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With so much focus on our iPhones, it’s easy to forget that your MacBook also deserves plenty of love and attention. A lot of people prefer these workhorses for writing and heavy-duty projects. Caring for devices generally requires paying attention to how you charge this device to ensure its battery is up to task. This is the one mistake you should never make when charging your MacBook, according to Apple experts.
One of the most common mistakes that people make when it comes to their MacBooks is not leaving it plugged in, says Tech Expert Atta Ur Rehman, content manager at Gun Made. “There are a large number of people who believe that leaving your MacBook plugged in overnight or for longer durations damages your MacBook battery, however, as an expert in the field, I can confirm that this is not the case and is actually the other way around,” Ur Rehman says. “Like everyone else, if you want to preserve your MacBook’s battery life you need to keep it plugged in as much as possible.”
MacBooks are designed with custom circuits to prevent the battery from overcharging, Ur Rehman explains, which means there is no need to worry about keeping your laptop plugged in for too long. “Matter of fact, the more important factor to consider is to minimize the cycles (full drain of battery followed by a full charge),” Ur Rehman says. “However, partial charges do count in the cycle as well. Thus, it is advised by experts to rather keep your MacBook plugged in for longer durations than charging it multiple times to minimize the cycles, hence increasing and maintaining the battery life and health.”
And while you are charging your MacBook, Tech Expert Abby Hau, head of marketing at WellPCB, notes that it’s important to keep an eye on your charging cables. “When charging that laptop, you should never let the power cord bend or get tangled,” Hau says. “Unlike adapter for other brands, these adapter cables are susceptible to strain when charging. If the line is strained from twisting during use, it overheats to the point of smoking if not fixed in time. This automatically calls for a new original adapter. A generic adapter may damage the PC or even void the Mac’s warranty.”
One last thing to avoid? Draining your MacBook’s battery completely. “Running the battery empty damages the electrodes irreversibly,” Hau says. “Perhaps you now understand why the battery cycles keep getting shorter if you’ve been letting the Mac run out of juice entirely.”
Just a few simple steps can make all of the difference when it comes to keeping your MacBook running well.
