Laptop batteries are the heart of our mobile computing, allowing us to work, play, and stay connected without being tethered to a power outlet. However, like all batteries, they have a lifespan and will degrade over time. The good news is that there are several strategies you can employ to improve your battery’s health and extend its life.
- Change Your Power Mode: Your laptop’s power mode can significantly impact battery health. For Windows users, adjusting the power mode can help conserve battery life. The ‘Battery Saver’ mode, for instance, is designed to extend battery life by limiting background activity and adjusting hardware settings.
- Monitor Power and Sleep Settings: Check your laptop’s power and sleep settings to ensure it’s not using unnecessary power when idle. Setting a shorter time for the screen to turn off and the system to sleep can save battery life.
- Utilize Battery Saver Features: Both Windows and macOS have built-in features that optimize battery usage. On Windows, the Battery Saver mode kicks in automatically when the battery falls below a certain percentage, reducing background activity and push notifications.
- Adjust Screen Brightness: One of the biggest power drains on a laptop is the display. Reducing the brightness to the lowest comfortable level can help conserve battery power.
- Turn Off Keyboard Backlights: If your laptop has a backlit keyboard, turn it off when not needed. This small change can add up to significant battery savings over time.
- Manage Background Apps: Some applications can run in the background and drain your battery. Disable these or adjust your settings to prevent them from running when not in use.
- Keep It Cool: Batteries are sensitive to temperature. Avoid exposing your laptop to extreme heat or cold, which can accelerate battery degradation.
- Maintain a Charge Range: Try to keep your battery charged between 20% and 80%. This can help maintain battery health better than fully charging and depleting the battery in short cycles.
- Update Your Operating System: Regularly updating your operating system can improve battery life. Updates often include battery optimization features and bug fixes that can help extend battery performance.
- Calibrate Your Battery: If you notice your battery life dropping faster than usual, a calibration might be necessary. This involves fully charging, then completely discharging, and finally recharging your battery to reset the battery’s charge indicator.
- Physical Care: Take care of your laptop’s physical condition. Avoid dropping it or exposing it to physical stress, as this can damage the battery and other components.