What Can be done to extend laptop Battery life?(Explained)

You may be asking yourself “What should I do to extend the life of my laptop battery?”

Or How to use laptop battery more durable? How to adjust the laptop battery to last longer? Well, you are not alone. This is something that many people wonder and wonder about.

Below I will mention a few ways to help laptop batteries last longer, as well as knowledge about laptop batteries.

What is a laptop battery, and how does it work?

A battery is a piece of hardware that powers a laptop so it can function without a power cord being plugged in.

In the principle of operation, a battery is a device that stores electrical energy in the form of chemicals; it can turn chemical energy into an electrical source to power the device.

Let’s now examine the laptop battery’s internal design. A battery on each laptop will usually be composed of three main parts: battery case, battery cell, and battery board.

On the battery, the board is where the information helps the laptop accurately identify the correct battery, and on the board is also where the protection circuits, charging circuits, battery management chips, and jacks are located in contact with a laptop.

Next is the battery cell, a term you must have heard. In simple terms, a cell battery is a combination of batteries linked together; each battery is called a cell.

For example, when we talk about 6-cell tablets, your laptop has six linked batteries. Finally, the battery case, which plays the role of keeping and protecting the battery cell, the board in a tightly linked block, forming a full battery that we often see.

How many types of laptop batteries are there?

1. Nickel-Cadmium Battery (NiCd or NiCad)
2. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery
3. Lithium Ion Battery (Li-ion/ LIB)
4. Lithium Polymer (Li-Po)

Nickel-Cadmium Battery (NiCd or NiCad)

Invented in 1899, NiCd rechargeable battery is used for laptops and other devices such as camcorders and drills.

At the two ends of NiCd batteries, use electrodes made of Nickel Hydroxide at the anode and cadmium metal at the cathode; inside is a liquid alkaline electrolyte solution, usually Potassium Hydroxide.

In terms of advantages, NiCd batteries have long battery life, consistent output voltage, higher energy density, and are lighter and smaller than lead acid batteries. NiCd batteries can also perform well in harsh conditions harsher than other batteries.

The disadvantage of NiCd batteries is that they are highly toxic and not environmentally friendly. In addition, the two components, Nickel and Cadmium, in this battery are also expensive metals, which partly causes the cost of NiCd batteries to be high. Moreover, NiCd batteries also emit a lot of heat, explicitly affecting our use.

One feature of NiCd batteries is the memory effect. This is a rapid decline in life if we do not use the battery correctly.

Specifically, when you charge a Ni-Cd battery with a small charge current or use a rechargeable battery that is not exhausted, some chemical compounds will accumulate at the battery’s negative terminal. If you continue to charge this way, more and more compounds build up and reduce the battery’s ability to store energy.

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries are a type of rechargeable battery similar to Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries, but using an anodic hydride absorbing mixture instead of cadmium, which is a toxic chemical.

The benefit of NiMH batteries is that they have a larger capacity, a less noticeable memory effect, and are more environmentally friendly.

A NiMH battery can have a two to three times larger capacitance than a NiCd battery of the same size.

However, NiMH batteries have a shorter lifespan, are easily damaged by heat if charged for too long, and the battery capacity also decreases after charges.

Lithium Ion Battery (Li-ion/ LIB)

A Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery, usually using electrodes of compounds whose crystalline structure is layered structure compounds.

Then during the process of charging and discharging, Li ions will penetrate and fill the space between these layers, thanks to which a chemical reaction occurs.

The electrode materials with layered crystalline structures commonly used for anodes are transition metal oxide compounds and Li, such as LiCoO2, LiMnO2, etc.; graphite is used for the negative electrode.

Li-ion batteries are often used for mobile electrical devices, the most common rechargeable batteries for portable electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones, cameras, etc.

The advantage of Li-ion batteries is that there is no memory effect for a longer time than conventional batteries; if you use them correctly, they can be charged and used from 500 to 1000 times. And yet, the cost of Li-ion batteries is also relatively cheap, so it is suitable for many devices and widely used in the market.

What about the disadvantages of Li-ion batteries? This is a volatile and flammable battery if we misuse it, and this battery will also gradually decrease in capacity after each charge. Therefore, the battery will also degrade over time whether you use or not use the device.

Lithium Polymer (Li-Po)

Li-Po or Lithium Polymer batteries have the same operating principle as Li-Ion batteries, exchanging Li ions between two electrodes but using a dry polymer electrolyte, similar to a thin plastic film.

This film is sandwiched (actually a foil) between the anode and cathode of the battery allowing ion exchange.

Li-Po batteries are widely used and very popular in electronic devices such as smartphones, high-end tablets, and backup batteries, as well as in other industries such as transportation, aviation, and medicine.

Regarding advantages, Li-Po batteries are light, malleable, and designed in various shapes and sizes.

In addition, Li-Po batteries can also withstand high temperatures, store a lot of energy, last for a long time, and are less prone to deterioration in storage capacity after a long time of not being used.

However, Li-Po batteries also have some disadvantages, such as high production costs and battery life being still reduced after charging/discharging the battery (or improperly charging/discharging / discharging the battery).

Here are some of The secret to increasing laptop battery life effortless and practical: These will allow you to use it more and longer:

1. Turn on battery saving mode on the device
2. Reduce screen resolution and brightness
3. Disconnect any external devices that you do not need.
4. Turn off the keyboard light on the device (if any)
5. Use a wireless mouse and keyboard
6. Use headphones instead of speakers or reduce the volume
7. Turn off background apps
8. Clean and defragment hard drive
9. Let the machine operate in a relaxed environment
10. Upgrade components

Turn on battery-saving mode on the device.

The first step is to enable power-saving modes like Eco Mode or Battery Saver. When these modes are started, the computer will automatically set the change to help keep the power consumption minimum.

The power-saving mode will lower the CPU clock to help save more battery; almost all laptops have this feature, which is quite well optimized.

Reduce screen resolution and brightness

If the work does not require too much detail, you can reduce the screen resolution to the basic level (1,366 x 768) or lower, depending on the screen size, so as not to affect the working process and just fine save energy.

Besides, please set the screen brightness to an average of 50% – 60%, or at a level where the eyes can see well without fatigue.

Because the brighter the screen, the more battery the laptop consumes. The exponential growth of the nits is inversely proportional to the percentage (percent) of the screen.

For example, 10%~12 nits, 50%~70 nits, 100%~287 nits.

* Screen brightness Nit (also known as “luminance”) is the ability of a screen to show light in front of the human eye.

The unit of measurement for screen brightness is “Nit,” which is commonly used to describe different light sources.

Accordingly, 1 nit = 1cd/m2 = equals the amount of light a pixel produces per pixel. For example, A smart TV with a brightness of 1000cd/m2, its brightness is equivalent to 1000 candles emitted per square meter of screen.

Disconnect any external devices that you do not need.

Your laptop is used to power all external devices, whether solely powered by it or used to recharge their internal batteries.

Your laptop’s USB ports will use more power if you plug in things like your phone, external hard drives, or external displays, which will shorten your laptop’s battery life.

Unplug devices to extend the life of your laptop’s battery if you aren’t using them or can charge them elsewhere.

Turn off the keyboard light on the device (if any)

The screen (processed in step 2) and the keyboard backlight are the culprits that consume the most laptop battery.

Unless you are in too low light conditions, you need to turn on the keyboard light; otherwise, turn off the backlight when using it.

Use a wireless mouse and keyboard.

You can also extend battery life by disconnecting your computer from unnecessary peripherals (USB mouse, external drive, etc.) or disabling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microprocessor connections, graphics, and the optical drive that are not in use.

And a point to note: Wired mice and keyboards will use batteries via the USB port, which consumes battery, especially optical mice and keyboards with lights. Choose for yourself a wireless mouse and keyboard combo.

Use headphones instead of speakers or reduce the volume

External speakers will consume a lot of battery capacity, so it’s best to use headphones to save battery and, at the same time, keep the shared workspace unaffected for everyone.

If you don’t have headphones and a comfortable work environment, you want to listen to music, download it instead of listening online. Finally, turn the volume down just enough to hear, not too loud.

Turn off background apps.

In the right corner of the screen, choose to remove unnecessary applications that start with Windows.

Additionally, search should be disabled when not in use to conserve battery life. Examples of such programs include Skype, Yahoo, Antivirus, and Google Desktop.

Clean and defragment the hard drive.

HDDs store data on platters. When the hard drive is fragmented, the data will also be fragmented. Over time, a single file can split into many different parts on the hard drive.

To thoroughly read this file, the computer has to work much harder, consuming more energy.

Cleaning up old files in the download folder and removing junk files and software also helps prolong laptop battery life.

Let the machine operate in a relaxed environment.

The high temperature of the machine also consumes the battery; the cooling fan must operate at total capacity, causing the battery to drain faster, and its lifespan will be shortened. Therefore, always keep the device in a cool, dry place.

It would help if you also gave up the habit of using the computer on blankets, pillows, etc. because these objects have the effect of absorbing and storing heat from the body.

When the computer can’t vent, the cooling fan must work at total capacity and consume more power.

In addition, regular cleaning of the laptop also helps to reduce the temperature of the machine when in use. It is recommended to clean the laptop once every three weeks to run in the best condition.

Upgrade components

If you have financial conditions, you should replace the HDD with an SSD because this is a new hard drive standard, with very little power consumption and high performance.

Same with the amount of RAM. Recommended for computers running 32-bit Windows is 2 GB and Windows 64-bit is 4 GB. The computer will automatically use the hard drive as RAM if this minimal requirement is not met.

As a result, the hard drive works harder, fragmentation occurs, and leads to indiscriminate battery consumption.

Therefore, please upgrade more RAM to make the system more stable, run faster, and increase the laptop’s battery life.

Note: when using laptop battery to avoid battery bottle Include:

Newly purchased laptop battery charger

Usually, sellers recommend users charge and discharge three times for the first time. Using the battery until it is less than 5%, let it charge for 10 hours, doing the same for the first three charges.

Note:

Do not let the device run out of battery entirely. Doing so will be extremely dangerous for the laptop’s battery. Also, a pretty important note, you should not plug in the charger and use it during the first charging.

Plug in the charger whenever

Except for the first three charges, you can plug in the charger whenever you feel it’s appropriate. This will not affect the battery life on the computer, and you can also use it conveniently.

Plug in the charger correctly.

Should you connect the end of the charging cord to the computer before plugging the other end into the power source to charge the battery, or do the opposite? According to many tips from experts, users should connect the power end to an electrical outlet first, then plug the charger into the computer.

Do not use unsuitable chargers.

Each charger is specifically designed for use with a single computer. The device’s battery may suffer if the wrong charger is used, and occasionally an explosion or fire may result.

It would be advantageous if you were careful with how you used and stored your charging cord.

Adjust the battery

You should adjust the battery every two months. Leave your computer battery about 3% or so. Then reboot the machine and access Bios mode by:

• HP-Compaq: F10
• Lenovo: F1
• Sony Vaio: F2
• Acer: F2
• Asus: F2
• Dell: F2
• IBM: F1 or F2
• Toshiba: ESC+ (F1 or F2)

And you wait for the device in Bios mode to turn off automatically. So the laptop battery has been completely discharged. Then fully charge again as method 1.

Clean the machine regularly.

Dirt can affect the contact area between the battery and the laptop. Therefore, you should regularly clean the device with a soft brush or a soft cloth.

Also, with the internals, you can take it to any Computer Hospital to be cleaned.

Keep the battery in a relaxed state.

This way seems to be the most challenging way to do it because if the heat sink on the laptop is not good, the risk of the battery on the computer is more easily damaged.

You should limit bringing the computer to the mattress or bed because these materials may interfere with heat dissipation.

Do not let the laptop power down due to the battery drain

You should not constantly let the laptop battery drain because it can be hazardous to the laptop’s battery. Long-term occurrence of this issue could harm the battery.

Some other battery notes

The battery is flammable and explosive, so you should limit using it while charging or placing the laptop in hard-to-breath areas such as beds and mattresses.

Why choose to choose a genuine charger for the laptop?

In the current information technology boom, devices such as phones and laptops are essential to us.

There are more or less tragic accidents when users save money or lack knowledge to use cheap chargers.

Advantages and disadvantages of genuine laptop chargers

Advantages

• Genuine chargers are manufactured in a factory with modern technology lines and detailed circuit designs calculated by leading engineers.
• Genuine laptop chargers are put into use when undergoing thorough tests.
• Ensure absolute safety for the machine, do not worry about overcurrent or overvoltage. Significantly, the amplitude of fluctuations is too large to affect the foot of components that do not exist in this genuine laptop charging cord.
• No more worries about fire, loss of safety, danger to life, and user property.
• Warranty 1 year 1 for one exchange, say no to repair, replace not enough, not correct for the charger.
• Plugs and charging parameters are suitable for each type of machine specified by the manufacturer.
• The quality of genuine components is 100 times better than the fake ones,
• Proper and sufficient circuit design helps to protect against overvoltage and overload.

Defect

• Higher cost than OEM chargers, (fake)

The way to protect the laptop charger is also to protect the laptop

• You need to check the power outlet to be sure before plugging in the laptop charger; If you see the condition of the ignition tissue, you need to unplug the charger immediately.
• Avoid letting the laptop adapter operate for a long time in an area with a temperature that is too high, above 40 degrees Celsius, as this affects the quality of the charger’s internal components.
• Never
•  leave the charger in a moist environment that could catch fire if combined with long-accumulated dust.
• Do not let the charging cord be clamped, broken, or mouse or insect bites.

• You need to leave the charger in a fixed place and avoid collisions – Especially when the charger is active.

How long can I leave my laptop plugged in?

If you have a modern laptop, it is okay to leave it plugged in overnight. For maximum battery life, newer machines have circuitry built to cycle the battery during prolonged charging.

In contrast, if you have an older model, you should seek advice from the maker. Unplugging after charging to 80%, according to an old rule of thumb, is impossible while you are asleep.

Instructions on how to discharge laptop battery most effectively

Charging a laptop battery is the process by which you fully charge the device’s battery through the Adapter to help the battery supply power for the laptop to work.

And discharging the laptop battery is the process by which you pull out all the power of the laptop battery and let the battery rest for a while.

This is a way to help prolong the life of laptop batteries, which experts recommend regularly doing.

Charging a laptop battery is the process by which you fully charge the device’s battery through the Adapter to help the battery supply power for the laptop to work.

And discharging the laptop battery is the process by which you pull out all the power of the laptop battery and let the battery rest for a while.

This is a way to help prolong the life of laptop batteries, which experts recommend regularly doing.

When buying a new computer or replacing a new laptop battery, experts often remind users to use the battery until it runs out, automatically turn off the computer, plugs it in overnight, and repeat 3-5 times.

First charger. This will help the laptop get 100% battery capacity. Besides, such a laptop’s battery charge-discharge cycle must be carried out regularly after several months.

Therefore, many users often discharge the laptop battery by disconnecting the Adapter, then only use the laptop battery until the battery runs out and the machine automatically turns off.

However, this is not the right way to do it because this way of discharging the laptop battery not only does not discharge all the battery capacity but also harms the machine’s hard drive. This is so because:

– Firstly: The laptop will automatically shut down when the battery is not entirely exhausted because when it is about 2-3% low, not enough to provide power for the laptop to operate, it will automatically power off. So the battery in the device is still there.

– Second: The sudden power off significantly impacts the laptop’s hard drive. This is the leading cause of problematic drive errors or Win errors.

So what is the correct way to discharge the laptop battery?

First, you reset the laptop’s battery mode by:

• Do not use the Adapter
• Click on the battery icon in the right corner of the screen >> Select Power Option >> Edit Plan Settings >> On battery, all items select Never, and increase the screen brightness to the maximum level to drain the battery fast best. Then, leave the computer like that until the battery is only about 3%, then Shutdown.

Next, press the power button on the laptop and quickly press the Bios key before the computer starts to Win.

Since in Bios, the hard drive is not working, having the laptop power off automatically won’t harm them. Each laptop line will have a different key to enter the Bios, for example:

• Asus laptop: F2
• Toshiba Laptop: ESC + (F1 or F2)
• Lenovo Laptop: F1
• Laptop Sony Vaio: F2
• Acer laptop: F2
• Dell Laptop: F2
• HP-Compaq Laptop: F10
• IBM Laptop: F1 or F2

Leave the laptop in the BIOS until it turns off automatically, so the laptop battery is completely drained.

Note:

You should switch your laptop out of hibernation mode and switch to a non-screen off mode to avoid interrupting the laptop battery discharge process.

Instructions to fully charge the laptop battery after fully discharging

Remove the laptop battery from the device after completely draining it to the instructions. Next, store it in a dry location for a few hours so the battery can fully cool.

After that, reinstall the battery in the gadget and leave it plugged in all night to finish charging it completely.

Note that while charging, absolutely do not turn on the device. In addition, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Perform discharge – charge the laptop according to the instructions when you bought the machine; change the laptop battery or repeat about every six months.
• Charge the laptop battery when the device is 15-20%, charge the battery until it is 100% full, then unplug the charger (new models have a self-disconnecting mode so that you can skip this step).
• Do not occasionally charge the laptop battery overnight (except when charging the battery after discharging).

Choosing the ideal laptop battery compatible with your laptop: 

Final Thoughts

You may choose the best laptop battery to last longer by using the information about laptop batteries provided above. This article should have provided helpful advice on choosing a laptop battery and using one.

Related article:

My Computer Keeps Freezing up, What Should I do? (Explained)

[Weblizar id=62]