If I use my MacBook 10 hours a day for an entire year, how bad will my battery degrade? I feel I charge it twice a day. Ever since the pandemic, I'm basically using my Mac all hours of the day, not just a few hours here and there to browse the web like I used ot.
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Work from home causing me to use MacBook Pro for 10 hours a day
- Thread starter Kendo
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Get your employer to pay for it, if it’s used for work.
It is designed for use, especially being a pro model.
It is designed for use, especially being a pro model.
I get that. But curious if the battery capacity will drop to 80% in one year at this rate.
No one can tell you that. Batteries age differently. Apple has some general guidelines, which are good.
Batteries - Maximizing Performance
Maximize the life and lifespan of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your MacBook, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
www.apple.com
Aside from that, they state somewhere that macbook pro batteries are designed to hold up to 80% charge after 1000 cycles. It may vary based on operating conditions. It's not clear how much this is affected by sample variation, because Apple doesn't publish that.
My own experience, which doesn't necessarily match that reported by others on here, is that they commonly last 3-4 years, regardless of use. I observed this in my own machines and macbook pros and airs (and older Apple laptops before that) owned by others I know personally.
Also yeah, if you're concerned, ask your employer to pay for a machine.
If you're working from home you can keep your MacBook Pro on AC power most of the time and once in awhile use the battery. But as others have stated, perhaps your employer can reimburse you or supply you with a computer to use at home.
You can protect and prolong your battery by keeping the MBP plugged in when you are at home. I am going on six years on my original battery by using my MPB while plugged in when that option is available during the day. It basically functions as a desktop because it is attached to an external monitor as well. When I travel I use the battery a lot more often.
Here is one instance where I would keep the charger plugged in most of the time.
However...
ONCE A DAY, I would DISCONNECT the charger and let the battery run down to about 40% or so. Then I would re-connect the charger.
AND...
AT NIGHT, I would also disconnect the charger (or just unplug it from the wall outlet).
This applies whether you power down at night, or just let it sleep.
Both actions above are intended to prevent the battery from over-charging, which seems to be one of the reasons that MBP batteries start "expanding" when the charger is left "plugged in all the time"...
However...
ONCE A DAY, I would DISCONNECT the charger and let the battery run down to about 40% or so. Then I would re-connect the charger.
AND...
AT NIGHT, I would also disconnect the charger (or just unplug it from the wall outlet).
This applies whether you power down at night, or just let it sleep.
Both actions above are intended to prevent the battery from over-charging, which seems to be one of the reasons that MBP batteries start "expanding" when the charger is left "plugged in all the time"...
The Battery Health Management feature in MacOS in Catalina should address your concerns and let you leave the system plugged in. See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211094
Or tax write off?
OP: I would say use the mac how you normally would, these macs batteries degrade really quick no matter how you take care of it. For me, I never leave it charging overnight or below 20% and only leave it plugged in at 100% when I'm running programs. My 2018 15" had its keyboard (battery included) replaced in December 2019 and after 11 months it is at 89% battery health.
Just use it as normal, keep it in cool environments. I would recommend you don't let it get below 25% and try to not keep it at 100% all the time. I would frown against asking your employer, at least right now. If you are keeping it at 100%, make sure you are working while it's charging.
To summarize, just use your mac how you normally would and if you are on Catalina (I'm on Mojave) use the battery management tools. It is better to have a battery with 500 cycles and 90% health than 10 cycles and 90% health. Cycles are not bad, they are a measurement.