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What happens when charger gives a green light

If I left the charger on after a green light is shown and kept using it, which of the following is the real case?


1. the charge goes directly to the CPU, GPU, Harddisk, etc. without charging of the battery, or


2. the components above are still powered by the battery as if unplugged, while the charger is actually charging the battery as the battery discharges.


I'll vote for 1 as I think the engineers in Apple is collectively smart enough. In the case it is not theoretically possible, then I am silly enough. ^ ^


Thanks.


Message was edited by: si4

Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Dec 4, 2012 12:19 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 4, 2012 12:34 PM

The System Management Controller (SMC) performs the action you described in scenario #1.

10 replies

Dec 4, 2012 2:58 PM in response to bongzki_02

bongzki_02 wrote:


But If you will keep doing No. 1, it would not be healthy for the battery. Electrons in the battery should be kept moving all the time.


This is almost correct. The battery needs to be used periodically, not all the time.


Apple considers once a month to result in a good balance between a battery's finite cycle limit and its ultimate longevity.


Read: http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html


It really is best not to obsess about this. Plug it in and use it that way when it is convenient, unplugged when it's not.


No matter what you do, batteries are wear items that will require eventual replacement. Budget 50¢ a week for battery depreciation and you will have more than enough money to buy a genuine Apple replacement when it is required.

Dec 13, 2012 9:11 PM in response to si4

I think it's good to put my reason. The heat thus fan noise. I noticed the laptop is hotter when the indicator is amber and it's under heavy load. I plot on the big screen and take notes on the small one. It's better on the palms and ears if part of the logic board is idle.

What happens when charger gives a green light

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