Is there any harm in leaving the laptop plugged into AC power at all times?

jej2
jej2 Member Posts: 10

Tinkerer

edited March 2023 in 2017 Archives

As the topic says, I was just curious becase my old laptop had a feature where it wouldn't fully charge the battery when plugged in to help prolong the life of it. I don't see any such option for the helios laptops and was wondering if it would harm the battery to leave it plugged in all the time. 

Answers

  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    I don't think it will cause any harm, because after all the laptop is intended to be gamed on, while connected to charger. Actually Acer recommends to keep the laptop always charging, when it is possible.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


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    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • jej2
    jej2 Member Posts: 10

    Tinkerer

    Thanks, that makes sense. Can you show me where Acer recommends that if you have a specific source? Not that I don't believe it I just want to read anything that they might say about it
  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    I don't remember to be honest, but I don't agree much with that keeping the laptop constantly being connected to AC doesn't harm the battery. With every charging the battery life reduces. I don't think there is best way to keep the battery life as long as possible.

    For example when battery is charging there will be a time when it will get fully charged, so even if you have a charger connected it won't add any more charge to the battery. You can't play games while on battery, because the performance of the GPU and CPU will be half.. There is no way to make them work on max performance while on battery. That is why I think it is reasonable and there could be something saving the battery life when constantly connected to AC. What is worst for the battery is when it is completely drained.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    I found it. It is actually the opposite, keeping it constantly charging can reduce battery life, my bad. I probably haven't read the last paragraph, but read only about optimising battery life.

    Here is the link, so you can see for yourself:
    https://us.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2384/~/how-to-charge-and-care-for-your-acer-battery
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • jej2
    jej2 Member Posts: 10

    Tinkerer

    A little confusing as it says: 

     

    Optimizing battery life

    • Use AC power whenever possible, reserving battery for mobile use.

    and then 

     

    Conditions that can adversely affect the battery

    • Using the computer on constant AC power.
  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    We can say its both. If laptop is off there is no need to be connected to charger when already fully charged.

    What I have noticed and know is that, when my laptop is idle, fully charged and AC connected, the power brick doesn't generate any heat, meaning it is also idle. While gaming and laptop is charging it gets hot. The way these chargers are made is to deliver power when the device asks for it. So when battery is fully charged the device asks for power from the AC, enough to keep the battery fully charged, so there is no danger for the battery to get overcharged or something else that can harm the battery.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!