Does using the mac plugged in has any effect on the battery? Charging it with another usb c charger?

[chad.petree]

A got a couple of doubts, I use my laptop 60% of the time plugged in , I don't have a desktop machine, only my mac is my only computer, I just take out with me when I have to give a presentation at my university or I'm asking a proffesor for advice /tips ( aka 20% of the time) and the other 20% of the time I watch something on netflix with it .

If I keep my laptop plugged in the whole time , that I use it at home, does it "count" for the charging cycles? How does the whole thing with the charging cycles work? In order to finish a cycle I have to wait for the battery to be completely discharge? If let's say I never let it discharge how does that work , 2-3 times that I use the laptop without let it discharge count for one complete charge cycle?

I have a nexus 6P which also uses usb type c , can use use to charge the mac? Will it just charge it slower? It has the following input: 100-240v-50/60Hz 0,50A and output: 5v --- 3A

Thank you guys!

 

[Gav2k]

Your small usb c charge won't do anything for you.

As for cycles. 100-0 is a full cycle the same as 100-80 5 times will be a cycle.

Best advice is to cycle the battery every few weeks.

 

[Buerkletucson]

A got a couple of doubts, I use my laptop 60% of the time plugged in , I don't have a desktop machine, only my mac is my only computer, I just take out with me when I have to give a presentation at my university or I'm asking a proffesor for advice /tips ( aka 20% of the time) and the other 20% of the time I watch something on netflix with it .

If I keep my laptop plugged it the whole time , that I use it at home, does it "count" for the charging cycles? How does the whole thing with the charging cycles work? In order to finish a cycle I have to wait for the battery to be completely discharge? If let's say I never let it discharge how does that work , 2-3 times that I use the laptop without let it discharge count for one complete charge cycle?

I have a nexus 6P which also uses usb type c , can use use to charge the mac? Will it just charge it slower? It has the following input: 100-240v-50/60Hz 0,50A and output: 5v --- 3A

Thank you guys!

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201585


*****************************************************************************
Determining battery cycle count for Mac notebooks
Learn how to determine the number of cycles your Mac notebook's battery has.


About battery cycles
When you use your Mac notebook, its battery goes through charge cycles. A charge cycle happens when you use all of the battery’s power—but that doesn’t necessarily mean a single charge.

For example, you could use half of your notebook's charge in one day, and then recharge it fully. If you did the same thing the next day, it would count as one charge cycle, not two. In this way, it might take several days to complete a cycle.

Batteries have a limited amount of charge cycles before they're considered to be consumed. Once consumed, a replacement battery is recommended. You can use your battery after it reaches its maximum cycle count, but you might notice a reduction in your battery life.

Knowing how many charge cycles your battery has and how many are left can help you determine when a battery replacement is required. For best performance, replace your battery when you reach its maximum cycle count.

Follow these steps to access information about your Mac notebook battery, including its cycle count:

1. Hold the Option key and click the Apple menu. Choose System Information.
2. Under the Hardware section of the System Information window, select Power. The current cycle count is listed under the Battery Information section.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

I suggest you get a program like FruitJuice or Watts to help remind you to cycle and maintain your battery occasionally, as well as keep track of its health.

 

[chad.petree]

Your small usb c charge won't do anything for you.

As for cycles. 100-0 is a full cycle the same as 100-80 5 times will be a cycle.

Best advice is to cycle the battery every few weeks.

What do you mean by it won't do anything for me ? You mean it won't be able to charge the MacBook ?

To cycle the battery every couple of weeks ? But that happens automatically and I don't have to do anything for example one day I use 50% of the charge, then I recharge it to 100% and then I let it discharge to 50% and then the circle is gone isn't it ?

What about using the laptop while keeping it plugged in the whole time , does it still use the battery ?

 

[Gav2k]

What do you mean by it won't do anything for me ? You mean it won't be able to charge the MacBook ?

To cycle the battery every couple of weeks ? But that happens automatically and I don't have to do anything for example one day I use 50% of the charge, then I recharge it to 100% and then I let it discharge to 50% and then the circle is gone isn't it ?

What about using the laptop while keeping it plugged in the whole time , does it still uses the battery ?

The little charger will not charge your Macbook. It's to small.

If your doing a 50/50 discharge then that's fine.

Leaving it plugged in won't cycle the battery. If you do that then you need to cycle the battery once a month or so like I said.

 

[chad.petree]

The little charger will not charge your Macbook. It's to small.

If your doing a 50/50 discharge then that's fine.

Leaving it plugged in won't cycle the battery. If you do that then you need to cycle the battery once a month or so like I said.

Got ya , so do you thing letting the battery discharge to 20% , recharge it to 90% and repeat , is a pretty good approach? or should I "vary" it? Like sometimes let it discharge to 40 and then recharge it to 95% , some other time let it discharge to 15% You get my point, I'm sure, and what about charging it everyday to 100% is that "safe"?

If I do the opposite, charge the nexus 6P with the macbook charger, would that be ok? The phone should be smart enough to just take only the power it needs to charge the battery and not fry it with all that extra power, right?

 

[Gav2k]

Got ya , so do you thing letting the battery discharge to 20% , recharge it to 90% and repeat , is a pretty good approach? or should I "vary" it? Like sometimes let it discharge to 40 and then recharge it to 95% , some other time let it discharge to 15% You get my point, I'm sure, and what about charging it everyday to 100% is that "safe"?

If I do the opposite, charge the nexus 6P with the macbook charger, would that be ok? The phone should be smart enough to just take only the power it needs to charge the battery and not fry it with all that extra power, right?

No need to overthink it mate, just plug it in when you like and use it on battery when you want to. Leave the software and hardware to do the math.

As for your phone I can't answer that. Personally I wouldn't but that's up to you.

 

[chad.petree]

No need to overthink it mate, just plug it in when you like and use it on battery when you want to. Leave the software and hardware to do the math.

As for your phone I can't answer that. Personally I wouldn't but that's up to you.

"No need to overthink it mate"
You've summed up my life in a phrase hahaha , ok last question I promise, isn't it bad for the battery to having it constantly plugged in / using it while charging it because it gets even warmer? and heat is not good for a battery

 

[Newtons Apple]

When power is available use it, when not use the battery. Charge when you can. Enjoy the device rather than worry about the battery.