Leaving a laptop plugged in

[Captain Trips]

Yes what he said is true. Leaving LiIon batteries fully charged all the time is bad for their health.

Yeah, I made this mistake with my 2008 MacBook Pro 15". Then after a few years when I wanted to use the battery it was pretty much dead. Given I used it plugged in almost all the time, this wasn't a huge loss, but still not something I wanted to have happen.

But ever since then I make sure I let the battery get used and then charge it back up. And I found I really didn't need to always have my laptop plugged in.

I don't know if his is still a problem, especially if the OS can prevent the battery from being charged to 100%.

 

[Zazoh]

So much mis-information in this thread.
Heat + cycles kill batteries. It’s science folks.

Batteries - Service and Recycling

Learn about battery service and recycling for Apple devices. All rechargeable batteries need to be serviced eventually.

www.apple.com

“Your battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 1000 complete charge cycles. The one-year warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. Apple offers a battery replacement service for all MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro notebooks with built-in batteries.”

That is a discharge / recharge for daily for almost 3 years.
If you are not generating cycles, your battery will last longer. I ain’t keeping mine 3 years anyway.

 

[rui no onna]

So much mis-information in this thread.
Heat + cycles kill batteries. It’s science folks.

Batteries - Service and Recycling

Learn about battery service and recycling for Apple devices. All rechargeable batteries need to be serviced eventually.

www.apple.com

“Your battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 1000 complete charge cycles. The one-year warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. Apple offers a battery replacement service for all MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro notebooks with built-in batteries.”

Yeah heat+cycles is bad for battery. The M1 MacBooks run so cool though I have no issues propping them up on a pillow on my lap while working in bed (at least right now during winter season). I wouldn't charge it like that though since charging is the one that tends to generate a lot of heat. I'd put it on a desk or something.

That is a discharge / recharge for daily for almost 3 years.
If you are not generating cycles, your battery will last longer. I ain’t keeping mine 3 years anyway.

So basically, don't use the laptop if you want it to last.

Mind, it does work. I'm a heavy iPad user (12+ hours a day) and I did notice a reduction in onscreen time after a year of heavy use. Ever since I alternated iPads, the battery health didn't drop as quickly.

For most, probably better to just get the battery replaced or replace the laptop when the battery's no longer up to par.

 

[1240766]

Been there done that with a few laptops, leaving on as a desktop and loosing battery life...that is how I work, I have not had a desktop in a long time, just a laptop connected to my external monitor. With my newest Mac I decided to run on battery and charge when needed overnight with the power off.

 

[mwidjaya]

Been there done that with a few laptops, leaving on as a desktop and loosing battery life.

Yep, personal experience trumps all else.

I don't leave laptops fully charged all the time. Kills the battery.

Use it, charge it, rinse and repeat.

Cycles are meant to be consumed. Replace battery when its health is poor.

 

[Avenida]

I have better things to do with my life that worrying for a $100 battery... just saying.