7 Tips For Extending Laptop Battery Life
If you use a laptop at home or for work, you know how convenient it can be. Unlike a desktop, which has to remain plugged in, a laptop can literally go anywhere. Well, almost anywhere.
Since a laptop runs on a battery you aren’t tied to any one location. However, you do have to contend with the issue of how long a charge will last. Plus, the battery itself will eventually run out of charges.
Still, the convenience is well worth these limitations. So what is the average laptop battery life? Is there anything you can do to make it last longer with each use or over a lifetime?
Yes! We offer 7 tips to explain how.
Average Length of a Charge
One of your main concerns when buying or using a laptop is how long will a charge last? Different models and brands offer a range of performance.
Most will last 1-6 hours, although some models are built to last longer. The Asus ExpertBook B9450F has one of the best batteries, and it can go for as long as 16 hours, 29 minutes.
Other contenders when it comes to battery life:
LG Gram 14 = 16 hours, 3 minutes
Samsung Notebook 9 Pro = 12 hours, 30 minutes
Dell XPS 13 9300 = 11 hours, 26 minutes
HP Elite Dragonfly = 11 hours, 26 minutes
Lenovo Yoga C940 = 11 hours, 15 minutes
MacBook Pro 13-inch = 10 hours, 32 minutes
Acer Swift SF714-52T = 9 hours, 50 minutes
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 = 8 hours, 58 minutes
MacBook Pro 16-inch = 8 hours, 2 minutes
Of course, these are best-case scenarios. The length of a charge can be reduced depending on how you’re using the computer. Certain activities drain the battery faster, including:
Running multiple software programs
Active Wi-Fi connection
Screen brightness
Consuming media such as videos, games, music, or video calls
Laptop getting overheated
You can preserve a battery charge by modifying these activities. For instance, turn off the Wi-Fi when you don't need the Internet. Be sure to also close programs you’re not using.
What is the Average Laptop Battery Life?
Of course, you have to plug your laptop in and recharge the battery when it gets low. Unfortunately, it will eventually run out of charges. Most laptop batteries will last anywhere from 2 – 4 years, which equals about 1,000 charges.
Ways to Improve Battery Lifespan
A battery has a finite number of charges. You can’t do anything to change that maximum amount. However, you can take steps to reduce charging cycles, and thus, extend the battery life.
1. Use Battery Saver Mode
Every computer displays the battery level either at the top or bottom of the screen. Laptops will also display power-saving features that you can modify, as needed.
You can turn these features on or change them, even while using the computer. Unless you’re doing intensive work or playing video games, you won’t have trouble performing most everyday tasks.
2. Turn Off or Unplug Peripherals
Peripherals are external devices such as hard drives or web cams. The cables connecting these devices draw power from the battery. If you’re not actively using these devices, unplug them.
3. Don’t Let Your Laptop Die
Contrary to what you might believe, letting a laptop drain is bad for the battery. Most tech experts recommend that you don’t let the battery get below 20%. If you make it a habit of letting the battery get too low, it will eventually reduce the charging capacity altogether.
4. Don’t Keep Your Laptop Plugged In at All Times
This might seem contradictory based on Rule #3. While you don’t want to let your battery get below 20%, it’s also not a good idea to keep your laptop plugged in all the time. This ends up reducing the number of charge cycles.
Some experts recommend that you maintain a battery charge of 20% to 80%.
5. Be Like Goldilocks in Terms of Temperature
Extreme heat or cold is not recommended for computers. Like Goldilocks, laptops prefer an ambient temperature that is “just right”. Either extreme can cause a laptop to work harder, which will drain the battery.
If it happens frequently, the lifespan of your laptop may be affected. Avoid using your laptop in the sun or in very cold rooms.
6. Pay Attention to Your RAM
You can extend battery life by ensuring you have enough RAM. RAM (Random Access Memory) is temporary storage that allows you to open files and run programs. How much RAM do you need? That depends on the tasks you need the computer to perform.
Here’s a rundown on what RAM will get you in terms of performance.
2GB is usually only for budget tablets or perhaps low-end smartphones.
4GB is entry-level memory you’ll find on budget notebooks or laptops. This will work fine when using basic Windows programs or Internet browsers like Chrome or Safari.
8GB is excellent for running Windows or macOS programs, and low-end gaming.
16GB is suitable for professional use and gaming.
32GB-64GB is mainly for professional editors or designers, and serious gaming.
A good everyday laptop should have at least 8GB, although you can find higher-end ones with 12GB, 16GB, or even higher.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro ranges from 16GB to a whopping 64GB, for example. Various PC models, such as the Dell Precision 5530, Razor Blade 15 Studio Edition, and HP Zbook Studio G5 are also great options if you need a lot of RAM.
7. Control Screen Brightness
Although a bright display may be easier to see, it does tend to drain the battery faster. You can change the display settings in your preferences, at least when you’re not using it. You can also change settings so your laptop will switch to power saver mode after a shorter time of not using it.
Make Smart Choices About Your Laptop Battery
The average laptop battery life is finite. However, you can ensure it lasts as long as possible. The 7 tips will help save money on replacing the battery or getting a new computer.
If you’re having an issue with your laptop, we offer expert computer repair. Find directions to one of our shops in the Omaha, NE area. We have locations in Cass Court, Papillion, Southwestern Plaza, and Eagle Run Square.