Is it better to keep M1 Macbook plugged in most of the time?

[yustas]

I've seen some claims that to extend battery life, it's better to have it plugged in all the time and only unplug it when not in use. Why? Because Li-ion batteries have a certain number of full charge cycles, so if it's plugged in most of the time, it minimizes the number of charge cycles.

It seems to make sense, but I have a feeling that it might not be as simple as that. Why wouldn't Apple say that if it were true? Is there a consensus on this?

 

[ondioline]

Keeping a battery at 100% all the time actually wears it down. However, if you keep it plugged in all the time MacOS will automatically manage the charge now, so it really doesn't make a difference.

 

[yustas]

Keeping a battery at 100% all the time actually wears it down. However, if you keep it plugged in all the time MacOS will automatically manage the charge now, so it really doesn't make a difference.

That's interesting. Do you keep it plugged in all the time?

 

[hkoster1]

Interesting indeed!

I use my M1Pro MBP mostly in clamshell mode connected to an LG 4K UltraFine display that also charges the MBP. Usually, System Report > Power shows the battery near 100% and a cycle count of 2. Earlier today I checked and it said 77% and not charging. My first reaction was that the TB3 cable to the LG display had to be reseated, and yes that put charging mode back on.

Then I read your post, and from it I gather that macOS manages the cycle count by letting the battery draw down to 77% once in a while. If that is true then no more worries about being (nearly) always connected to charging power.

 

[yustas]

Interesting indeed!

I use my M1Pro MBP mostly in clamshell mode connected to an LG 4K UltraFine display that also charges the MBP.

Does your M1Pro get warm while plugged in?

 

[white7561]

Apple's optimize battery thingy isn't really good IMO since it's not dependable. Usually it works sometimes it doesn't. I just use AlDente. It works always and yeah. If you want maximum lifespan choose 50% (every laptop manufacturer that provides the option to limit battery percentage to increase life has a 50% limit) if you want a balance between time to charge when needed and lifetime of the battery. Just do 75% or 80% like Apple uses.

If you're docking it 24/7 . Just do 50% IMO. And as always with these things since it means that the percentage isn't going anywhere. You might need to calibrate it every month so that the fuel gauge has an accurate idea of the battery capacity. I heard that it's okay to just do it by charging to 100% then draining to 15% and then fully charging it again. Then you can drain it back to your desired percentage

 

[yustas]

I've seen Apple's battery page, but it isn't clear what to do with different use scenarios. It would be so much easier if Apple could just clearly explain what the charging routine should be if the laptop is plugged in most of the time with an external display vs. not using an external display.

I thought the easy solution would be to use AlDente, but some say that it might not be a good idea, because if there's a bug in the code (not saying there's a bug now), it might screw up the battery. The battery calibration seems a little tricky. Surely Apple knows what the best thing to do is. Why not just tell us?

 

[MBAir2010]

I've seen Apple's battery page, but it isn't clear what to do with different use scenarios.

I was thinking the same thing when i saw your headline.

seems to me that  will advice only so they can make more money.
but Dell never gave any advice after selling an XPS 13" notebook as well.
what a bunch of devious mofos they are!

 

[Fishrrman]

NO!

Don't leave it plugged in "all the time".

Exercise the battery by disconnecting the MB from charge 3 or 4 times a week.
Let the battery go down to around 40-45%, then reconnect the charger.

I'd also suggest that you pull the charger plug out of the wall outlet each night.
Do this whether you power off for the night, or just let it sleep at night.
Plug the charger back in, in the morning.

My opinion only.
Others will disagree.
Some may disagree vehemently.

 

[yustas]

I'd also suggest that you pull the charger plug out of the wall outlet each night.

Even if the laptop is not plugged in? If yes, I would be interested to know why.

 

[Homy]

Even if the laptop is not plugged in? If yes, I would be interested to know why.

Yes, even a charger connected to the wall, but not connected to a device could be a fire hazard by itself in the long term. Chargers should never be plugged in without supervision. A friend of mine came home to a burned/melted iphone charger connected to the wall. Don't know if it was an original or cheap copy but there is always a risk. Luckily no fire was started.

https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/electrical-items/batteries-and-chargers/

 

[white7561]

I've seen Apple's battery page, but it isn't clear what to do with different use scenarios. It would be so much easier if Apple could just clearly explain what the charging routine should be if the laptop is plugged in most of the time with an external display vs. not using an external display.

I thought the easy solution would be to use AlDente, but some say that it might not be a good idea, because if there's a bug in the code (not saying there's a bug now), it might screw up the battery. The battery calibration seems a little tricky. Surely Apple knows what the best thing to do is. Why not just tell us?

AlDente shouldn't be able to do anything. It either pauses the charging or let it charge like usual. That's it.

And in terms of Apple giving info when being plugged all the time . Well we already know. Apple implemented the Optimize battery option to help preserve battery health when you're just docking it or using it charging for an extended amount of time.

And it's also not unusual for us to limit the battery percentage to preserve capacity since other manufacturer has been providing that exact option for years now and there are evidence that shows that cells that are left on a lower or higher voltages will lead to more capacity loss than say 50% . That's why you always hear for Lion batteries to be charged to only 50% if you want to store it for a long time. And it's also why you usually see electronics with Lion batteries having about 40-60% of capacity on first boot

On another note. The battery itself. Does not need calibration. We do the calibration every month (considering you're plugging the laptop 24/7 etc) to calibrate. The fuel gauge. Not the battery itself. Why? Because the fuel gauge is the thing that keeps track and converts voltage levels etc to percentage number. That's why we always want to calibrate it every month or so by draining it to about 15% and full usually so the fuel gauge can have an idea of what percentage a certain voltage etc (nowadays it's usually more accurate than just direct voltage to percentage since they usually check the coulomb too etc)

 

[arche3]

You don't need aldente. I've used 2 2019 machines always plugged in and it worked fine. My new 16 will ne used the same way. When need to be off charger i take it off.