more questions about the MacBook Pro, Core i5, 2.8 GHz (I5-4308U), model A1502 (EMC 2875), a model where I cannot disconnect the battery, because the whole case is closed, a model Im going to use to experiment with mac and create a partition to install a linux distro alongside the mac os.

My favorite notebook is a one that lets me take the battery off if I don’t need it. This way I’ve been able to need just one battery in the last 8 years. Regarding the mac, I’m going to need a new battery (it lasts 5 hours the most) and don’t want to waste charging cycles.

My question is twofold:

  • Is there any linux program that lets me manage the battery so I can choose to rely solely on outlet power, even if I cannot physically remove the battery?

  • the same question for mac.

  • @gaiussabinus
    4•9 months ago

    You are not wasting charge cycles by leaving the battery plugged in. it is not being held at optimal charge for storage but it will last a lot longer plugged in.

    It would be the worlds stupidest engineer that would design a power circuit attached to a potential class d fire hazard that had access from anything other that possibly contact pads on the controller itself. If i were a bad actor and the os has a way to access the charging circuit i would firebomb your house by telling the controller the battery is empty and have it over charge. This would be bad.

    Note: I see that apple may have done the dumb and i am facepalming

    • @Zak
      1•9 months ago

      There are a number of commands an operating system can safely give to the charge controller. Examples include:

      • Run the device from external power; do not charge the battery
      • Limit/taper charge to X percent/voltage (assuming X is under the maximum)
      • Limit the charge rate to (something under the maximum)

      Lower-level control could potentially allow extremely dangerous operations like unbalancing the cells or overcharging the battery, which would be bad.