Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Bumboclott · Sep 11, 2007, 03:49 AM

Would it be ok If I leave my macbook powered on overnight (via AC cord) for 8 hours to sync thousands of files to my PC? Or would that be on for too long?

What's the longest you've had your macbook powered on for without any damages?

Simon · Sep 11, 2007, 04:00 AM

You can keep it plugged in for as long as you want. The battery will not overcharge if that's what you're worried about.

Here's a good place to read up on how Apple's notebook batteries work.

Railroader · Sep 11, 2007, 08:51 AM

I have had my MacBook powered on continuously for months. I rarely shut it off.

imemikey · Sep 11, 2007, 11:41 AM

is it bad if i just took out my battery when im using it at home and just have the power plugged in?

peeb · Sep 11, 2007, 11:44 AM

There's no need to take the battery out - stop worrying about it.

ibook_steve · Sep 11, 2007, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by imemikey

is it bad if i just took out my battery when im using it at home and just have the power plugged in?

Besides no need to do this, your processor will run at a slower speed without the battery installed.

Steve

Railroader · Sep 11, 2007, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by imemikey

is it bad if i just took out my battery when im using it at home and just have the power plugged in?

Why do you want to do this? There is no reason that I can think of to do this.

kuchiki · Sep 11, 2007, 02:10 PM

I have to agree with the others...there just is no need to unplug the battery...one thing you can do occasionally is reaclibrating your battery.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86284

kuchiki

Bumboclott · Sep 11, 2007, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Simon

You can keep it plugged in for as long as you want. The battery will not overcharge if that's what you're worried about.

Here's a good place to read up on how Apple's notebook batteries work.

I'm not worried about my battery overcharging when it's plugged in. I'm worried about parts in the mb overheating. I have it over a laptop cooler, but I don't know if that's enough. I'm asking if it's ok to have my mb plugged in AND powered on overnight to sync files to my PC.

I guess Railroader answered my question though. Does anyone else treat their laptop like this?

Andrew88088 · Sep 11, 2007, 02:30 PM

I've kept mine plugged in and running all night quite often. Nothing is going to overheat.

imemikey · Sep 11, 2007, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Why do you want to do this? There is no reason that I can think of to do this.

i had a vaio before my macbook and my battery life just sucked when I had the battery in my computer and had it plugged in all the time. I took it to sony and they said when the battery is full and if im gonna leave the charger plugged in that I should remove the battery. Just a habit I built up i guess

edit : screw sony, i feel you now railroader, found this MacBook and MacBook Pro: Mac reduces processor speed when battery is removed while operating from an A/C adaptor

Christopera · Sep 11, 2007, 05:15 PM

I sometimes will unplug mine with it on custom energy mode. I customize the energy mode to simulate plugged in/full performance mode. I then run the battery down to like 3 or 4% and plug in again.

Just thought that this might ease your concerns.

Although, I typically just leave the thing plugged in and have run it for days on end.

Railroader · Sep 11, 2007, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by imemikey

i had a vaio before my macbook and my battery life just sucked when I had the battery in my computer and had it plugged in all the time. I took it to sony and they said when the battery is full and if im gonna leave the charger plugged in that I should remove the battery. Just a habit I built up i guess

edit : screw sony, i feel you now railroader, found this MacBook and MacBook Pro: Mac reduces processor speed when battery is removed while operating from an A/C adaptor

Did your viao have a LiPo battery? LiPos are a completely unique battery and benefit from being "topped off". They don't develop a memory and don't lose life if not discharged often.

jersey · Sep 11, 2007, 06:40 PM

Mine just finished rendering a 15 layer, 5 filters per layer, 720p, 35 minute, 150 gig video exported from Aftereffects to an external hd. Took it something like 36 hours. My entire desk was warm to the touch.

Yours will be fine.

Bumboclott · Sep 11, 2007, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by jersey

Mine just finished rendering a 15 layer, 5 filters per layer, 720p, 35 minute, 150 gig video exported from Aftereffects to an external hd. Took it something like 36 hours. My entire desk was warm to the touch.

Yours will be fine.

damn! You don't have a laptop cooler underneath?

Simon · Sep 12, 2007, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by Bumboclott

I'm not worried about my battery overcharging when it's plugged in. I'm worried about parts in the mb overheating. I have it over a laptop cooler, but I don't know if that's enough. I'm asking if it's ok to have my mb plugged in AND powered on overnight to sync files to my PC.

You worry too much. Of course it' OK to have it run all the time. These things have temp sensors, heat pipes, fans, etc. Even if it would overheat (for example because of a broken fan) the temp sensors would show that and eventually OS X would perform a forced hutdown to prevent hardware damage. Do you honestly think Apple would design the MBP in such a way that it overheats causing millions of $ in warranty repairs just due to people using the devices for prolonged periods of time?

I have an 'old' CD MBP sitting here that's been compiling code almost non-stop for the past three weeks. Its load is averaging at 90%, the CPU temp is stable at about 72C, the fans are running and the device is warm to touch. Is that a problem? Not at all. It's running just fine. And it's not on any kind of "laptop cooler" by the way.

The MBP was made to be used. Use it.