When to connect power adapter?

[MooSRI850]

This may seem like a silly question to some, but I honestly have no clue on when to use battery power or when to plug in the power adapter. I normally charge my laptop to 100% then unplug it and use battery power until it gets to about 5%. However, a friend recently suggested that I plug my Macbook in when I use it while I'm working and to only use the battery when I can't plug it in.

What's the best way to preserve battery and get the most life out of my Macbook? Thanks.

 

[S.SubZero]

Plug in the charger when you want to add charge to your battery.

 

[RadDave]

This may seem like a silly question to some, but I honestly have no clue on when to use battery power or when to plug in the power adapter. I normally charge my laptop to 100% then unplug it and use battery power until it gets to about 5%. However, a friend recently suggested that I plug my Macbook in when I use it while I'm working and to only use the battery when I can't plug it in.

What's the best way to preserve battery and get the most life out of my Macbook? Thanks.

Hi MooSR - this is an oft asked question in the forum and plenty of threads are available on the topic - just three that I've been in:

Link 1 - Link 2 - Link 3

For myself, my MBPro usually sits next to my den chair and is plugged in nearly all of the time - about once a month, I allow the battery to fully discharge, i.e. < 10%, and then recharge (which would be a complete cycle) - please look @ the links (and links within) and post back further questions. Dave

 

[pigoo3]

However, a friend recently suggested that I plug my Macbook in when I use it while I'm working and to only use the battery when I can't plug it in.

Yeyyyy. Smart friend!!!

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

Yeyyyy. Smart friend!!!

- Nick

And hopefully running for election!!! Some people like that seem to be needed.

 

[RadDave]

Yeyyyy. Smart friend!!!

- Nick

And hopefully running for election!!! Some people like that seem to be needed.

LOL! Regardless of all of the information in the links that I provided, basically what I do, i.e. keep it plugged until I need to use the laptop on the porch when our cleaning service comes twice a month! Dave

 

[Ember1205]

The prevailing wisdom of today is that LiIon batteries are best cared-for when the charge is NOT allowed to dissipate "too deeply" and they are kept from getting overly warm. Running the charge way down before charging it back up will cause a deeper discharge and will increase the temps a bit because of the act of charging. So, keeping it plugged in as much as possible is in your battery's best interest for health's sake.