Should I charge as often as possible?

[potentpotable]

I'm never quite sure how to enhance battery longevity, so I have it plugged in whenever possible, even if I use like 5%.

Is this the proper method?

 

[mike.coulter]

Quite the opposite.

Once charged, unplug the laptop and let it run down until it goes to sleep, then plug it in.

 

[Hankster]

From what I've read over the years it's always better to use your devices with battery power until it's low. This allows for better calibration. If it's always plugged in the battery never gets a chance to charge and fully realize its potential.

I always drain my battery first then charge it to full, after that I charge it around 20-30%.

 

[idonotliketostu]

I don't think it matters, there hasn't been any definitive studies or tests or recommendations by apple that would indicate positive/adverse affects on when to plug in the charger.

I have a couple macbooks, i plug it in whenever i feel like it. The cycle counts always goes up but the full charge capacity never drops below 90%. Considering how new batteries has vastly improved the maximum number of charge cycles, i wouldn't bother.

 

[Apple OC]

the key to sound battery life ... just use the battery every so often and calibrate once per month.

Trying to extend your battery life is hopeless ... the battery is the best in the Industry and is designed to last for years.

just enjoy your Mac and use the battery when needed ... the key is ... use your battery.

cheers

 

[Shadnic]

I've always heard this question asked over and over and over again with every new gadget that comes out. Here's what I've learned over the years from other forum posters.

-Draining the device down to 0 once will help with calibration.
-The rumor that draining your battery down to 0 when you first get it is based on an outdated battery technology and is no longer necessary (except simply for calibration as mentioned above)
-Although you don't want to just plug your computer in 24/7, draining the battery to its minimum constantly is actually bad for the battery's health.

And I completely agree with people that say it doesn't really matter what you do. These batteries are built to last, and if there was something you could do to keep your device working, apple would tell you. (They do have a page about battery longevity on their site if you're really interested)

 

[elwood58]

Use your system plugged in when available, and convenient. Use it on battery when otherwise. Make sure to use it on battery a little each week, and then follow Apple's instructions for calibration every month or two. Apple build really good batteries, and they last a very long time. Calibration is both about extending battery health and maintaining battery reporting accuracy. Even if your battery health reads 100%, still calibrate, as you will get very accurate indication of discharge rate etc.

My BlackBook battery is nearly 4 years old, and got used and abused in the latter part of it's life. It still registers health in the 90s, with nearly 500 cycles. It is starting to swell up though, so we ordered a replacement battery yesterday. Mind you that Apple now produce their own batteries in a state of the art factory, with the very latest in chemical technology.

I have had this MBA 11.6" for a little over a week now, and seem to get between 6 and 7 hours if I do not have the display in torch mode.

 

[kingsal]

I'm never quite sure how to enhance battery longevity, so I have it plugged in whenever possible, even if I use like 5%.

Is this the proper method?

Use the battery every day.

 

[vm7118]

stretch its legs every once in a while, then "calibrate" it every few weeks by running it to 0 until it shuts itself down, then shut and let it sleep in that state for another 12-24 hours.

my late 2008 unibody macbook pro still has 95% battery health by following this method. as late as one year ago, the health was ABOVE 100% because i would calibrate it relatively often.

 

[oliversl]

Just dischare once per month

http://www.apple.com/batteries/

 

[PuckDaddy]

drain the battery til it turns off
pull it out and let it sit overnight / 12-24 hours
charge it fully to 100%
do this once a month

if you plan on using it plugged in for an extended period ..... pull the battery and just use the power cord instead

for instance, I have a friend who uses an MBP with a dead screen as an HTPC. he doesn't need a battery installed at all because the laptop sits in his component rack

 

[vm7118]

Just dischare once per month

http://www.apple.com/batteries/

i think this is the page you were looking for:

http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

 

[vm7118]

drain the battery til it turns off
pull it out and let it sit overnight / 12-24 hours
charge it fully to 100%
do this once a month

if you plan on using it plugged in for an extended period ..... pull the battery and just use the power cord instead

for instance, I have a friend who uses an MBP with a dead screen as an HTPC. he doesn't need a battery installed at all because the laptop sits in his component rack

don't ever user the notebook without the battery in it.

1) apple notebooks have been known to throttle the CPU to 50% in this situation, leading to greatly decreased performance.

2) what happens when the power cuts, or if someone knocks the cord away? lost data, filesystem corruption, etc. same as with a desktop not going through a UPS.

 

[Over Achiever]

drain the battery til it turns off
pull it out and let it sit overnight / 12-24 hours
charge it fully to 100%
do this once a month

if you plan on using it plugged in for an extended period ..... pull the battery and just use the power cord instead

for instance, I have a friend who uses an MBP with a dead screen as an HTPC. he doesn't need a battery installed at all because the laptop sits in his component rack

So what about non-removable batteries?

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

If your credit limit is high enough, by all means, be my guest!