Using a macbook pro (late 2012) as primary desktop recommended?

Question

I own a macbook pro Late 2012 edition and I am thinking about connecting it to an external monitor and using it as my primary desktop. Is this recommended? I am afraid that it will harm my macbook..especially the battery. Any insight would be appreciated.

Answer 1

If you use an external keyboard, USB or BT (as a desktop computer, you could use USB
and use a powered USB hub for printer, mouse, keyboard, etc and to import from devices
such as cameras, etc) and either get a stand to keep the MacBook Pro on edge out of
the way with the lid closed, or use it on a different stand to keep it up off the desk so air
can flow around it, with display lid open, for maximum cooling & extended/mirror desktop
use of the integrated display along with an external.
The battery should be used on occasion and not overly 'cycled' since it likely is one good
for up to 1,000 cycles of discharge & recharge; but never let it go completely flat or that
would damage its ability to carry a full charge. If I'm not mistaken that model is one with
an integrated or hidden battery behind the bottom plate, so it can't be removed and run;
but then if you did remove a laptop battery, it likely would cause the processor to reduce
speed and be less than optimal specification when you needed it for higher function tasks.
There are articles in Apple Support database on how to care for a portable Mac battery
and also some may be dated in that older models are suggested to be Calibrated on
occasion and the newest batteries (such as those in Retina models) are different. If you
have a MacBook/Pro with non-Retina display, check the support articles to see if that
model, with a built-in SuperDrive, could benefit form Calibration of the battery.
•Apple Portables: Calibrating your computer's battery for best performance
•Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters
•About Apple Notebook Batteries :
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
•About Apple Batteries in general:
http://www.apple.com/batteries/
•Repair ideas for 'out-of-warranty' MagSafe AC Adapters:
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Apple_AC_Adapter
It is a good idea to get a spare power adapter of the correct model for your Mac.
I see there are some that are exact replacement on occasion at OWC macsales.
While in use as a desktop replacement, the computer may work better if you use
USB peripherals as the BlueTooth and other accessories would see less wear;
however that may be subject to a bias against using the built-in items so they
would not have a chance to wear out. Like the internal keyboard, for example.
A USB keyboard works in situations where the BlueTooth may not, and also
is easy to replace, where the built-in one is not easy, nor inexpensive.
Expect to replace the battery before the approximate cycle life is reached,
though it may be possible to exceed 1,000 cycles as noted by some who
have said they did; however you can't be sure how they arrived there. A
matter of use-patterns and careful consideration on what the portable does
in the course of a few years time could make a difference in battery life.
Yet some batteries can go bad without timely cycling and use. But do not
let the batteries go flat, recharge before they get too low so they don't see
any damaging discharge.
With the extended AppleCare plan, an option, the battery is covered for the
total duration of the extended plan. With a built-in battery, that is a fair deal
since the replacement, when covered, includes labor. Some models were
made in such a way as to allow a careful out-of-warranty battery replacement.
Check the online sources such as iFixit to see if after AppleCare, you would
even want to try to replace the internal battery. The AppleStore Genius could
do it for a slight fee over the cost of a replacement battery at that time.
With my (now older) Apple portable computers, I use a laptop stand, USB mouse
and keyboard, powered USB hub, wireless base station with Ethernet option,
both wired and wireless printing, & do not use an external display though I could.
That said, I use a Mini (Late 2005) G4 1.5GHz most of the time. My computers
stay on most of the time, and are allowed to sleep. They have some degree of
protection from power grid ill-effects through use of a power conditioning UPS
that can automatically switch when power goes up or down, and provides some
degree of run-time when the power goes Out. Not a whole bunch, though.
With an external display, and other accessories needed to use the Mac and to
shut it down when the power goes completely out, you may need to use more
than one UPS or uninterruptible power supply, but in some cases it has been
suggested in prior manufacturer publication, to not attach the UPS (whatever
brand) so they use the same wall socket; the excess power is expected to
surge or bypass the UPS and go to the Grounding wire. Be sure there is one.
Anyway, I have a few ideas and due to a few losses from trees hitting lines,
and outages lasting more than a week, with use of 'soft-power' generators,
my experience may vary as could my advice. Plan for the worst and hope...
Good luck & happy computing!