Better to leave computer plugged in or unplugged when sleeping?

I'm wondering if it is better for the battery (i.e. will preserve the battery's life) to leave it plugged in (fully charged) or to unplug it and let it drain a little overnight. I've actually heard both. I know it makes sense just to leave it plugged in, but I've heard that it's bad for the battery to just leave it plugged in all the time, for some reason.
Just curious.

Welcome to the Forums!
It's bad for the battery for the MBP to be run on AC power all the time. Li-based batteries need to be used to maintain health. Optimal use is 1-2 charge cycles per week.
It does not hurt to leave the MBP plugged in when the battery is charged - there is no risk of overcharging; in fact, your MBP will not initiate charging if the current charge is 95% or higher (this prevents overcharging and very small, frequent charges/discharges).
For more info, see these pages:
http://www.apple.com/batteries/
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
Hope this helps...

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If my computer is not fully charged but i'm shutting it down for the night, is it better to leave it plugged in or to unplug it?

If my computer is not fully charged but i'm shutting it down for the night, is it better to leave it plugged in or to unplug it?

Your computer will not overcharge, even when off. If the battery is sufficiently low, it will top off the battery and stop charging. By morning, the light will be green because it is done charging.
There is no need to disconnect the power when you shut it off. The SMC microcontroller will continue to supervise charging the battery, even when the main processor is shut down.
https://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

HT4528 Is it better to leave iPhone plugged in overnight or unplug and turn off?

Is it better to leave iPhone plugged in all or turn off after 100%?

Neither will have harmful effects on the battery. I would leave it overnight so it is still 100% charged when you wake up.

I have new mac pro, does it hurt the battery, leaving computer plug in

My computer is about month old. I am new working on a mac computer

I found my answer, reading other posts. Thanks

Leaving Drive Plugged In 24/7

I just bought a 1TB SeaGate FreeAgent GoFlex USB 2.0 drive (eventually will upgrade to FireWire) to use with Time Machine, and want to know if it's better to leave it plugged in to let Time Machine do it's thing every hour the Mac's plugged in, or just plug it in to backup occasionally. If the latter, how often to back up? Right now I use a 500 GB partition on a Western Digital drive for Time Machine, and only backup once a week, which I think is too infrequent.
Thanks in advance.

dave2889 wrote:
Thanks, read that, will bookmark for future reference. Thinking of getting http://dicksmith.com.au/product/M7678/powerware-700va-uninterruptible-power-supp ly
It doesn't say it's Mac compatible, but since that article said not to install software, the Energy Saver panel will do the job, it should work with Mac, right?
Probably. It does say it has a USB cable, but I'd be inclined to check with the maker to be sure.
Page 15 here says a USB cable is not included: http://lit.powerware.com/lldownload.asp?file=9120_man_engrevD.pdf
Is this something you can buy locally and return if it doesn't work?
Notice the only review wasn't exactly glowing . . .

So I plugged my iPhone 4s into my computer to charge it and when it was done charging I fallowed all the steps to unplug it. However when I went into my music all my music was gone except for my purchased music and all of my ringtones were were gone too?

So I plugged my iPhone 4s into my computer to charge it and when it was done charging I fallowed all the steps to unplug it. However when I went into my music all my music was gone except for my purchased music and all of my ringtones were were gone too?

I have it set on manually manage music and videos. So there is no automatic syncing going on or anything like that. Yes iTunes was open and when i plugged in my phone i could see all the music and everything on my phone, everything was working like it was supposed to, I didn't have a problem until I unplugged the phone.

Hello i have an iphone 4 its stuck in the apple loop. when ever i unplug it from the computer it shuts down and when i plug it in it shows me on itunes its in recovery mood and every time i click restore i get this error the iPhone could not be restored.

hello i have an iphone 4 its stuck in the apple loop. when ever i unplug it from the computer it shuts down and when i plug it in it shows me on itunes its in recovery mood and every time i click restore i get this error the iPhone could not be restored.an unknown error accurred (2001)

Error 1 or -1
This may indicate a hardware issue with your device. Follow Troubleshooting security software issues, and restore your device on a different known-good computer. If the errors persist on another computer, the device may need service.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3694#error1

I download songs, vedios on ipod model no. MA978ZP through computer but ipod shows nothing it shows 0-songs, 0-vedios but when i plug with the computer it shows everything but when i unplug ipod nothing shows

i download songs, vedios on ipod model no. MA978ZP through computer but ipod shows nothing it shows 0-songs, 0-vedios but when i plug with the computer it shows everything but when i unplug ipod nothing shows

Have You used iTunes or did you just put files on ipod disc???
Try downloading new iTunes, and try with restore if nothing hapens!

Leave mac plugged in on sleep mode?

i just recently bought a macbook and have been reading about battery cycles and what not. just a quick question though.. is it better to leave my mac plugged in overnight while on sleep mode or should i just unplug it and plug it in again in when i use it the next day?
also, do i need to turn off my mac at night or is it safe to just leave it on sleep mode when i go to bed?
thanks!

No problem! Thanks for the star
Personally, I like to make sure my computer is sleeping before I head to bed, just in case; I've had a couple occasions where it didn't go into sleep mode properly & the fan kicked in at high speed due to excessive heat.
~Lyssa

Leaving it plugged in.

So i got my new 13" MB last friday (4 days ago) and i've been doing my research on how to prolong the life of the battery. After 4 days, i am sitting on 8 cycles, so as you can see i am a relatively heavy user. For the last 4 days, i have been unplugging it when it is full and then charging it when it almost dies. Hoewever, at this rate, i will reach my 300 cycles in half a year.
My daily laptop usage would involve using it for a few hours at uni every day and then using it at night at home. After doing some research last night, i have decided that i will keep it plugged in while at home but use it on battery when i'm out and about. (Is this the right thing to do?)
My question is, when i'm at home and i put my macbook to sleep, should i unplug the mains? (Assuming that it is fully charged)
What about when i shut down before i go to bed - do i want to leave it plugged in over night?
I have also been making sure that the magsafe is plugged in fore connecting or disconnecting the mains. Is this neccesary?
Your input is greatly appreciated

It's perfectly fine to leave the computer connected to the AC adapter.
About Batteries in Modern Apple Laptops
Apple - Batteries - Notebooks
Extending the Life of Your Laptop Battery
Apple - Batteries
Determining Battery Cycle Count
Calibrating your computer's battery for best performance
Battery University

Should i leave charge plug when it is fully charged?

Should i leave charge plug when it is fully charged? I read that my macbook pro with retina display (Early-2012) has 1000 charge-cycle. If i do not unplug it when it is fully charged, it won't count plus for charge-cycle. However, is it beneficial?
Thanks a lot.

You can leave it plugged in whether using it or not. It will not harm the battery:
About Batteries in Modern Apple Laptops
Apple - Batteries - Notebooks
Extending the Life of Your Laptop Battery
Apple - Batteries
MacBook and MacBook Pro- Mac reduces processor speed when battery is removed while operating from an A-C adaptor
Battery University
Apple - Batteries - iPod
Apple - Batteries - iPhone
Apple - Batteries - iPad
Apple Portables- Calibrating your computer's battery for best performance
Mac notebooks- Determining battery cycle count
How to Calibrate Your Mac, iPhone, or iPad Battery | MacBlend

Leaving iPod Plugged in

Hi,
I bought a new iPod classic and an accessory power adaptor to plug it into the wall. Is it okay to leave the iPod plugged in or should I unplug it when it's fully charged?
Sincerely,
Jim

When using iPod at home is it not alright to simply leave it plugged in to the usb 2 on the computer?
Will it not simply "trickle charge" and thus not shorten the life of the lithium battery?
I have read that leaving it in charge mode overnight is fine but what about indefinitely when based at home?

If i keep my computer plugged in all day will that ruin the battery???

if i keep my computer plugged in all day will that ruin the battery???

Absolutely yes, it will ruin it.
*However if you don’t plan on using it for a few hours, turn it OFF (plugged in or otherwise) ..*You don’t want your Macbook both always plugged in AND in sleep mode       (When portable devices are charging and in the on or sleep position, the current that is drawn through the device is called the parasitic load and will alter the dynamics of charge cycle. Battery manufacturers advise against parasitic loading because it induces mini-cycles.)
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
"Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time."
Keeping batteries connected to a charger ensures that periodic "top-ups" do very minor but continuous damage to individual cells, hence Apples recommendation above:   “Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time”, …this is because “Li-ion degrades fastest at high state-of-charge”.
                    This is also the same reason new Apple notebooks are packaged with 50% charges and not 100%.
Keep it plugged in when near a socket so you keep the charging cycles down on your LiPo (lithium polymer) cells / battery, but not plugged in all the time. When not being used for several hours, turn it off.
General rule to remember of Lithium batteries is:
Never drain them LOW & dont always/often store them HIGH
While cycle count is commonly seen to be the “miles” on your Lithium Ion pack cell in your Macbook, which they are, this distinction is not a fine line at all, and it is a big misconception to “count charge cycles”
*A person who has, for example, 300 charge cycles on their battery and is recharging at say 50-60% remaining of a 100% charge has better battery usage and care than another person who has 300 charge cycles at say 15% remaining on a 100% charge.
DoD (depth of discharge) is far more important on the wear and tear on your Macbook battery than any mere charge cycle count. *There is no set “mile” or wear from a charge cycle in general OR in specific.    As such, contrary to popular conception, counting cycles is not conclusive whatsoever, rather the amount of deep DoD on an averaged scale of its use and charging conditions.
                          (as a very rough analogy would be 20,000 hard miles put on a car vs. 80,000 good miles being something similar)
*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
LiPo (lithium polymer, same as in your Macbook) batteries do not need conditioning. However...
A lot of battery experts call the use of Lithium cells the "80% Rule" ...meaning use 80% of the charge or so, then recharge them for longer overall life.
Never let your Macbook go into shutdown and safe mode from loss of power, you can corrupt files that way, and the batteries do not like it.
The only quantified abuse seen to Lithium cells are instances when often the cells are repeatedly drained very low…. key word being "often"
Contrary to what some might say, Lithium 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 don’t take a new car out and speed and rev the engine hard first 100 or so miles.
Proper treatment is still important. Just because LiPo batteries don’t need conditioning in general, does NOT mean they dont have an ideal use / recharge environment. Anything can be abused even if it doesn’t need conditioning.
From Apple on batteries:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1446
http://www.apple.com/batteries/
Storing your MacBook
If you are going to store your MacBook away for an extended period of time, keep it in a cool location (room temperature roughly 22° C or about 72° F). Make certain you have at least a 50% charge on the internal battery of your Macbook if you plan on storing it away for a few months; recharge your battery to 50% or so every six months roughly if being stored away. If you live in a humid environment, keep your Macbook stored in its zippered case to prevent infiltration of humidity on the internals of your Macbook which could lead to corrosion.
Considerations:
Your battery is subject to chemical aging even if not in use. A Lithium battery is aging as soon as its made, regardless.
In a perfect (although impractical) situation, your lithium battery is best idealized swinging back and forth between 20 and 85% SOC (state of charge) roughly.
Further still how you discharge the battery is far more important than how it is either charged or stored short term, and more important long term that cycle counts.
Ultimately counting charge cycles is of little importance. Abuse in discharging (foremost), charging, and storing the battery and how it affects battery chemistry is important and not the ‘odometer’ reading, or cycle counts on the battery.
Everything boils down to battery chemistry long term, and not an arbitrary number, or cycle count.
Keep your macbook plugged in when near a socket since in the near end of long-term life, this is beneficial to the battery.
Peace

Help I have a Macbook 2006 model and I like to play videogames on it, well when I leave it plugged in it gets the best performance, when its not plugged in its decent, so will it hurt my battery if I leave it plugged in at all times?

Help I have a Macbook 2006 model and I like to play videogames on it, well when I leave it plugged in it gets the best performance, when its not plugged in its decent, so will it hurt my battery if I leave it plugged in at all times?

No, it will hurt your battery, but it is not recommended by Apple. Additionally, since you have a model with a removable battery, you should calibrate the battery once a month if you leave it plugged in at all times.
Apple Portables: Calibrating your computer's battery for best ...
www.apple.com/batteries

Is it better to leave my Satellite L850-142 connected to AC output?

I would like to know if it would be better to leave my laptop plugged in to ac output (electricity socket) while I am using it or will this destroy it's battery life?
Thanks.

Hi
The new generation of lithium-ion batteries are not affected by connected AC adaptor.
The old generation of batteries were not very stable but now you use the notebook and the AC adaptor can be still connect to the notebook.

Better to leave computer plugged in or unplugged when sleeping?

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