a few years ago, replaceable batteries were the usual phenomenon, however, today laptop manufacturers increasingly equip their devices with non-coordinate batteries, which is why it is more important to care for this component - more importantly, than ever. In our guide, we have collected several tips, recommendations and advanced methods that will help extend the battery life of the laptop.
Before we begin, it is important to note that absolutely every laptop is individual. However, our tips apply to most modern devices from large manufacturers. If you have an older laptop - say, five years old and older - you can still use our recommendations to use the battery as efficiently as possible. However, it is still recommended to familiarize yourself with the information about the specific model of the laptop.
Save cycles and battery charge
All batteries For laptops are designed for a certain number of charging cycles. Typically, the indicator is approximately 500 full cycles, and sometimes more. Many do not fully understand the meaning of this term, since the charging cycle is equal to one full discharge up to 0%, and then re-recharge up to 100%. Thus, for example, a discharge up to 50%, and then charging up to 100% is equal to half of the cycle. Each cycle with time reduces the battery capacity compared with the original characteristics. This means that the less often you discharge the battery, the longer it works with other things being equal.
So why start? Well, it is worth going to the power menu of your laptop and find out how the battery works, and what parameters you need to turn on. Also note the modes of hibernation. Ideally, the laptop should go to sleeping before the battery is completely discharged, as well as during idle time when the laptop is not used for some time.
To save the battery even more, see the list of enabled applications and close those that work in with the background and constantly spend the battery charge. For example, Windows 10 offers battery saving function. The mode automatically turns on when the device reaches about 20% of the charge (about why this is especially important we will tell below). The function automatically blocks the background applications and prevents synchronization in some applications, for example, the "calendar" disables the sending of notifications, reduces the brightness of the screen and makes other changes that will eventually save battery charge and increase battery life.
As for MacBook, then try to enable the POWER NAP function to translate the computer into sleep mode. It will also extend battery life. Enabling automatic switching graphics can also help reduce power consumption - the function is to switch to low-graph mode when performing simple tasks (for example, working with text).
In addition, you can make a variety of changes manually. Cloud storage or video players that you do not use can also be safely disabled. It is possible to manually reduce the amount of energy consumed by disconnecting Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, when they are not used, as well as the keyboard backlight. Note that both Microsoft, and Apple have guides to save battery saving.
Unnecessary Recommendations and Tips
Old-timers probably remember the effect called "Battery memory." It is because of it that nickel-metal hydride (NIMH) batteries over time lost a complete container, and could only be charged to a certain percentage (but not fully). The battery seems to "remembered" that in previous cycles of work, its capacity was not fully used.
Fortunately, this problem no longer exists due to modern lithium-ion batteries, but the effect led to a variety of silly tips and care arguments based on outdated information. But it is time to reduce all these rumors for no.
Contrary to some recommendations, you do not need to regularly discharge a lithium-ion battery, and then fully charge it to perform "calibration" - this is, in fact, destructive practices that are pernicious affects the battery!
However, the answer to the question about whether to fulfill full discharge a couple of times a year remains open. In general, by a general opinion, it is best to discharge the battery to about 20%, and then fully charge (if there is such an opportunity).
Many were then told that you should not leave your devices connected to the network, since when you reach 100% charge, the battery is flawed faster. However, the fact is that modern devices stop charging to achieve 100%. Therefore, according to some experts, the connection to the network does not see the battery life.
This also applies to laptops, since the question is quite widely discussed whether it is necessary to leave a laptop connected to the network if it is already charged to 100%. However, there is nothing wrong with to turn off the computer and turn it off from the charger, if it is so more convenient.
But, generally speaking, the best thing you can do to support the lithium-ion battery in good condition is not to discharge it below 20%. Connect to the network and charge the device when you can. The good news is that modern batteries and systems are really "smart", and you, in fact, do not need to do anything. But you still need to wait that the battery will eventually begin to lose the container (it is important to remember that this is still, the consumable material).
Finally, if you are not going to use a laptop for a long time, then you need to discharge or charge it up to 50%. This applies not only to computers, but also any other modern device.
Temperature
When the laptop battery becomes too hot, electrochemical reactions are accelerated inside it However, this does not mean that the battery works more efficiently. The temperature rise suggests that the battery produces too much energy, which it is not able to use and cannot be safely directed to any equipment, which creates even more heat, thereby exacerbating the problem. This not only can ultimately harm the component, but also flashes it due to a variety of chemical reactions.
Modern lithium-ion batteries are durable, but they cannot withstand a huge amount of heat. For example, if you charge the battery, and it begins to heat overly, possibly due to the fact that the CPU or of the video card work for full force, or in a place where the user is located too hot, it is worth turning off the device and Remove the battery, if possible. Give it a "rest" so that it is cooled, or go to the place with a lower air temperature. However, given that many modern laptops are equipped with non-removable batteries, it is strongly recommended to turn off the device and give it to cool if you take care of your battery.
In addition, avoid using a laptop on your knees or beds, since in this case the cooling of the device suffers.
Leave the laptop connected to the network (but not always)
Most modern laptops can To leave without any problems connected to the power grid. In addition, all powerful gaming devices work best from the charger. The most important aspect of the battery status is the discharge cycle. Regardless of how careful you are, the battery in any case deteriorates as charging-discharge. When you start an intensive application, for example, video games, it is necessary to connect a laptop to the charger, which allows you to reduce the amount of discharge cycles.
However, you should not leave a laptop in such a state all the time. Do it only when you run heavy applications. As mentioned, it is better to store the battery charged by 40% -50% than 100% if you do not plan to use the device for a while. Fully charged batteries left unattended, decompose faster, especially at high temperatures.
So, if you are not on the road or use an intensive application, it is recommended to leave the laptop connected to the network. If you perform everyday tasks that consume less energy, for example, viewing web pages, the laptop can cope without any problems, working only from AKB.
Programs to obtain a battery state reports
Yes, to understand how the battery actually works, pretty difficult. For example, devices such as iPhone are equipped with built-in battery service settings and warnings that provide at least information, but the diagnostic data of this type is harder to find on laptops. Therefore, we decided to collect several applications for monitoring the battery to pay attention to.
Batterycare
A small application designed for Windows computers. The tool provides notifications, the processor temperature testimony, monitoring the discharge cycle, container and many other useful information.
Battery Monitor
The tool is created specifically for devices running MacOS and shows the battery charge in a convenient interface with information about the status and cycles of the battery, warnings, battery temperature testimony and tank in one way or another.
The command row of Windows
If you do not want to download any third-party applications, not trouble! For example, you can open the command line on your computer on Windows and enter the "PowerCFG / BatteryReport" command, which will create a separate HTML file on the disk. Open it using a browser, and see a page with full battery information, including recent use, the number of cycles, the history of use and much more.
Energy-saving mode
In Windows 10, there is a special battery charge saving mode. The function helps the battery to work longer at low charge level. In addition, thanks to it, it can be prevented a decrease in the charge of the battery to zero level, which, as we have already said, is harmful to the component.
It is also recommended to use the adaptive brightness mode. It regulates the brightness of the screen according to the surrounding lighting to save the battery charge when you are in a well-lit place. This savings will help with time and will lead to an increase in the battery life of the laptop. In addition, it is also worth thinking about the use of of the dark regime.
Update of the system
A small software note: Be sure to update it. When developing any update, the company is working on improving battery optimization when working with various programs. A newer version of the operating system can consume significantly less than the battery energy, which extends its service life without any changes. Thus, check your OS for updates.
