Turns out, the answer isn’t entirely straightforward.
So let’s take a look.
This constant flow is also needed to help keep the battery healthy.
Things That Damage Lithium Batteries
The truth about lithium-based batteries is that they are inherently unstable.
They begin to lose capacity from the moment they are produced, and numerous factors hasten their decline.
These include:
The last two points are the ones that we’re most concerned with here.
Image Credit:Battery University
At this level, the battery will have a lifespan of 300-500 discharge cycles.
Unfortunately, at this level, the battery is only around 60% charged.
The runtime will be a little more than half of a fully charged battery.
Image Credit:Battery University
Heat
And then there’s heat.
Simply leaving your laptop in your car on a summer afternoon is a bad idea.
Charged to 100%, the capacity falls to 65% under the same conditions.
For a fully charged battery at 60 degrees, the capacity plummets to 60% in just three months.
The evidence seems clear.
Keeping the battery permanently charged at 100% will slowly shorten its life.
Keeping it at 100% and exposing it to high temperatures will shorten it much quicker.
And remember, these high temperatures are not just environmental.
For the sake of your battery, it’s always a good idea tofix an overheating laptop.
Should You Keep Your Laptop Plugged In?
Does leaving your laptop plugged in ruin the battery?
Yes, it does.
But then so does charging it every day.
It will help extend the lifespan of your battery.
Should You Remove the Battery?
Finally, should you remove the battery altogether when using your laptop on AC power?
It’s a less relevant question than it once was because most laptops now have sealed batteries.
Where they are replaceable, the answer seems to vary from one manufacturer to the next.
It all comes down to the power management setup in the laptop.
This could leave you with subpar performance.
If you do choose to remove the battery, ensure that you store it properly.
This usually means being charged between 40% and 80% and kept at room temperature.
Is It Bad to Keep Your Laptop Plugged In?
And whatever you do, ensure the battery doesn’t get too hot.
