Significance of Battery Cycle Count?

[marc55]

What really is the Significance of the Battery Cycle Count, other than the magical 1000 number that Apple deems a battery consumed?

My mid-2104 15" MBP is at 156 cycles since I purchased it in Late November 2015, and Battery Health is at Current Max of 7998 mAh vs an Original Max of 8440 mAh.

But my real question is other than Apple's 1000 end of life meter, is there really any significance/concern in the cycle count number? I mean, wouldn't the battery health degrade even if you had your MBP on a desk, and never unplugged it, and only had a cycle count of say 5 or 10?

Insight appreciated; thank you
m

 

[Fancuku]

Having a low cycle count looks good when you are selling your Macs

 

[Weaselboy]

I mean, wouldn't the battery health degrade even if you had your MBP on a desk, and never unplugged it, and only had a cycle count of say 5 or 10?

Yes... but theoretically, not as fast. The battery is a consumable item like tires on your car. The more it is used, the more cycles are consumed.

Apple has some good info at these links that talk about the cycle business a little.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1446

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