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jaws01

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 3, 2006
65
0
I use my macbook alot at work, and its always near a power outlet. Do you guys think its safe to leave it plugged in all day and will it over charge my battery?
 

robbieduncan

Moderator emeritus
Jul 24, 2002
25,611
893
Harrogate
It won't over charge you battery but you should run on battery power at least some of the time as this keeps the battery in good condition. In addition try and run the battery right down once a month.
 

dpaanlka

macrumors 601
Nov 16, 2004
4,869
34
Illinois
I use my macbook alot at work, and its always near a power outlet. Do you guys think its safe to leave it plugged in all day and will it over charge my battery?

You're supposed to leave it plugged in at all times possible.

You cannot "over charge" a MacBook battery - it knows when it is fully charged and stops charging.

The more you use your battery, the less charge it will hold over time. This is why old laptops often have 30 minutes or less battery time.

It won't over charge you battery but you should run on battery power at least some of the time as this keeps the battery in good condition. In addition try and run the battery right down once a month.

I'm not so sure about that. The goal of running the battery down is to negate any "memory effect" in the battery - which only happens when you frequently use the battery but not to it's full capacity. So in other words, if you never do your first suggestion, you'll never have to do your second. I think anyway...
 

miniConvert

macrumors 68040
You're supposed to leave it plugged in at all times possible.

You cannot "over charge" a MacBook battery - it knows when it is fully charged and stops charging.

The more you use your battery, the less charge it will hold over time. This is why old laptops often have 30 minutes or less battery time.



I'm not so sure about that. The goal of running the battery down is to negate any "memory effect" in the battery - which only happens when you frequently use the battery but not to it's full capacity. So in other words, if you never do your first suggestion, you'll never have to do your second. I think anyway...
Mhm....

AFAIK, batteries of this type are time-limited. They start to deteriorate the day they leave the factory.

There is no memory effect present in these batteries, however sometimes running them completely flat can help keep smart batteries calliberated so they don't think they're running out of power before they actually are.

Wikipedia has lenghthy information on battery care.

I don't think mains power or lack of it will make massive differences either way.
 

jaws01

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 3, 2006
65
0
Thanks for the input guys!

Its not like I never use the battery, just when I am at work. When I am at home I use the battery mainly. I like to use my MB in the living room and kitchen.
 

dpaanlka

macrumors 601
Nov 16, 2004
4,869
34
Illinois
Mhm....

AFAIK, batteries of this type are time-limited. They start to deteriorate the day they leave the factory.

There is no memory effect present in these batteries, however sometimes running them completely flat can help keep smart batteries calliberated so they don't think they're running out of power before they actually are.

Wikipedia has lenghthy information on battery care.

I don't think mains power or lack of it will make massive differences either way.

Maybe I'm just too old school with all this NiMH PowerBooks lying around.
 

Transeau

macrumors 6502a
Jan 18, 2005
869
13
Alta Loma, CA
Mhm....

AFAIK, batteries of this type are time-limited. They start to deteriorate the day they leave the factory.

There is no memory effect present in these batteries, however sometimes running them completely flat can help keep smart batteries calliberated so they don't think they're running out of power before they actually are.

Wikipedia has lenghthy information on battery care.

I don't think mains power or lack of it will make massive differences either way.

MiniConvert is correct here.
There is no true "memory effect" in these batteries. Running it all the down, until the notebook goes to sleep, then running it down more (Like with a USB light or fan) to kill it will only help to get an accurate measure of runtime. With every month of life, the battery will loose a few mA of capacity. This is just the part of the chemical reaction in the cells. However, with each charge, this reaction does speed up.
 

dpaanlka

macrumors 601
Nov 16, 2004
4,869
34
Illinois
MiniConvert is correct here.
There is no true "memory effect" in these batteries. Running it all the down, until the notebook goes to sleep, then running it down more (Like with a USB light or fan) to kill it will only help to get an accurate measure of runtime. With every month of life, the battery will loose a few mA of capacity. This is just the part of the chemical reaction in the cells. However, with each charge, this reaction does speed up.

So in conclusion, best to leave in plugged in as much as possible, save for a once-per-month complete run-down?
 

JAT

macrumors 603
Dec 31, 2001
6,473
124
Mpls, MN
Maybe I'm just too old school with all this NiMH PowerBooks lying around.

NiMH should be very similar to Lithium, except probably last longer. Sounds more like you are used to old, old school NiCd. My PB 165c (~16 years old) has no battery power left. Pulling the plug on that baby is like a light switch.
 

dpaanlka

macrumors 601
Nov 16, 2004
4,869
34
Illinois
NiMH should be very similar to Lithium, except probably last longer. Sounds more like you are used to old, old school NiCd. My PB 165c (~16 years old) has no battery power left. Pulling the plug on that baby is like a light switch.

I have plenty of NiMH systems that are like that too. And some LiIon systems that are very close.
 

Better2bRed

macrumors newbie
Oct 10, 2006
21
0
Peterborough, nr London
Would using a MB charger on a MBP do any harm

The MB and MBP chargers have different wattage. I have just got my MBP and was hoping to leave one charger at work and the other at home. However, I am concerned the different wattage could cause damage to my MBP or its battery.

I have asked elsewhere but have had no joy.

Many thanks
 

ipaqowner

macrumors regular
Sep 16, 2006
119
11
The MB and MBP chargers have different wattage. I have just got my MBP and was hoping to leave one charger at work and the other at home. However, I am concerned the different wattage could cause damage to my MBP or its battery.

I have asked elsewhere but have had no joy.

Many thanks

It's not so much the "wattage" as the rated output voltage/current of the chargers that matter...report back with the outputs marked on the chargers and I'll keep you right.
 
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