Jetryckx
I've heard newer batteries don't need to be periodically discharged to zero
You NEVER want to do a full discharge, EVER. period. 😊
Drop it down to 10% minimum (approx) and recharge.
Even then, in the future dont 'often' drop it low.
Never let your Macbook die from power, you can corrupt files that way, and the Lithium Polymer batteries absolutely do not like it.
*Also new evidence suggests that sudden loss of power can adversely affect data on a SSD (solid state drive).....again, dont let it ever shut down from total power loss
Keep it plugged in when near a socket so you keep the charging cycles DOWN on your LiPo (lithium polymer) cells / battery.
*Contrary to some myths out there, there is protection circuitry in your macbook and therefore you cannot 'overcharge' it when plugged in and already fully charged
If you leave your macbook plugged in all the time, take it off charge and drain the battery down to 15 or 20% every couple of weeks or so.
LiPo (lithium polymer, same as in your macbook) batteries do not need conditioning. However...
LiPo batteries do NOT like to be dropped down to 15% or so often,....key word being "often"
A lot of battery experts call the use of LiPo cells the "80% Rule" ....meaning use 80% of the charge or so,.. then recharge them for longer overall life.
Never let your Macbook die from power, you can corrupt files that way, and the batteries do not like it.
**Also new evidence suggests that sudden loss of power can adversely affect data on a SSD (solid state drive).....again, dont let it ever shut down from total power loss
The only quantified abuse seen to LiPo cells is instances when often the cells are repeatedly drained very low.
Contrary to what some might say, LIPo batteries have an "ideal" break in period. First ten cycles or so, don't discharge down past 40% of the battery's capacity.
Same way you dont take a new car out and speed and rev the engine hard first 100 or so miles.
*Also, if youre going to store your macbook away for a few weeks or more,... make sure it has at least a 50% or so charge.
*Cycle count / use/ lifespan is one thing that cant be countered.
Proper treatment is another thing. Just because LiPo batteries dont need conditioning in general,.. does NOT mean they dont have an ideal use / recharge environment. Anything can be abused even if it doesnt need conditioning.
Just use and enjoy your new macbook,
From Apple on batteries:
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1446
but really all you would keep in mind is --"consider 15-20% is the same as 0% and recharge it"
...and best "tip" is if its near a socket, .....plug it in as long as you can (especially at home) since cycle count on the battery are the "miles that wear out the tires (battery)"
Important useful info on your Lithium cells as compiled from battery experts:
Heat increases battery performance but shortens life by a factor of two for every 10°C increase above 25–30°C (18°F above 77–86°F). This is yet another important reason for the cooling of any notebook, not just keeping the processor and GPU cool. Mavericks lower power tasking (app nap) and combined with the cool running Haswell processor both greatly protect battery life on your Macbook now more than ever before.
Good news: *Mavericks not only increases a single charge cycle for longer battery use off a full charge,… but also prolongs the overall long term life of the LiPo battery in a Macbook by reducing the load conditions the battery experiences from heavy peak-use.
Counting cycles is not conclusive because a discharge may vary in depth and there are no clearly defined standards of what constitutes a charge cycle on a Lithium Ion battery empirically. Similar to a mechanical device that wears out faster with heavy use, so also does the depth of discharge (DoD) determine the cycle count.
The shorter the discharge (low DoD), the longer the battery will last. If at all possible, avoid full discharges and charge the battery more often between uses. Partial discharge on Li-ion is fine.
Frequent HIGH depth of discharge rates (draining the battery very low) on a Lithium battery will hasten the lowering of maximum battery capacity.
Although better performing when warm, lithium polymer batteries live longer when kept cool.
Lithium cells prefer draining conditions at a steady pace rather than fast pulsed or quick discharges, …this fact is idealized now with the Haswell and Mavericks app-nap low power tasking for battery use.
App nap:
http://www.apple.com/osx/advanced-technologies/
ds store At the center of the Dark Zone
Many come here who cycle their batteries daily since they purchased the machine are reporting about 80% max capacity after only a few months/400 cycles.
Cycle count doesnt actually mean much at all.
*Counting cycles is not conclusive because a discharge may vary in depth and there are no clearly defined standards of what constitutes a charge cycle on a Lithium Ion battery empirically. Similar to a mechanical device that wears out faster with heavy use, so also does the depth of discharge (DoD) determine the cycle count.
