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MacBook M2 and docking station deteriorated battery life?

Does Having MacBook (M2 Max) plugged into a charging docking station (CalDigit TS4) bad for the MacBook battery? Does it overcharge or deteriorate battery life over time? 

Posted on Jun 13, 2023 5:45 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 13, 2023 7:27 AM

In general, you should ALWAYS connect AC power when it is possible to do so, and only run on batteries (which could be somewhat slower) when no AC sources are at hand. Your Mac will NEVER over-charge.


Your MacBook Pro uses ‘smart charging’ to charge in the optimum way, and only when necessary. Plugged in is Not necessarily actively charging. There is substantial hardware and software cooperating on battery and charging issues. Simply asserting a charging voltage against one of the interface(s) will NOT successfully charge your MacBook Pro.


Any external power supply that provides "USB Power Delivery" (including certain displays) must negotiate over the USB cable using USB Power Delivery Protocol, and can not 'force itself' on your Mac. The Voltage and Current are delivered only after your Mac requests and the charger agrees to supply power under certain controlled conditions. The computer is in control of the entire process.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 13, 2023 7:27 AM in response to mrfooty

In general, you should ALWAYS connect AC power when it is possible to do so, and only run on batteries (which could be somewhat slower) when no AC sources are at hand. Your Mac will NEVER over-charge.


Your MacBook Pro uses ‘smart charging’ to charge in the optimum way, and only when necessary. Plugged in is Not necessarily actively charging. There is substantial hardware and software cooperating on battery and charging issues. Simply asserting a charging voltage against one of the interface(s) will NOT successfully charge your MacBook Pro.


Any external power supply that provides "USB Power Delivery" (including certain displays) must negotiate over the USB cable using USB Power Delivery Protocol, and can not 'force itself' on your Mac. The Voltage and Current are delivered only after your Mac requests and the charger agrees to supply power under certain controlled conditions. The computer is in control of the entire process.


MacBook M2 and docking station deteriorated battery life?

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