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kofman13

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 6, 2009
547
165
Hi all. im a music producer. I have M1 Mac mini base model in my studio now. and i also have a 2019 intel macbook pro base model i barely use anymore because the M1 is better and producing on two computers is a hassle. so im planning to trade in both for a 14 inch M1 Pro macbook. so then ill have power and portability and use only one computer. my only concern is 80% of the time im going to use it in clamshell mode plugged into power. i would probably unplug it overnight though. im going to get 3 years of apple care and probably upgrade after 3 years so im not super worried, but part of me still worries about having it plugged into power in clamshell mode 80% of the day. would that hurt the battery? or is that a myth of older tech that couldnt "stop charging"?
 

barbu

macrumors 65816
Jul 8, 2013
1,264
1,052
wpg.mb.ca
The newer versions of MacOS have some allowances for staying plugged in long term. My 16” MBP has never been on battery power, so the system keeps it charged between 60-70% (I think, I don’t have it in front of me). I think it slowly discharges/recharges to keep the electrons moving.
I keep my lid up though. I use it as a third screen and for conferencing. Heat rises and I would share your concern about keeping it closed all the time. On the other hand, those M1s are pretty cool so you might have to experiment with your workload and see how hard you are pushing it and what temps you get.
 

kofman13

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 6, 2009
547
165
The newer versions of MacOS have some allowances for staying plugged in long term. My 16” MBP has never been on battery power, so the system keeps it charged between 60-70% (I think, I don’t have it in front of me). I think it slowly discharges/recharges to keep the electrons moving.
I keep my lid up though. I use it as a third screen and for conferencing. Heat rises and I would share your concern about keeping it closed all the time. On the other hand, those M1s are pretty cool so you might have to experiment with your workload and see how hard you are pushing it and what temps you get.
thanks for your input! a second question since i have you... i currently need two monitors (hdmi) for my workflow with my Mac Mini. running two monitors is fine for you on the 16 inch MBP? do you run one on HDMI one on usb c adapter? how do you have the monitors setup
 

barbu

macrumors 65816
Jul 8, 2013
1,264
1,052
wpg.mb.ca
thanks for your input! a second question since i have you... i currently need two monitors (hdmi) for my workflow with my Mac Mini. running two monitors is fine for you on the 16 inch MBP? do you run one on HDMI one on usb c adapter? how do you have the monitors setup
I have a crappy star tech dock with dual or triple hdmi. It sucks, get a proper thunderbolt dock, or go directly to dongletown :)
 
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