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Here's a new question for you: Where should i put my charger?

M

macdudesir

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 16, 2011
363
84
Blacksburg, VA
So I just got my Macbook Air yesterday, and i already have 4 cycles on the battery...I have my charger for my MBA set up in my "electronics room" with my iMac and my xbox and all of my PC's. So whenever the battery died, i just took it up there, plugged it in, but i didn't use it because i have my iMac up there right next to it. So is this maybe not the most efficient place to put my charger? I don't want to put an unnecessary strain on the battery...(yes GGJ i have read the battery FAQ :rolleyes: )
 
macdudesir said:
So I just got my Macbook Air yesterday, and i already have 4 cycles on the battery...I have my charger for my MBA set up in my "electronics room" with my iMac and my xbox and all of my PC's. So whenever the battery died, i just took it up there, plugged it in, but i didn't use it because i have my iMac up there right next to it. So is this maybe not the most efficient place to put my charger? I don't want to put an unnecessary strain on the battery...(yes GGJ i have read the battery FAQ :rolleyes: )
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You can put your charger wherever you like, or take it with you when you move around. There is no right or wrong place to put the charger. If you read the FAQ, you would know that you're not putting any strain on the battery by using it on battery power or on AC power.
 
Just put it in the socket and put the cable into the MBA whenever you feel save.
And the FAQ should have also told you to use the battery and power adapter to its optimum.

Or you could just use it. It doesn't really matter.
 
GGJstudios said:
You can put your charger wherever you like, or take it with you when you move around. There is no right or wrong place to put the charger. If you read the FAQ, you would know that you're not putting any strain on the battery by using it on battery power or on AC power.
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I mean putting very many cycles on it. The FAQ says it will hold 80% at 1000 cycles...So the more cycles i put on it, the faster it will lose charge.
 
macdudesir said:
I mean putting very many cycles on it. The FAQ says it will hold 80% at 1000 cycles...So the more cycles i put on it, the faster it will lose charge.
Click to expand...
You can use around a cycle a day and not hit 1000 cycles for close to 3 years. Even if it drops below 80%, the battery is still useable. It doesn't die when you reach 79% or 1001 cycles. Just run on battery when you need to and plug it in whenever you can. As long as you're not running on AC power all the time, there's nothing to worry about.... as it says in the Battery FAQ.
 
macdudesir said:
I mean putting very many cycles on it. The FAQ says it will hold 80% at 1000 cycles...So the more cycles i put on it, the faster it will lose charge.
Click to expand...

Thus the more often you use it on battery, especially when you could just connect it to the charger, the more cycles you will get.
You do understand what a cycle is though, don't you?
Trivialised example: One cycle is roughly worth four hours of charge, thus you have four thousand hours of power before you hit 1000 cycles. That would mean you could use it for 24 hours on battery for almost half a year. If you use your Mac for six hours, you get two years out of it, just before you hit that cycle count. Thus using it via the power adapter, you can prolong that count.
 
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simsaladimbamba said:
Thus the more often you use it on battery, especially when you could just connect it to the charger, the more cycles you will get.
You do understand what a cycle is though, don't you?
One cycle is roughly worth four hours of charge, thus you have four thousand hours of power before you hit 1000 cycles. That would mean you use it four 24 hours on battery for almost half a year. If you use your Mac for six hours, you get two years out of it, just before you hit that cycle count. Thus using it via the power adapter, you can prolong that count.
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Ok, thank you very much. I think ill just move the power adapter sometimes when i plan to be using it a lot. Thanks again to everyone for their help.

Edit: I just devised a great solution...my extension cord (the one that comes with every mac) is upstairs in the Electronics room and since i can just remove the extension cord and put the straight plug back in (on the brick) easily, ill just take that around sometimes.

Just felt like sharing in case anyone else is having the same dilemma.
 
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I have a total of 5 Apple power adapters located in different areas that I normally use my Macs. Get the Apple 85W one in case you get a 15" or 17" MBP in the future.
 
VMMan said:
I have a total of 5 Apple power adapters located in different areas that I normally use my Macs. Get the Apple 85W one in case you get a 15" or 17" MBP in the future.
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I was thinking about doing that too...but money is tight right now...how much do those cost?
 
macdudesir said:
I was thinking about doing that too...but money is tight right now...how much do those cost?
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I think J&R is good if they don't charge sales tax for your state. Amazon used to be good, but they no longer sell the Apple 85W adapters. Only third party merchants sell them and in "bulk packaging" for reduced prices on Amazon marketplace. There are other places that will sell third party refurbs for a lot less than Apples $79.
 
I have two chargers. The one which came with laptop which I keep home and, when travel, bring with me; and a spare one I bought which I keep in the office. So when I need to bring the laptop with me @office I don't have to carry it, and eventually forget it.
The one @home stays always connect into a drawer enclosure with only the charging cable cropping out. In the drawer I have a multiple plug with the laptop charger, an iPhone one, as well as one for another cell phone. I was charging my Palm there too when still using it. And only the three cables are around. I always charge all my electronic devices in the same place for sake of comfort, and don't waste time searching for forgotten adaptors...
 
Now ....... where do I put my thumb? I don't want to break it when I sit down (even though I have 2). :eek:
 
TPadden said:
Now ....... where do I put my thumb? I don't want to break it when I sit down (even though I have 2). :eek:
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He's making light of a situation as you are far too much overthinking it......the friggin battery and the MBA will outlive you and your use for it.....just go have fun..
 
macdudesir said:
Lol, i know what he was saying. :rolleyes: I do tend to over think things.
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All enthusiasts tend to over think every aspect of some hobby or toy they enjoy.

That's why I frequent these forums so much -- for discussions with like-minded enthusiasts. I could do without the flame wars though.
 
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