Is it bad to leave your MB plugged in 24/7?

[-Josh-]

Hey everyone,
Will it ruin your laptop, or battery, if you leave it plugged in most of the time?

Thanks,

Josh

 

[Anorak]

http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

 

[-Josh-]

http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

Thanks, but what does this mean?

"Apple recommends charging and discharging its battery at least once per month."



Does it mean, drain the battery then fully charge it?

 

[bigandy]

Does it mean, drain the battery then fully charge it?

yes.

alternatively, drop it to 50% charge and store it away for three months, discharge it, charge, drop back to 50% and store again.

 

[anirban]

Hey everyone,
Will it ruin your laptop, or battery, if you leave it plugged in most of the time?

Thanks,

Josh

It may decrease the life, or the capacity of the battery, but as far as I know, it will not screw up your laptop. My suggestion: let the battery drain off at least once a week.

 

[-Josh-]

yes.

alternatively, drop it to 50% charge and store it away for three months, discharge it, charge, drop back to 50% and store again.

I can' t not use my pc for 6 months. 🙁 So would just dropping the life and recharging do just as good?

 

[anirban]

yes.

alternatively, drop it to 50% charge and store it away for three months, discharge it, charge, drop back to 50% and store again.

I can' t not use my pc for 6 months. 🙁 So would just dropping the life and recharging do just as good?

I think he meant just take the battery out and run the notebook off the AC adapter.

 

[bigandy]

I think he meant just take the battery out and run the notebook off the AC adapter.

yeah, i did. i thought that bit would be obvious 😉

 

[coocooforcocoap]

I think he meant just take the battery out and run the notebook off the AC adapter.

i read somewhere here on this forum that is not a good idea, as the system uses the battery even when its plugged in...

 

[Foxglove9]

Thanks, but what does this mean?
"Apple recommends charging and discharging its battery at least once per month."
Does it mean, drain the battery then fully charge it?

Yeah so your cycle count goes up and Apple gets to sell you a new battery sooner 😀

I leave my MB plugged in most of the time, 24/7. I do plan on draining the battery once a month, just a known fact it will keep the batteries charge fresh and strong.

However either way you choose you can't harm your laptop or battery. It's just a matter of what's the most life you can get out of the battery. Worst case you have to buy a new battery in a year. That's what Applecare is for.

Oh and don't run it w/o a battery at all, you will notice a decrease in performance, not to mention if your power-cord accidently pulls out your machine will shut down. Plus an idle battery is not good at all.

 

[Ariez]

I rarely let the battery die, and only have about 45 load cycles in about a year and its in perfect shape.