Laptop Care Tips and Tricks: From Scratched Screen to Low Battery

Improves Your Laptop’s Battery Life

Improving laptop battery life is a crucial step to maintain optimal performance when in use. Here are some effective tips to extend the battery life of your laptop.

System Settings

To optimize power settings in Windows and Mac OS, follow these steps:

Windows

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Control Panel.”
2. In the Control Panel, navigate to “System and Security” > “Power Options.”
3. On the “Change plan settings” tab, click “Change advanced power settings”.  Here, you can adjust settings like screen brightness, hard disk shutdown time, and sleep mode according to your needs.

Mac OS

1. Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”

2. In the System Preferences panel, find and open the “Energy Saver” app.

3. Here, you can set the computer’s sleep time, screen brightness at night, as well as other settings that affect energy usage.

Energy Saving Tips

Here are some tips to save energy that can be applied every day:

1. Make sure to remove the CD/DVD from the device when you no longer need it. This can reduce energy consumption because the CD/DVD remains active even when not in use.
2. All USB devices such as mice, external hard drives, and scanners consume power from the laptop battery. Turn off or unplug the device when it’s not in use.
3. Try not to run two applications at the same time, as this can increase energy usage. For example, avoid listening to music while working on a spreadsheet.
4. Adding more RAM can improve the computer’s overall performance and save energy, as the computer does not need to use an additional processor to run applications.
5. Reducing the screen brightness can significantly save energy. You can adjust the screen brightness through the battery icon in the taskbar.
6. Hard disk defragmentation can improve system performance and save energy because data is stored more efficiently.
7. Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections if not needed to save energy.

Troubleshooting battery drain issues

Decreased battery power in laptops is a frequent problem and can interfere with performance. Knowing the type of battery and how to care for it can help extend the battery’s life and prevent more serious problems.

Laptop batteries generally use two types of technology: Ni-Cd (Nickel-Cadmium) and Li-ion (Lithium-Ion).

Ni-Cd (Nickel-Cadmium):

These batteries are an older technology and are often found in older laptop models. They have a problem known as the memory effect, where if the battery is recharged frequently before it is completely discharged, its power storage capacity will decrease. In other words, the battery “remembers” a lower capacity, so it cannot store power to its maximum when recharged.

Li-ion (Lithium-Ion):

These batteries are a more modern technology and are more commonly used in laptops today. They do not experience memory effects, so they can be recharged anytime without worrying about losing capacity. Although it is not affected by the memory effect, it still has limitations on its lifespan and capacity that will decrease over time.

To maintain battery health, especially in Ni-Cd batteries, here are some steps that can be taken:

1. Fill It Up and Empty It Regularly

Make sure to fully charge the battery (100%) and allow the battery to fully discharge at least once in two weeks. This helps to “reset” the battery capacity and prevents memory effects from occurring.

2. Avoid Overcharging

Do not charge the battery too often before it is completely discharged. Try not to repeat charging without letting the battery drain first.

3. Use Power Settings

Make use of the power settings in your operating system to optimize battery usage. For example, enable energy-saving mode when you don’t need maximum performance.

4. Maintain Battery Temperature

Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, as they can damage the cells in the battery. Store the laptop in a cool, dry place when not in use.

5. Check Battery Health Regularly

Use the built-in software or tools to check the health of the battery periodically. If the capacity has decreased drastically, consider replacing the battery with a new one.