Hi,

Just saw a youTube video on getting the best performance from laptop batteries on the newer Macs.

I'm running a mid-2012 MBP, and will be adding a Newertech 74W to replace the current Apple battery which has 1240 cycles.

My usual routine is to leave the charger plugged in while working (8-10 hours a day), which means it's always at 100%. Once a month or so, I unplug and let it run down to about 15%, then plug it in again and charge until full.

I'm curious if anyone here has had good results with the batteries on older machines, by doing something differently.

When I upgrade to a new MBP later this year or early next, maybe any battery concerns go away, but I'm looking to optimize right now.

Thanks.

Do you ever use it on battery only? It doesnt really sound like it.

Assuming the steps you listed are the "best" -- not sure what it might gain you in the long run... 1-2% better?

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Use the battery more often is a good first practice.

More info: you get the most total cycles on a battery (not runtine per charge) in Lithium batteries charging them from 65 to 75%, running it down to 65% again and repeat. Obviously this is useless for everyone but shows what the battery likes best.

So the closer you get to that crazy ideal will be best for the battery, long-term. I generally target discharging to ~35% and charging back to ~85% on my phones. With laptops you really can't avoid 100% too much (unless you own a Dell which has a charge limiting feature - this is a fantastic option, kudos to Dell), so I just go 35% to 100%.

I have a new NewerTech replacement battery in my 2015 13" MBPro and because it gets use on the battery all the time, once I unplug it I just run it down to ~35% and plug it in again at my next convenience. If I happen to be using it as it gets to 85% charged, sometimes I'll just take it off charge again and go on battery. Otherwise it charges to 100% until I need to roam with it again.

OWC should supply battery calibration instructions with the new battery. Typically after you install the new battery, you’ll charge to 100% and then run the battery until the computer turns off, then recharging to 100% to calibrate.

I don’t think it’s necessary to discharge/recharge on a monthly basis with modern lithium ion batteries.

Thanks guys!

As always, solid information gained on this board.

Much appreciated.

My MBP is about 18mo old and already says "service battery" it's plugged in 95% of the time.

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