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louh · Dec 29, 2009, 10:39 AM

Is it better to keep the MBP plugged in whenever possible or is it better to use the battery until it is drained and then recharge?

Just got a new MacBook Pro and was wondering about how to extend the longevity of it. The old MacBook we have has a battery that is shot because it lasts about 10 seconds before it needs to be plugged in. So we want to keep the battery in this new MBP as long and healthy as possible.

Thanks for the help,
Lou

CharlesS · Dec 29, 2009, 12:34 PM

As with most things, the answer lies in the middle somewhere. You don't have to leave it on the charger all the time, but do try to keep it from going all the way down to zero too often.

SpaceMonkey · Dec 29, 2009, 12:49 PM

Apple - Batteries - Notebooks

mduell · Dec 29, 2009, 05:52 PM

Keep it plugged in, cycle the battery at least once a month.

Eriamjh · Dec 29, 2009, 06:10 PM

Batteries are like a big block of cheese. It goes moldy eventually whether you use it or not. Refrigeration only slows the degradation process.

So use your battery or lose it. Eat your cheese and enjoy it while you can.

ibook_steve · Dec 29, 2009, 06:23 PM

In other words, just use it however you need to, plugged or unplugged. Don't worry too much about it.

Steve

Big Mac · Dec 30, 2009, 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

As with most things, the answer lies in the middle somewhere. You don't have to leave it on the charger all the time, but do try to keep it from going all the way down to zero too often.

That's the answer most commonly given.

Spheric Harlot · Dec 30, 2009, 05:22 AM

Your battery will die eventually.

Worry about it constantly, and you might have to spring for a new battery in October a few years from now.

Forget about it and enjoy the damn thing with all its benefits, and you might have to spring for a new battery in April of that same year instead.

I decided a while ago that the reason I have these things is to use them at what they do best, and not spend my time worrying about the details.

P · Dec 30, 2009, 06:17 AM

Basically, your battery has about 500 charge cycles to live. If you really run it flat, that uses up more than one "cycle", so don't do that. Other than that you should only try to minimize the number of times you cycle.

ghporter · Dec 30, 2009, 06:28 AM

It's more "up to 500 cycles," in my experience. Staying plugged in whenever I could has left me with a MBP battery that only lasts about an hour anymore. Not horrible, but not what I want either. I (and Apple) consider notebook batteries to be long-term "expendable" supplies.

Big Mac · Dec 30, 2009, 06:50 AM

Yeah, but you're in a worse position with Apple's unibody laptops that don't allow the user to replace the battery. Whether or not they're expendable, you have a bigger issue now that you can't just pop a new battery in yourself. As a result, it's important to know (IMO) which battery practices are better and which are worse.

AKcrab · Dec 30, 2009, 12:43 PM

Maybe we should just sticky what Apple says to do:
Apple - Batteries - Notebooks

Spheric Harlot · Dec 30, 2009, 12:50 PM

Oh hey - deja vu!