MBP 16" battery question

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MBP 16" battery question

I just purchased a MacBook Pro 16" and will be using it as a desktop 99.8% of the time. I've already read what Apple says about this in their support articles...they "recommend" not to leave it plugged in all the time. But I believe that is more of a recommendation...rather than gospel. After searching on this, apparently there are many others who don't give it a second thought. If Apple said it MUST NEVER remained plugged in 24/7 they'd lose a lot of sales.

I'm willing to let the MBP battery drain occasionally (not completely...but to Apple's recommended percentage) and then recharge it. Would once per week be sufficient to do this? Or I'm open to any other suggestions.

Posted on Feb 7, 2020 11:27 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

leroydouglas

Community+ 2024

Level 10

184,566 points

Feb 7, 2020 11:37 AM in response to Larry McJunkin

Once a month to every three months seems reasonable.

I leave mine plugged in as much as possible.

About Mac notebook batteries - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204054

Determine battery cycle count for Mac notebooks - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201585

Batteries - Maximizing Performance - Apple

https://www.apple.com/batteries/maximizing-performance/ 

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Answer 2

Feb 7, 2020 11:48 AM in response to Larry McJunkin

There USED TO BE guidance in Apple articles suggesting running it only on battery once a month.

That guidance has been removed from the current recommendations.

About Mac notebook batteries - Apple Support

Batteries - Apple

.

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Answer 3

Feb 8, 2020 7:27 AM in response to Larry McJunkin

It is interesting [to me anyway] that a large number of problems reported here with the 16-in MacBook Pro are tied directly to users who do Not connect their power adapters for long periods of time, ever.

There are now explicit recommendation that for some MacBook Pro models, you leave the power adapter connected for more than eight hours.

If your MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) keeps shutting down - Apple Support

.

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Answer 4

Feb 7, 2020 4:32 PM in response to Larry McJunkin

Larry McJunkin wrote:

What I don't see is any "specific" wording that says specifically to NOT leave my MBP plugged in. I was just trying to get some guidance from others who may have left their MBPs plugged in and determine if it did, or did not it have an impact, etc.

Battery technology just keeps improving.

Every MacBook and macBook Pro I have ever owned— I have just used it. For me this is mostly on the Desktop 99% (?) of the time plugged into the mains. If I need portability, I unplug it and run on the battery.

The batteries have had an expected cycle count of 1000.

My current mid-2012 bought as a refurb from the Apple in 2013; 7 years and counting, truly I give it no thought.

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Answer 5

Feb 7, 2020 11:42 AM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks, Leroy. I had read those articles but if you take some of that guidance literally...it would cause you not to even buy an MBP if you wanted to use it only as a desktop. I guess I should also look at this realistically...I'll trade it in on the next latest and greatest MBP in probably less than three years so I don't think I'll hurt it in that short time charging it once per month.

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Answer 6

Feb 7, 2020 4:00 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant, I've already read these and everything else I can find published by Apple on this. What I don't see is any "specific" wording that says specifically to NOT leave my MBP plugged in. I was just trying to get some guidance from others who may have left their MBPs plugged in and determine if it did, or did not it have an impact, etc. If Apple says somewhere (and I've missed it) that "thou shalt not leave the MBP plugged in" then fine, I won't. I'll unplug it, box it up and return it to the local Apple Store before the 14 days are up.

Sadly, the 16" MBP is the ONLY "new" Mac on the market right now, unless you can afford the Mac Pro and it's golden accompanying monitor. I'd prefer to just have a new iMac since I don't intend to do anything with my new MBP other than use it as a desktop, but I'm not paying that much for 3-year-old hardware. Actually, I think the problem is deeper than that...most likely, MBPs out-sell iMac by a huge margin, and iPhones/iPads outsell everything, so I can't blame Apple for not refreshing the iMac.

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Answer 7

Feb 7, 2020 7:19 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I just bought my wife a Mac mini and the LG UltraFine monitor they “used” to sell at the Apple Store. They stopped selling the monitor a week ago and won’t be selling it at all in the future. If you’re familiar with that monitor you know there’s none better except for Apple’s new one. And it’s out of my price range.

I'm fine with the 16” MBP as long as I don’t have to babysit the battery. The few times we do travel I’m sure I’ll appreciate it instead of my iPhone.

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Answer 8

Feb 7, 2020 5:19 PM in response to Larry McJunkin

If you know you will never use it as a portable, take a look at the Mac mini as well.

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Answer 9

Feb 7, 2020 7:24 PM in response to leroydouglas

That’s very encouraging!

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Answer 10

Feb 8, 2020 11:46 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I'm in your camp with this one...it's very interesting. Seems more than coincidental.

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MBP 16" battery question

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