Plugged in most of the time....

[LedZepp81]

Hey All,

I got what might be a dumb question but I have just been wondering. Most of the time when using my new MBP I always have an outlet to plug it into, like when working at my desk. Is it bad on the battery in the long run to always have it plugged in when using? When the time comes to run off the battery will that cause it to have less hours of use?

Thanks

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

If you always have it plugged in the cells in the battery won't be exercised and you will eventually lose capacity. Apple recommends calibrating your battery once a month or every 6 weeks or so by running it dry until the laptop goes to sleep and then charging it full again. This way you keep the juices running and you will get the best performance.

 

[StealthRider]

Every three or so days, pull it off the AC power and let it run through 25-50% or so of a full cycle. I do this to 25%, and I'm at 98% battery health since August; with mostly tethered use but a few "road warrior" sessions.

 

[LedZepp81]

Ok, I will have to make sure I do that.
Thanks for the quick reply

 

[richard.mac]

its fine to leave it plugged in sometimes but not all the time as the battery 'trickle charges' i.e. from 100% to 95% then back to 100% again over a certain period of time (thats why sometimes the charge is not 100%).

but as Apple says and Jiddick above, recalibrate every month or so to keep the battery healthy.

when you are using the battery dont drain it every time. lithium batteries like to remain above 50% and draining them all the time is what kills the battery over time. i think Apple used the analogy of a computer using the notebook on the way to work then plugging it in at work.

for more info www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

 

[spork183]

Just an aside on the battery health: Any truth to the "pop the battery in the freezer overnight, let it sit to room temp, and charge it up" school of thought?

Sorry for veering slightly off topic...

 

[JoshLV]

Good to know. I was going to make a thread about this.

 

[JoshLV]

One more question- it says that the minimum operating temperature is 50 degrees. My MBP never gets to 50. Right now it's at 31 and within an hour or two from now it will be 45ish. Does everyone get above 50?

 

[creator2456]

One more question- it says that the minimum operating temperature is 50 degrees. My MBP never gets to 50. Right now it's at 31 and within an hour or two from now it will be 45ish. Does everyone get above 50?

Check the F and C of your numbers and report back.