Safest way to store a laptop that's rarely used? Plugged in or not?
This applies to all battery appliances.

Appliances are not plugged in when stocked in a warehouse. They are charged to 50% and kept in a somewhat climate controlled environment. As in, no extreme heat or cold.

When you store the laptop, make sure it is powered off, and not in some standby mode. With the best case scenario the battery being unplugged.

The battery will still degrade, even if you do not use it. This is a chemical process that can only be slowed down by keeping it stable and not fully (dis)charged.

You could check, and possibly charge, the device every 6 months or so.

Related: Recommendations from Apple.



Battery fires rarely occur from stable and unused batteries. They occur when:
- Deep discharging
- Fast discharging.
- Overcharging.
- Fast charging.
- Physical damage.
- Heat. (caused by any of the above)