How to Use My MacBook Without a Battery

A MacBook is a laptop computer made by Apple. It has a 13.3-inch screen (measured diagonally), 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and an optical drive. Its battery provides up to seven hours of wireless Web power on a single charge. While the MacBook is designed to be a portable computer, people sometimes use it in a fixed location, such as at their work desk. If you have removed the battery, you can still run the MacBook by connecting it to an AC outlet with the included AC power adapter.

Things You'll Need

• Coin
• AC adapter

Instructions

1. Place the MacBook on a sturdy surface, such as a table or desk.

2. Quit all applications.

3. Click the Apple menu, and then click "Shut Down" to turn off the MacBook.

4. Unplug the power adapter, Ethernet cable and any other cables from the MacBook. Wait 10 minutes if you have been using the MacBook to allow it to cool off.

5. Turn the MacBook over. Insert a coin into the battery latch and turn it a quarter-turn clockwise to unlock the battery. Pull out the battery.

6. Plug one end of the power adapter into the power adapter port on the MacBook and plug the other end of the power adapter into an AC outlet. Turn the MacBook back over and put it on a table.

7. Press the power button and hold it for up to one second, until you hear the startup tone, to turn the MacBook back on.

Tips & Warnings

• The MacBook automatically lowers its processor speed when you operate it without a battery, to prevent the laptop from shutting down if it needs more power than the AC adapter can provide.

References

• Apple: MacBook 13-Inch User Guide (PDF)
• Apple: MacBook -- Technical Specifications
• Apple: MacBook Reduces Processor Speed When Battery Is Removed