High Power Mode and Battery Life Effect

[hopkins802]

Hey all,

I use my M1 Max 64GB plugged in on High Power mode 90% of the time...I figure, why not get the most out of it? I'm curious if I should be careful about two things.

1.) ALWAYS having the M1 plugged in while in use. Should I 100% discharge and charge it every now and then? Or is it okay to constantly have it charging?

2.) Does High Power mode degrade the processor, RAM, SSD or battery quicker over time?

 

[cp1160]

I don't have empirical evidence yet and my 16" M1 Max just arrived DOA so I cannot test and review, but I would not use that mode for regular usage. It changes CPU draw, generates more heat, and will have fans run under load more in my way of thinking. I will hope to exchange mine and have better information.

 

[diamond.g]

I don't have empirical evidence yet and my 16" M1 Max just arrived DOA so I cannot test and review, but I would not use that mode for regular usage. It changes CPU draw, generates more heat, and will have fans run under load more in my way of thinking. I will hope to exchange mine and have better information.

Has anyone actually shown that the high power mode does something?

 

[Technerd108]

No you should not discharge to -100% it is not good for the battery. Lithium ion is different and likes to be in a 40-80% range and the Mac has options if you keep it plugged in all the time.

High Power Mode is similar like high performance mode in Windows which ramps up the frequency and fans to finish tasks sooner. It can use more power. I do not see how it would affect your hardware unless you were blocking the fans or vents. Even using high power mode it is a dynamic range and the processor will scale up and down to meet load. It is just more aggressive.

 

[JPack]

1.) ALWAYS having the M1 plugged in while in use. Should I 100% discharge and charge it every now and then? Or is it okay to constantly have it charging?

You don't need to discharge it. After a few weeks plugged in, MacBook will automatically put battery charging on hold somewhere between 80-90%.

2.) Does High Power mode degrade the processor, RAM, SSD or battery quicker over time?

No, it allows the fans to run at a higher speed which means more noise. This increased thermal capacity means high clocks can be maintained.