Letting Macbook Battery Drain Wears it Out Faster?

[siavash]

My friend was telling me that what I currently do quite a bit (which is use my laptop without its charger until it's basically at like 5% and then goes into hibernation mode) shortens its lifespan quite a bit. Is there any truth to this?

 

[chscag]

Yes, it's true. The more charge - recharge cycles you put the battery through, the shorter its life will be. If you use the machine at home, keep it plugged into the AC mains. Use it on battery when you need to - when traveling, at Starbucks, in class, etc. Take a look at this guide:

http://guides.macrumors.com/Laptop_Battery_Guide

Regards.

 

[Bman]

Yes its very much true...its recommended you put it through one battery cycle a month (which is wat you were doing to it...just way too often)

 

[RONE]

Yup, if you can keep your laptop plugged in, do it. My laptop has recently become a desktop machine, so I have iCal send me an email once a month to remind me to fully discharge my battery.

 

[DrEwTiMe42o]

I was reading a couple other posts about this because i was curious about what the best way to maintain these batteries actually is.

A couple people told me that if i know im using he laptop at a "Home" environment then i should just take the batter totally out of the machine and use straight AC power.

Is there any truth to this or??

 

[JMC]

Yes, it's true. The more charge - recharge cycles you put the battery through, the shorter its life will be. If you use the machine at home, keep it plugged into the AC mains. Use it on battery when you need to - when traveling, at Starbucks, in class, etc. Take a look at this guide:

http://guides.macrumors.com/Laptop_Battery_Guide

Regards.

Some Starbucks let you plug in now.

(Couldn't resist this :

"A couple people told me that if i know im using he laptop at a "Home" environment then i should just take the batter totally out of the machine and use straight AC power."

Yup - always remove all the batter from the machine. It doesn't go well with AC power [sorry!]

)

 

[BuickGN]

Hi, I'm kinda new here, and I was just wondering what the difference if any is between the mag charger thing, and the ac power cord? Which should I use when I am just using it as a desktop (90% of the time)?
Thanks, great site, nice ppl here

 

[skaheadpunk]

Hi, I'm kinda new here, and I was just wondering what the difference if any is between the mag charger thing, and the ac power cord? Which should I use when I am just using it as a desktop (90% of the time)?
Thanks, great site, nice ppl here

You have more than one power adaptor?

 

[BuickGN]

Ok, showing my noobness. I was unaware that the ac power cord merely extends the maglock cord thing. I thought there were two hookups on the macbook, and the maglock was for battery charging, and the ac cord was for running the comp sans battery.

Seems like it would have been WAY easier to just make the maglock cord longer!? or am I missing something here?

 

[pianodavid]

Batteries are finnicky buggers! LiPo Batt.'s need to be used less to last longer... but used to maintain charge capacity.. the key here (as always) is moderation. Don't leave it at 0% for two months (using only AC) but don't never discharge it either [that guide isn't loading so i can't comment on it, but i'm guessing its got good info].

If you use the laptop w/o the battery in - make sure nobody ever touches that cord... you'll loose all your non-saved data! not a good idea in my opinion. if your laptop is used as a dsktop then consider the battery one of the longest-lasting/cheapest APS's on the market! Power outage? What power outage?!

I think BuickGN is talking about how the the G4's and earlier (possibly early macbooks?) came with a power blolck with two ac inputs if you will. the stupid little prongs that flip out, and about a 6' cord like all other computers in the world. Good thing is the AC cord fits all apple chargers that have the removable prongs (e.g. airport express even!).

my personal pref: why would you want to not reach a plug? but i'm a Univ student and often in study rooms/libraries where the plugs are few/far apart... just me tho.

I'm lookin at my apt now and hey! The power situation is even worse, the plugs are few and very far apart too! There's none close enough to reach my couch without using the the 'extension' instead of the prongs.