Keeping battery always plugged in when playing?

[leman]

Guys... let's just look at it from the rational standpoint. First of all, even if totally 'mishandle' your battery (just like yours truly does), it will still last for 2-3 years or so until it becomes too used up (I am on 90% original capacity after 550 load cycles - this is a 12 month old rMBP - yes, I go through 1.5 load cycles per day). If you are very careful with your battery, then it will last maybe 3.5 years - remember, load cycles is not the only factor, age is also a very important one. Let us, for the sake of the argument, assume that you will get one year more out of your battery. A battery replacement costs $199.

If we want to keep your computer around for 4 years - I, who am mishandling the battery, will need to replace it after 2 years. So I will pay $199 for it over the course of 4 years. You, who are very careful with it, will need to replace it after 3 (or maybe even 3.5) years - so you are paying... also $199. The resale value will be the same, maybe you will get $20 more for the 45 extra minutes battery time. Even if I have to replace the battery twice, I will only need to pay $199 more then you - its $4 per month over the course of 4 years.

Now, let me ask you this question - do you really want to go through the hassle of watching your battery percentages and running around with the charger to save some $4 per month??? I think there are much smarter and more beneficial ways to save money.

 

[rMBP2013]

Not at all! You shouldn't leave it plugged in all the time, but you don't have to drain it to any particular percentage, as long as you run on battery a few hours every few days. The battery needs to be exercised regularly to stay healthy, but there is no need to get hung up on specific percentages. Read post #7 and the link in that post for more information.

Thanks for the clarification!

So basically:
a) Plug it when it's convenient.
b) Use battery if it's not.

By doing these two things, it will give the user the longest battery life.

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks for the clarification!

So basically:
a) Plug it when it's convenient.
b) Use battery if it's not.

By doing these two things, it will give the user the longest battery life.

Not to mention all the stress you'll save yourself by not watching the battery monitor constantly!

 

[zOlid]

As I stated earlier, generic sites like BatteryUniversity are not as reliable sources of information about Apple notebook batteries and Apple's proprietary charging system. You can do whatever you want, but the most reliable information about Apple notebook batteries is Apple itself. I would not recommend anyone treat their battery any different than Apple recommends. BatteryUniversity and other manufacturers did not design Apple's charging system and are not responsible to honor the warranty or AppleCare, should a battery not perform as expected. Apple has a vested interest in making sure its users get the most from their batteries, to minimize warranty claims.

Sigh....
Its like you think Apple have some super special sauce in their batteries that is different from others.
There are 3 different Lithium batteries and 1 of them is what all laptops use.
All laptops have different systems, but the batteries and the technology behind them is the same.
Iv'e posted scientific articles about it and there are just like i said hundreds of really reputable articles about it on the net. From people actually making these batteries or are developing these technologies.
The 2 I posted where just the top ones on google.

I cant be bothered with this discussion anymore, I've provided proof and articles. You have provided a short, very dumbed down Apple article about batteries, that for sure don't mention everything about what you can do to elongate battery life.
Their tips are true, and if you follow them you will probably elongate your battery life.
And its not practical removing your charger just to do short bursts of decharging, and that is why other brands have a maximum charging lock instead.

At the end of the day the best tip is just to use your battery every now and then and don't let it fully decharge.
If you just follow that you can enjoy your battery and dont have to bother thinking about it. And that is really the point of it.

 

[rMBP2013]

Guys... let's just look at it from the rational standpoint. First of all, even if totally 'mishandle' your battery (just like yours truly does), it will still last for 2-3 years or so until it becomes too used up (I am on 90% original capacity after 550 load cycles - this is a 12 month old rMBP - yes, I go through 1.5 load cycles per day). If you are very careful with your battery, then it will last maybe 3.5 years - remember, load cycles is not the only factor, age is also a very important one. Let us, for the sake of the argument, assume that you will get one year more out of your battery. A battery replacement costs $199.

If we want to keep your computer around for 4 years - I, who am mishandling the battery, will need to replace it after 2 years. So I will pay $199 for it over the course of 4 years. You, who are very careful with it, will need to replace it after 3 (or maybe even 3.5) years - so you are paying... also $199. The resale value will be the same, maybe you will get $20 more for the 45 extra minutes battery time. Even if I have to replace the battery twice, I will only need to pay $199 more then you - its $4 per month over the course of 4 years.

Now, let me ask you this question - do you really want to go through the hassle of watching your battery percentages and running around with the charger to save some $4 per month??? I think there are much smarter and more beneficial ways to save money.

Umm... after one year, you're only down 10%. Meaning it will take you 4 more years to get down to 50%, which would still mean you can use the laptop for 3+ hours even after 5 years.

No need for a battery replacement.

----------

Not to mention all the stress you'll save yourself by not watching the battery monitor constantly!

Agreed.

----------

Sigh....
Its like you think Apple have some super special sauce in their batteries that is different from others.
There are 3 different Lithium batteries and 1 of them is what all laptops use.
All laptops have different systems, but the batteries and the technology behind them is the same.
Iv'e posted scientific articles about it and there are just like i said hundreds of really reputable articles about it on the net. From people actually making these batteries or are developing these technologies.
The 2 I posted where just the top ones on google.

I cant be bothered with this discussion anymore, I've provided proof and articles. You have provided a short, very dumbed down Apple article about batteries, that for sure don't mention everything about what you can do to elongate battery life.
Their tips are true, and if you follow them you will probably elongate your battery life.
And its not practical removing your charger just to do short bursts of decharging, and that is why other brands have a maximum charging lock instead.

At the end of the day the best tip is just to use your battery every now and then and don't let it fully decharge.
If you just follow that you can enjoy your battery and dont have to bother thinking about it. And that is really the point of it.

I think you guys are both saying the exact SAME thing, and i agree with both of you.

Use the battery as needed, when needed.

It's not gonna be the first thing that will go awry (unless it's a manufacturing defect).

 

[JackieInCo]

Agree with above. Use the battery occasionally. I have a 2010 white MacBook and a 2008 black MacBook. The 2008s battery started swelling over a year ago because I just don't use it on battery power. I've been using it without a battery since then with no problems.

The white MacBooks battery swelled up several months ago. I started noticing the trackpad was harder to press and then one day I noticed the battery pushed up the trackpad breaking through the plastic surface of the palm rest. I use it in closed mode so I took a pin and punctured the plastic casing of the battery to release the gas. It's been fine ever since but of course the trackpad is useless now but as I use it in closed mode, I use a Magic Trackpad.

Unfortunately, MacBooks now have batteries that can't be removed so you really have to use the battery or else you will eventually have problems.

I bought both MacBooks used, the 2010 about two years ago and the 2008 about three years ago.

 

[leman]

Umm... after one year, you're only down 10%. Meaning it will take you 4 more years to get down to 50%, which would still mean you can use the laptop for 3+ hours even after 5 years.

No need for a battery replacement.

i dont think you can assume linearity here

 

[nateo200]

Agree with above. Use the battery occasionally. I have a 2010 white MacBook and a 2008 black MacBook. The 2008s battery started swelling over a year ago because I just don't use it on battery power. I've been using it without a battery since then with no problems.

The white MacBooks battery swelled up several months ago. I started noticing the trackpad was harder to press and then one day I noticed the battery pushed up the trackpad breaking through the plastic surface of the palm rest. I use it in closed mode so I took a pin and punctured the plastic casing of the battery to release the gas. It's been fine ever since but of course the trackpad is useless now but as I use it in closed mode, I use a Magic Trackpad.

Unfortunately, MacBooks now have batteries that can't be removed so you really have to use the battery or else you will eventually have problems.

I bought both MacBooks used, the 2010 about two years ago and the 2008 about three years ago.

That sounds like a medical problem lmao...interesting story though...don't want my battery to swell!