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@BobTheFisherman, in a previous thread:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252551022?&followedChain=true&previousThread=253588859021
you wrote, "Leaving it plugged in reduces the rate of accumulation of battery cycles." Is that good or bad?
MacBook Pro (M2 Max, 2023)
ykt28403 Said:
"is plugging my MacBook Pro m2 all the time saves the battery?"
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Leaving a Mac Plugged In:
Macs can only go through so many charging cycle counts until it is time for a new battery. It's the way batteries work. Go here: Determine Battery Cycle Count for Mac laptops - Apple Support
ykt28403 Said:
"is plugging my MacBook Pro m2 all the time saves the battery?"
-------
Leaving a Mac Plugged In:
Macs can only go through so many charging cycle counts until it is time for a new battery. It's the way batteries work. Go here: Determine Battery Cycle Count for Mac laptops - Apple Support
The battery on my older MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) is fried. 538 out of 1000 cycles, and it says it can hold 40% of its original capacity; but it will die about 1 hour 15 minutes off the charger. I believe that model did not have Optimized Battery Charging. Of course, I'm going to replace this battery.
What's recommended for MacBook Pros that don't have optimized battery charging? Having difficulty finding a thread about that; this one is close:
can i leave my 2015 macbook pro plugged i… - Apple Community
If I upgrade the OS to Big Sur or Monterey (heard bad things about Catalina + Avid), I'd get optimized battery charging; but I'm concerned about compatibility with my perpetual license version of Avid (8.9.2).
TheLittles wrote:
Leaving a Mac Plugged In:
Macs can only go through so many charging cycle counts until it is time for a new battery. It's the way batteries work. Go here: Determine Battery Cycle Count for Mac laptops - Apple Support
Might be a little bit more complicated than that. Some batteries just refuse to die. I've heard of some referring to "luck of the draw". I've seen some that indicated less than 100% nominal battery capacity as soon as I got it. Also luck of the draw.
What I read is that macOS Catalina 10.5.5 or later has optimized battery charging, so you can leave it plugged in without damaging the battery. For OS older than Catalina 10.5.5, a post from 2016 suggests:
"If you use your MBP connected to the charger all the time, at least once per month, use it under battery power to about the 40% charge level before recharging. Lithium ion batteries need periodic exercise for a long useful life.
"Do not drain the battery to the point where it turns off. Avoid deep discharges in general, below the 20% charge level. These will shorten the useful life of the battery."
can i leave my 2015 macbook pro plugged i… - Apple Community
ykt28403 Said:
"is plugging my MacBook Pro m2 all the time saves the battery: So, with an M2 MacBook Pro 2023, it's actually better for the battery to leave it plugged in all the time? Otherwise, it'll go through battery cycles?”
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About Battery Duty Cycles:
The battery will keep going through cycle counts (officially called duty cycles), even when plugged in. I leave mine plugged in while using it, and unplug it while I’m not using it. I’ve had my computer for 11 years and have never had any issue, whatsoever with the battery.
If you think about phone batteries, every one lets in their pocket(typically) and then charges it when they get the time home. So, that is why phone batteries don’t last as long —they are going through many more duty counts. As a side note, know that there is no way to know when, nor why, then Battery Health percentage degraded.
Disclaimer: I’m not a battery expert, but I’ve never had problems with my method of charging my Macs
Yes. The single biggest reason for batteries to lose capacity is that they're actually used. Leaving it plugged in most of the time will reduce that use because the computer will be primarily powered off of an external source.
That being said, it might be a good idea to occasionally use a Mac on its battery. Apple used to recommend it for "desktop replacements". But it's not strictly necessary these days.
So, with an M2 MacBook Pro 2023, it's actually better for the battery to leave it plugged in all the time? Otherwise, it'll go through battery cycles?
is plugging my MacBook Pro m2 all the time saves the battery?
