Finding a power socket is often the first thing you do when carrying a laptop to work in a cafe, a coworking space, or an airport, and not every time will you be lucky to find one available. You’ll be forced, then, to rely solely on your laptop battery -- if it still has any juice left. Here are some tips to help your laptop battery last as long as it could.
Some truths about your laptop battery
Batteries in many devices nowadays are lithium-based -- either lithium-ion or lithium-polymer -- so users must take note of the following guidelines for their proper maintenance:
- They can’t be overcharged, even though you leave your battery plugged in for a long period of time. When the battery hits 100%, it’ll stop charging.
- Leaving your battery completely drained will damage it.
- Batteries have limited lifespans. So no matter what you do, yours will age from the very first time you charge it. This is because as time passes, the ions will no longer be able to flow efficiently from the anode to the cathode, thereby reducing its capacity.
What else can degrade your battery
Besides its being naturally prone to deterioration, your battery can degrade due to higher-than-normal voltages, which happens when you keep your battery fully charged at all times. Even though a modern laptop battery cannot be overcharged, doing so will add a stress factor that’ll harm your battery.
Both extremely high temperatures (above 70°F) and low temperatures (between 32-41°F) can also reduce battery capacity and damage its components. The same goes for storing a battery for long periods of time, which can lead to the state of extreme discharge. Another factor is physical damage. Remember that batteries are made up of sensitive materials, and physical collision can damage them.
How to prolong your battery life
Now that you know some facts about your laptop battery, it's time to learn how to delay its demise:
- Never leave your battery completely drained.
- Don’t expose your battery to extremely high or low temperatures.
- If possible, charge your battery at a lower voltage.
- If you need to use your laptop for a long period of time while plugged into a power source, it’s better to remove the battery. This is because a plugged-in laptop generates more heat which will damage your battery.
- When you need to store your battery for a few weeks, you should recharge your battery to 40% and remove it from your laptop for storage.
These are just a few tips on extending the life of your hardware. There are many more ways you can maximize your hardware efficiency and extend its longevity. Call our experts today to find out more!