[JamesRedwood]

I read somewhere a long time ago that when you get a laptop you should fully charge the machine and then let it run right down

Is this correct?

[seanc]

That was quite true for NiCd batteries because they used to have a 'memory'. Fully charging and running down the MacBooks battery once in a while helps to calibrate the battery.

[B Gallagher]

Calibrating your computer's battery for best performance.

[tooki]

Yes, it's true, but only do it once in a while to calibrate. It's not beneficial to a Lithium-Ion battery to do it regularly (Li-Ion cells prefer to be partly charged and then topped off.)