Should I leave MacBook Pro plugged in for FCPX work?

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Level 1

8 points

Should I leave MacBook Pro plugged in for FCPX work?

Since FCPX drains battery fairly quickly with heavy duty processing, is it advisable to keep MacBook Pro plugged in for film editing? I have no complaints about the performance. FCPX is what I use the laptop for mostly and I'm usually at home so it's not a big inconvenience to keep the power cord at hand. I've been using the battery until it get's below 15% and then recharging but I'm wondering if anyone knows best practice for battery longevity (meaning over the course of the MacBook Pro lifetime). From what I've read, it looks like using the battery the way I am now is best but would like confirmation. Specs below. Thanks.

macOS High Sierra

Version 10.13.2

Model Name: MacBook Pro(Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)

Model Identifier: MacBookPro11,4

Processor Name: Intel Core i7

Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 4

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 6 MB

Memory: 16 GB DDR3

Graphics Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS High Sierra (10.13.2), 2.8 MHz Intel Core i7, 16GB

Posted on Jan 25, 2018 5:01 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 25, 2018 7:54 AM in response to gcwillard

I expect disagreeing voices at any moment but here is my take on this subject: my 2014 15” rMBP is the mac I use for work and play, since September 2014. At my workplace I use it all day long connected to power. It travels in sleep mode in my backpack stored inside the large case on my motorcycle. When I am here or there, either on the couch or a conference hall, I use it on battery. I regularly teach classes with it attached to a projector and running on battery, and I have no “range anxiety”. I have been using some 5 different mac laptops in this fashion for some 19 years now.

Your battery has a limited number od discharge cycles (anout 1000) and always discharging and recharging will consume these cycles faster. I have not had any “battery memory” issues. There used to be guidelines about fully discharging and recharging once a month or so, but even that is probably not necessary today.

Bottom line: deskbound, use power adapter; out and about, use battery. Enjoy your awesome mac 😎

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Answer 2

gcwillard Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 25, 2018 8:08 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks. I do enjoy the MacBook Pro coming from a 9-year old iMac that took 6 hours to render a movie down to 10 minutes max. Glad to hear that keeping it powered while at home might be a better way to go. Will see what others have to say.

Would like to hear from an official Apple source as well but admit I'm wary of the company and see many of their decisions (so perhaps their advice as well?) based on profit motive (for example - not including MOTION in FCPX to create custom titles so that I eventually will be forced to shell out another $50 bucks to get what should have been in a $300 product!). Till then, I'll just copy and paste.

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Answer 3

Jan 25, 2018 8:36 AM in response to gcwillard

I have no part in Apple's decisions, obviously, but I think it makes sense. FWIW, I think that Motion for $50 is a very good value, and I don't in any way regret buying it. I have used it and upgraded for free for six and a half years (and the same for FCP X). That is enormous value.

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Answer 4

gcwillard Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 25, 2018 8:18 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll probably eventually get Motion.

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