Power consumption: what uses more?

[adiosk8]

what would use more power....letting a macbook pro drain all the way and then plug it in and keep it on that cycle, or leaving it plugged in the whole time and keeping a 100% charge?

 

[Queso]

I would guess draining and charging the battery, as that gives out more heat.

 

[panoz7]

Draining and charging the battery - batteries aren't 100% efficient at storing power so there's going to be a loss. The computer can't use less power then when it's running at a 100% charge. Additionally the draining and recharging cycle will unnecessarily shorten the life of the battery.