Can MacBook Pro 13" run on AC mode without charging the battery?

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Level 1

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Can MacBook Pro 13" run on AC mode without charging the battery?

Hi there,

I am planning to get a new MacBook Pro 13" model. I have some questions to ask regarding long hours of usage.

Right now, with my current PC laptop, I am able to remove the battery to run it on AC mode so I can leave it on for hours without having to charge the battery.

As with the new MBP, the battery are in-built and if I wanna run it on AC mode, it will inevitably charge the battery.

I know the old MacBook Pro allows you to pluck out the battery so you can run it on AC mode.

Any solutions for this? Please advise.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.2), It rocks!!

Posted on Nov 24, 2009 1:19 AM

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Answer 1

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Nov 24, 2009 1:35 AM in response to neuro182

Welcome to Apple Discussions 🙂

Non-removable batteries are just that and anyway removing the battery as you do now causes the CPU to run at 50% capacity thereby throttling the machine - it simply doesn't make sense ...

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Answer 2

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Nov 24, 2009 1:37 AM in response to neuro182

Mac Notebooks have long made use of a system whereby the computer stops charging when it reaches 100% charge and does not commence charging again until the battery charge drops to 93%.

There is accordingly no real need to remove the battery in the manner you may have to do with your current PC.

Rod

Message was edited by: Rod Hagen

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Answer 3

neuro182 Author

Level 1

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Nov 24, 2009 2:56 AM in response to neuro182

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies. I realized as what IVmichael mentioned that even on older macbook, the processing speed drops significantly when run without the battery. I will take note about that.

As with Rod, can I safely say that each time I plug in the AC adaptor, the battery will not be charged if it is at the 93% mark and I can run it on AC mode?

Thing is, this machine that I'm gonna buy will act as my laptop and desktop at the same time, so when I use it at home for long hours, I won't wanna jeopardize the battery by letting it run and then recharging again. I rather run my laptop on AC mode if I need to use it for 7 hours or more.

In conclusion, can I plug in the AC adaptor to run the MacBook Pro on AC mode without being afraid that the battery might fry due to long usage?

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Answer 4

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Nov 24, 2009 3:43 AM in response to neuro182

neuro182,

I am an anthropologist, and accordingly I need to have a computer which I can use "in the field" on occasion. Much of the rest of the time, however, I have it hooked up to a 24" monitor and a couple of large external hard drives, a keyboard and mouse, and use it as a "desktop replacement". Yes, I usually use it also for perhaps half an hour or so each day on battery alone, while drinking the morning coffee or somesuch as well, but it daily spends 7 hours or more hooked up to a charger.

I have never "fried" a battery.

If you leave your computer connected to a charger almost all the time then Apple recommend that you recalibrate it (essentially charge it up, let it rest, run it flat and then charge it right up again) every month or so.

But you shouldn't worry about using it for extensive periods of time attached to the charger, as long as you use it on battery as well some of the time.

neuroanatomist's user tip at http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1764220 provides a useful summary. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1909 points out that Intel Macs don't start to recharge once fully charged until the battery level drops to 93% if they remain connected to the charger.

Cheers

Rod

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