How often should I plug in my 2016 macbook pro?

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Level 1

8 points

How often should I plug in my 2016 macbook pro?

Just bought a macbook pro a few months ago after being an HP laptop user, I am trying to figure out how to keep the battery "exercised". When not running any of the Adobe CC, just browsing in chrome and safari my battery full charged shows a life of about 3 hours (which seems low to me). I have kept it plugged in most of the time for the last couple months but someone told me this was bad. So my question:

1. How often should I plug in my macbook? I use it about 11 hours a day, so clearly it is going to need to be plugged in some of the time, but what is the best plug in/not plug in pattern?

2. When I shut down at night, should I keep it plugged in, or unplug it?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on May 1, 2016 5:20 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

steve359

Level 6

17,169 points

May 1, 2016 1:44 PM in response to senordeer

You can keep the MBP plugged in most of the time. The charging circuits will stop charging at 100% and let the battery trickle down to 95% before charging again.

Mine is plugged in much of the time, but I use the battery down to 30%-40% at least one a month.

Use it as needed ... off charger when mobile, but plug in a few times during the day to top off the charge. Just do not run it below 10% and definitely do not run it dead ... both damage the battery.

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Answer 2

senordeer Author

Level 1

8 points

May 1, 2016 1:47 PM in response to steve359

Awesome Steve thanks so much. So when the macbook is fully charged and I unplug it, it only shows a remaining battery life of like 3 hours, even when I don't have any Adobe CC apps open (I know they are power suckers). Is this normal? It seems low to me.

And should I keep it plugged in when it is shut down (like at night)?

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

May 1, 2016 2:00 PM in response to senordeer

senordeer wrote:

And should I keep it plugged in when it is shut down (like at night)?

Yes, you can so long as you use the MBP under battery power at least once per month!

Ciao.

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Answer 4

steve359

Level 6

17,169 points

May 1, 2016 4:30 PM in response to senordeer

"Remaining time" is a moving target. Even under low load it can change from 3 hours to 7 hours at the drop of a hat.

Keep it plugged in if it is not moving, let the charger circuits do their work.

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Answer 5

senordeer Author

Level 1

8 points

May 1, 2016 4:31 PM in response to steve359

Thanks guys. Much as I love Apple I'd like to spend as little time in Apple store as possible so want to make sure I'm doing what I can to preserve battery life. Much appreciated!

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