Can I run my iBook with no battery?

Question

Level 1

20 points

Can I run my iBook with no battery?

I know it's not good to always have power running though the battery via the power adapter, but I mostly use my iBook as a desktop computer.

I have noticed that the battery charge actually drops after using the power adapter with a full battery.

Example: This morning my battery went from '100% full - 4378mAh' down to '99% full - 4372mAh'. -

(My battery is 6 months old and no longer has a 4400mAh capacity.)

The charger still says the battery is full even though it will keep declining while plugged in to the power adapter. The only way to sfix this is by resetting the PMU. Then it will register as not fully charged and bring it back up.

So I'd like to charge the battery then remove it until needed. It seems unrealistic to put the battery through all this when it could just be set aside.

My battery stats are determined using 'CoconutBattery 2.2'

Thank you.

iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.4), iPod G4, Sony MD, Boss BR-532 Digital Studio, Apex 430 Large Diaphram condenser

Posted on Mar 30, 2006 12:56 PM

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Answer 1

maciscool

Level 3

586 points

Mar 30, 2006 3:09 PM in response to Q_Ball

The iBook runs fine with no battery, but there is no reason to do this. All you need to do is unplug the iBook once per month and let the battery run down until the computer goes to sleep. That re-calabrates the battery.

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Answer 2

Q_Ball Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 30, 2006 5:29 PM in response to maciscool

The iBook runs fine with no battery, but there is no
reason to do this. All you need to do is unplug the
iBook once per month and let the battery run down
until the computer goes to sleep. That re-calabrates
the battery.

I think you need to reread my post. At all times that the iBook is used while connected to the power adapter, the overall life of the battery is being shortened.

Recalibrating the battery DOES NOT restore it to factory condition.

Did you even read my post or were you just looking for easy points?

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Answer 3

Mar 31, 2006 2:00 PM in response to Q_Ball

Q.Ball.

Your OP is a succession of statements with no question or request for information.

Maciscool kindly replied with perfectly correct advice.

The overall life of the battery is being shortened irrespective of whether or not it is being used. That is the nature of Lithium Ion batteries.

NOTHING will restore a battery to factory condition. That condition is declining from the time manufacturing is complete, irrespective of it being used, charged or stored. For the record, Apple advise storing an unused battery in a half charged state, refrigerated but NOT frozen.

The charged state will fluctuate from 100% while the charger is plugged in. It happens. There is no need to keep resetting the PMU.

AFAIK Apple offers no advice regarding using notebooks without batteries other than suggesting that they may be used without batteries, if necessary, whilst waiting for a replacement battery under the battery exchange program.

"Did you even read my post or were you just looking for easy points?"

IMO an unnecessary and unkind remark.

Chill out.

ibook G4 1GHz, 768mb; iMac 17" G4:768mb (10.3.9) Mac OS X (10.4.5) Belkin Wireless F5D7632

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Answer 4

--JB--

Level 5

4,087 points

Mar 31, 2006 2:07 PM in response to Q_Ball

Hi Q_Ball,

You might want to look at...

Knowledge Base Document #86284 about Calibrating your computer's battery for best performance

Knowledge Base Document #500666 has Tips for maximizing your PowerBook and iBook battery charge

About Notebook Batteries

Lithium-ion Batteries

Jon

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Answer 5

maciscool

Level 3

586 points

Mar 31, 2006 3:26 PM in response to Q_Ball

If you are going to use your iBook with no battery look at putting your computer in hibernate mode, this could save you if the power was unplugged when the computer is asleep.

iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

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Answer 6

--JB--

Level 5

4,087 points

Mar 31, 2006 3:34 PM in response to --JB--

Forgot to mention...

I don't suggest taking the battery out. The reason being, it was made to stay in there; if the compartment got messed up your going to be in trouble. If you read my post, you should have seen links for maximizing the battery's charge as well as calibrating your iBook to get the best performance. You should have a problem if you follow those guide lines.

Jon

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Answer 7

Apr 3, 2006 7:30 AM in response to Q_Ball

What about possibly purchasing another battery? You can either use this as a spare battery on the side for when your other dies, or it can replace the one you have now. No matter what, the batteries will go down in the capacity they can hold. I'm waiting for the new technology that will prevent this.

I also mainly use my iBook as a "desktop," meaning it has been sitting on my desk more than travelling with me recently. What I do is just unplug the power adapter from my computer, but keep the computer on the desk. This way the battery has a chance to run down. When my computer goes to sleep, I just plug in the adapter right away, and everything is alright.

Do you have anything connected to your computer that might be causing the battery to run down a little quicker, such as an iSight, or an iPod or something similar that uses the computer as a power source? Even flashdrives and zip drives cause this.

Just thought I'd share my two cents.

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