Power to your Mac
Mac Tip#68/21-Aug-2002

Most Tips apply to all users of (recent) Macs, but this week’s Tip is for those with a laptop. If you use a Powerbook or an iBook then you need to keep some things in mind which don’t apply to those who use computers always plugged in to the power.

One of my clients recently emailed me about her new iBook: “What’s the best method to unplug the iBook if you want to take it off and use it on battery? Shut it to sleep and then what?”

Every Powerbook or iBook contains a battery which allows you to work while not connected to a wall outlet. When you plug in or unplug your laptop from the wall there’s a sequence you should follow which can help prevent problems from coming up later on.

To plug in your laptop first insert the plug into the wall outlet and flip the power switch to the “on” position. Now plug the power cord into the laptop.

To unplug just reverse the process: unplug from the computer first and then from the wall.

My client asked about putting the laptop to sleep as part of this process. You don’t need to do that: you can just unplug it and take it away, or bring it back and plug it in without any need to do anything special.

Oh, and be sure not to leave your laptop plugged in to the wall with the wall switch in the off position. If you do that you will drain the battery instead of charging it up.