Batteries in electronic devices have hardly evolved in recent years, a battery continues to suffer from the same problems it has always had and, everything seems to indicate, they will continue to be just as bad in the years to come. In the case of laptops, this is of utmost importance since, for many users, battery is the main reason they chose a mobile device over a desktop computer.
Although the technology that can be found in batteries has not evolved, what has evolved is the technology that can be found in processors, one of the main responsible for battery consumption both laptops and mobile devices, which allowed them to extend their autonomy with the same capacity and maintaining the same composition of the batteries.
The screens have also evolved to reduce battery consumption, although they and the processor have optimized their operation to consume less energywe cannot rely solely on these to extend the life of the battery and, incidentally, prevent it from deteriorating and quickly losing its capacity.
How to extend laptop battery life
If you want to know how to extend the battery life of your laptop, we invite you to continue reading to discover the best tips to achieve this.
- Use a Proper Windows Power Plan. Windows includes 3 default power plans: Energy Saver, Balanced, and Performance. The Economizer plan reduces CPU speed, resulting in lower power consumption. If you don’t need to perform heavy tasks, with this plan you will increase battery life.
- The BIOS also has a power plan. In addition to Windows, the BIOS of some laptops also includes a power plan that works independently of Windows. Although you can combine the Windows power plan with the BIOS power plan, this is not recommended because overall system performance may be greatly affected.
- Don’t overdo the brightness level. Unless using the equipment on the street, the only purpose of increasing the brightness level to maximum is to increase battery consumption. All laptops incorporate two dedicated buttons for increasing and decreasing brightness via function keys. Others include the ability to automatically regulate brightness via a sensor (like mobile devices).
- Close apps you don’t use. Keeping applications open that we are not going to use for the sole purpose of making the computer consume more energy by having a smaller amount of RAM available.
- Limit load to 80%. from BIOS or application. As we mentioned above, batteries have not evolved over the last 20 years. A tip that will help us extend its duration and prevent it from degrading quickly is to limit the battery charge to 80% and prevent it from dropping below 20%, a process that we can do from BIOS or using third-party applications.
- Remove the battery (if possible) if you don’t need it. If we use the laptop at home and very rarely take it out for a walk, as long as the equipment allows it, it is advisable to remove the battery as long as it has a charge greater than 80%. In this way we prevent it from being constantly charged, a process that contributes to reducing its useful life.
- Load equipment in ventilated roomss. During the charging process the battery heats up, so we must do everything possible to avoid charging the device in rooms where it is very hot and, obviously, without contact with direct sunlight.
- Prevents equipment from heating up. Heat is the number 1 danger of any electronic device. Laptops have efficient cooling systems and use air vents on the sides and bottom to expel hot air. The best way to block these outlets is to use the equipment on flat surfaces, without cushions, clothing or any other type of fabric.
