Does running a MBP on power supply degrade the battery over time?

[motomotomoto]

Just curious if using the MBP while plugged in at your desk continues to put normal wear on the battery?

You would think that once the battery is fully charged the best way to extend the life of the battery would be for the computer to power itself directly from the power supply and bypass the battery as a power source.

Does anyone know if it continues to degrade the battery while you use the MBP while plugged in?

 

[Gnattu]

Apple now has a function called "optimized battery charging" that will hold your charge. This works well for me and it does do the trick most of the time, but there are reports that it does nothing, if that is the case for you, you'd better use a third party software to manually control the charge behavior if you really cares about the wearing.

 

[white7561]

Yes. All batteries degrade when charged to 100% for an extended amount of time. That's why Apple's optimize battery feature thingy would try to learn your usage and limit it to 80% when you're likely to plugging it in for an extended amount of time

I would just get AlDente. Set myself the max percentage and forget about it. If you're always on dock. I suggest setting it to 50% is the best . But if you're like me. Set it to 75-80% limit Everytime. And when you're about to go etc just click top up (if you're using the pro version) or just disable the limit. To charge it to 100% so you can use all the capacity without the drawbacks of having 100% battery all the time while at home or work docked and charging

 

[branchus]

Yes. All batteries degrade when charged to 100% for an extended amount of time. That's why Apple's optimize battery feature thingy would try to learn your usage and limit it to 80% when you're likely to plugging it in for an extended amount of time

I would just get AlDente. Set myself the max percentage and forget about it. If you're always on dock. I suggest setting it to 50% is the best . But if you're like me. Set it to 75-80% limit Everytime. And when you're about to go etc just click top up (if you're using the pro version) or just disable the limit. To charge it to 100% so you can use all the capacity without the drawbacks of having 100% battery all the time while at home or work docked and charging

I did some research on this too. I read AlDente modify the SMC, so it can result in a disturbed battery calibration, and requires regular battery calibration. Is this true?

 

[white7561]

I did some research on this too. I read AlDente modify the SMC, so it can result in a disturbed battery calibration, and requires regular battery calibration. Is this true?

I mean even if you're using Apple's 80% limit all the time . Battery should need a calibration every month or so. That's the same with 100% at all time. That's why it's recommended to do the calibration every month or so.

 

[white7561]

Although if you are not plugging it 100% of the time. AKA every few days you use it on battery, or use the top up the battery to 100% every few days. It shouldn't really affect the calibration IMO

My experience and knowledge about calibration needed for newer devices is that it's only needed if you are using it on the same percentage for a long time. Like when charging to 100% and leaving it there for extended amount of time

But if you want to be sure. You can calibrate it every month or so.

 

[zarathu]

Battery Optimization only works when you don’t have it on the charger 24/7. Polymer lithium batteries generally do best between 20% and 80% charge. If you keep it on the charge all the time it benefits taking it off once a month and running it down to 15% to get the electrons in the battery moving around a bit.

Regardless all Lithium batteries lose their charging ability at about 1% per month. This is why you have to replace your car battery every 3 years even though your car keeps it in a constant state. So 88% at the end of the first year is pretty standard. Apple will replace the battery for you if you get to 80% after a year.

 

[motomotomoto]

thanks for all the responses! I am still curious on the fundamental question of if the computer is technically drawing power from the battery when it is running while plugged in?

 

[Fishrrman]

My advice is to not leave it plugged into the charger all the time.

At least 3 times a week, take if OFF charge, and "exercise" the battery. Let it run down to around 40-45%, then re-connect the charger.

At night (whether you power down or just put it to sleep):
UNPLUG the charger from the wall outlet.
Plug it back in, in the morning.
(doing this to the charger minimizes wear-and-tear to the USB/MagSafe port).

 

[motomotomoto]

My advice is to not leave it plugged into the charger all the time.

At least 3 times a week, take if OFF charge, and "exercise" the battery. Let it run down to around 40-45%, then re-connect the charger.

At night (whether you power down or just put it to sleep):
UNPLUG the charger from the wall outlet.
Plug it back in, in the morning.
(doing this to the charger minimizes wear-and-tear to the USB/MagSafe port).

Why?

 

[tmoerel]

 

[J.Gallardo]

Anyone remembers those old MacBooks with unplugging batteries? I even had a replacement one; and could check charge on the battery itself!
I understand we all gain with progress… but it’s strange how new problems arise.
I suppose it wouldn’t be too difficult to electronically implement a by-pass behavior, but seems not be the case. Now, batteries are always working (wasting), desired or not. ?

 

[motomotomoto]

Anyone remembers those old MacBooks with unplugging batteries? I even had a replacement one; and could check charge on the battery itself!
I understand we all gain with progress… but it’s strange how new problems arise.
I suppose it wouldn’t be too difficult to electronically implement a by-pass behavior, but seems not be the case. Now, batteries are always working (wasting), desired or not. ?

Finally an answer to the quesiton! would be nice if there was a by-pass wouldn't it!