Use it or lose it... well sooner than later, rather
It’s a sad fact of life, but batteries die. The OEM giveth, and the OEM...taketh? Any how, whether your device has a NiMh, NiCad, Li-ion or LiPo, your battery’s capacity will degrade over time until it will hold no charge. But what can we do to extend the life of our precious providers of power? Here I’m going to explain the do’s and don’t’s of notebook batteries.
Discharge Now or Dispose Sooner
Today’s Apple portables sport super-efficient Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) batteries. As with most battery chemistries, these will require a bit of upkeep by you, the user.
Many people leave their MacBooks constantly plugged in at a desk and rarely venture away from a power socket. I’ve personally encountered some users that seemed almost paranoid of the battery falling below 90%. This is anything but beneficial to your battery. Apple advertises that the new notebook batteries should last five years or more, depending on usage. Does that guarantee they will last so long? Not at all, but there are ways you can get the most out of your battery.
LiPo batteries must be used! Used as in charged and discharged, keeping the electrons flowing, and allowing your Mac to calibrate it’s capacity rating of your battery, which is important as you’ll read.
Your Mac calculates how it should charge your battery and how it can expect the battery to perform due to past performance. To keep these calculations accurate, and thus give your battery the best possible treatment, you must simply use it.
Every month or so, you should unplug the Mac and allow the battery to drain. You don’t have to drain it entirely, but using it for more than an hour will allow your Mac to better estimate the “juice” and what it can expect as far as longevity.
Your Mac's Workout Routine
2011 and later Mac portables are pre-calibrated, so the often-mentioned initial calibration is not necessary. However a calibration should be performed monthly or bi-monthly. Here's how!
First, charge the battery to full capacity.
Once the battery stops charging and the light on the magsafe turns green, you should unplug the cable. We have to discharge the battery completely, so now is the time to see how many HD YouTube videos you can open at the same time and take Photo Booth pictures to post on your FaceBook wall.
[Notice it says “once the battery stops charging” and not when it is full. If your light on your magsafe is green and your battery is under 100% but above 93%, this is completely normal and in-fact conducive of your battery’s performance]
Allow the battery to deplete until the Mac forcibly shuts down, then allow it to sit for at least six hours to deplete the charge entirely. It’s a good idea to plan this immediately before bed-time.
After the six-hour period, you can plug the magsafe into the Mac again and allow it to charge for about ten minutes before starting it up.
Again, allow the battery to charge until the light turns green, and your Mac is now calibrated to charge and use your battery efficiently.
Good job! Cookies in the lobby and your choice of Disney® Princess or Hot Wheels® stickers. Please only take one!
Don't forget to comment below, follow at the top, and email me questions! No sign up required!
No comments:
Post a Comment