at my desk or at a study lounge with plugs. But 80% of the time, I'm cycling it.
Click to expand...

I travel quite extensively for my job, so an iMac doesn't work for me
However, when I reach my destination, I keep it plugged in
 
What is better for the battery, to keep it plugged or let it drain to a certain % and than plug it?
 
chakdey said:
What is better for the battery, to keep it plugged or let it drain to a certain % and than plug it?
Click to expand...

Depends on how long you intend to use the machine to be honest. My rule of thumb is, if you have 100%, unplug it and use it to at least 45% or maybe lower.

If you know you have to leave outlets for a while, keep it charged and lower the brightness.

For me, I find reasons to take it away from the desk and use it on my lap. I'll take it to the couch and work there or take it to a cafe or class or take it on the road and use it at a friend's house. I leave my charger in the car because I like to 'enjoy' the long battery life. It keeps it healthy and makes you feel less tethered.
 
i run mine till i get plugin warning everyday then plug it in and use it the remainder of the day, i have done this will all my macbooks in the past and had great longevity.
 
My MBPR is virtually always plugged in!

However I wanted to retain the portability option for working away and whatnot - hence not opting for an iMac.
 
I keep mine plugged in whenever I can.. (Which is virtually all the time, as I'm in a computer science class)

About cycling the battery all the time, it's honestly a bad idea. We've tested it with two laptops that was purchased around the same time, and we've cycled one laptops battery (as in 100% to around 30-40% at least once a day) and now the one that was cycled has around 60% capacity left, while the one that was plugged in all the time has around 85% capacity left.

tl;dr don't cycle the battery just to cycle it. (Except maybe once every 2 months)
 
I keep my MacBook Pro Plugged in when I am at Home and use on Battery when out from Home (College, Classes, Friend's Place or Sometimes Office).
I believe there is no Harm to keep your MacBook Plugged in but use Battery once or Twice a month.
 
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