Although laptops have long been an integral part of the lives of many people around the world, and technology does not stand still, evolving by leaps and bounds, many users still do not know how to properly charge their gadget. They actively use ten-year-old life hacks and believe in myths that have come from the beginning of the century. Today we will discuss what can and cannot be done with a laptop battery, so that in the end you charge the device correctly and it works efficiently for as long as possible.
No need to adjust the battery after purchase
Before full use, the device needs to be discharged to zero, then fully charged, and then repeat the procedure two or three times – this is perhaps the most common myth that was relevant twenty years ago, but certainly not now. Modern batteries are already “smart”, they know their charge and there is no need to “tune” the battery with discharge-charge cycles. A new laptop (like a smartphone or tablet) can simply be taken out of the box, connected to the network and started working – nothing else needs to be done. In fact, it is strongly not recommended to discharge the device to zero – it is harmful.
Do not discharge below 20%
In fact, it is highly not recommended to discharge the battery below 20-30% – after overcoming this mark, the device noticeably loses capacity, so if you discharge the gadget to zero with an enviable frequency, the total capacity will decrease quite quickly. And, accordingly, the laptop will work offline no longer for ten hours, but for eight or seven – and the more often you “drain” the battery, the less its total capacity will be. It is better not to fall below the mark of 30% of the charge, immediately connecting the laptop to power – in this case, the battery will last much longer without losing capacity.
You can work on a constant charge
You can often hear the opinion that you can’t constantly keep your laptop on charge, as this negatively affects the battery and its charge cycles due to short mini-charges. In fact, this is not at all the case – modern laptops, and even ten-year-old models, are able to supply current directly to the system when working from the network, bypassing the battery (laptops with a removable battery can work from the network, even if the battery itself is not installed). This means that when working with a permanent connection to the outlet, the laptop battery is simply not used, so the user does not harm it.
Beware of low temperatures
In office realities or in the field of education in winter, you can see how users enter the room from the street, where the temperature is quite low, and immediately turn on their laptop for work. It is strictly not recommended to do this, since in such situations the battery, and all other components of the system, experience very significant stress due to temperature changes. After you have entered a warm room from a sub-zero temperature, you need to let the device adapt and warm up to room temperature, and only after that turn on the gadget and work with it – otherwise the battery will “die” much faster.
Avoid overheating
Often, users violate the rather banal rules for operating a laptop, which leads to overheating of the internal components of the device. For example, it is not advisable to block the cooling system from accessing air while using a laptop on a bed or sofa. The fact is that at elevated temperatures, mobile computer components may malfunction, be subjected to throttling or excessive load. This, of course, negatively affects the battery – it begins to lose charge faster or even fails. In order not to unnecessarily expose the battery to unnecessary risk, it is better to work on a laptop at comfortable temperatures.
Do not use Chinese chargers
Today, many major brands from China produce more or less high-quality products, but this does not mean at all that all Chinese electronics are worth their money. In addition, you need to understand that charging from little-known brands from the Middle Kingdom can greatly harm the built-in battery of your device. This can be due to a bad voltage controller, overheating of the charging unit, periodic power drops, and even short circuits. It is better not to risk a laptop, preferring more well-known and proven brands with a guarantee and at least some real reviews.
The battery wears out – this is normal
The main advantage of a laptop is its mobility, because the device allows you to perform various tasks anywhere in the world. And it is quite natural that if the laptop is used for its intended purpose, then its battery will gradually wear out. You should not be afraid of this at all – all batteries have their own “shelf life”, expressed in available recharge cycles, but usually the margin of safety is enough for at least several years. For example, some laptops claim 800-1000 recharge cycles, which means that the battery will last at least three years.
Source: Trash Box
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
