Help newbie clear battery questions :(

[Macdudee]

Hi! I've just got my new macbook pro 13" 2.53 Ghz and 4 gigas RAM and I this goes faster than the speed of light!. I really want this notebook to last as my last (windows) one couldn't even be like 20 min without the charger. I've read the guide on the forum about the batterys and I have a couple of questions. A cycle is when the battery is fully drained and I recharge it right? So if for example I start charging when it's at 80%, I won't complete a cycle right?
I will be going to college in September, but throughout the whole month of August I will be using the mbp in my room, so the best thing is to connect it to the current whenever I can right? I read that it's also good to use the battery around half an hour a day to keep the electrons moving and all that. Is that good?
THanks

 

[geoffreak]

A cycle is anytime your battery has used 100% of charge, be it one complete drain or ten 100% to 90% drains.

More cycles are good for your battery and Apple even recommends more. At a minimum you should go through one cycle a month.

Don't let your battery drain completely whenever possible (except when calibrating). This is very bad for the battery's health.

Don't forget that a computer is meant to be used, not preserved. If you want to use it away from a charger, go for it!

Apple's battery coverage is one year or 300 cycles, whichever comes first. If your battery drops below 80% health within that time frame, your battery will be replaced. Use Coconut Battery to view your battery's health.

Battery Calibration

 

[adamfishercox]

Don't worry too much about it, worst case scenario you get a new battery. I'm not sure what a cycle is, I was under the impression that it is a full drain and recharge but I have many more cycles on my battery than I do full drains.

EDIT: Makes sense, geofffreak

 

[Macdudee]

Thanks Geo for clearing what a cycle means. But do you think leaving it connected to the current and using the battery for a little while in the day is a good way to mantain the battery?

 

[adamfishercox]

Don't worry about it, just use it as you need it. Batteries are meant to power your computer use, your computer use shouldn't be built around keeping your battery healthy.