I recently got my hands on a MacBook Air M3, and I couldn't be happier with it! However, I have some concerns about battery management that I can't seem to get clear answers on. Here are my questions:
1. I have enabled battery optimization. If I keep my MacBook plugged in for a good chunk of the day, will this negatively impact the battery lifespan and performance later on when I actually want to use it unplugged? Will the battery drain faster on its own?
2. How long does it take for the battery to learn that I want to keep it at 80% and charge it fully when I need to?
3. Is using AlDente a good idea?
4. Can I rely on the 35W charger that came with my MacBook, or do I need to invest in a specific charging dock?
Thanks for any insights!
3 Answers
You might be worrying too much. Just enjoy your MacBook! For reference, I have a 2023 MacBook M2 Pro, and I've kept it plugged in most of the time. My battery health is still around 95% after two years of use, and I don’t do anything special to maintain it. You're good to go!
1. If you're using the battery optimization feature, your MacBook will eventually learn your habits and help preserve the battery life. There's not much to worry about!
2. It usually takes about a week or two for the battery to catch on to your routine.
3. AlDente is an option, but it’s probably best to let Apple’s optimization do its thing first and see how it goes. It’s not a must-have.
4. Yes, you can absolutely use the charger that came with your MacBook without needing to buy anything else.
And honestly, don't stress too much about the battery; Apple designs these to last! They can handle at least 1000 charging cycles before you even think about replacing it.
Thanks for the thorough answers! I appreciate it. I'm hoping this helps others with similar questions.
Just use your MacBook! Plug it in when you need to charge or overnight. It's really not worth overthinking every little battery detail.
Haha, you're right! I guess I am overanalyzing things.
That's really reassuring to hear! Thanks for sharing your experience.