A laptop screen lasts about 7 years, the processor’s useful life is around 4 years, and warranties on SSDs are rarely over 5 years. Batteries require constant attention, or they’ll be the first to bid farewell and head to the dump. Other components deserve care as well. It’s important to avoid common mistakes, charge the laptop properly, and use various hacks.
Let’s find out how to keep our reliable workhorse running for as long as possible.
Key Mistakes That Shorten a Laptop’s Life
Shortening a laptop’s life is as easy as oversleeping for work. Despite the internet’s wealth of information, many users make a series of mistakes:
- Keeping the laptop always plugged in. Over time, this drains battery capacity.
- Placing the laptop on laps or soft surfaces. This kills the battery, regardless of the OS. Airflow is blocked, preventing fans from cooling effectively, leading to overheating and irreversible damage to sensitive components.
- Delaying updates. When the device asks, “Now or later?”, we often think “Later.” Time passes, system security weakens, and vulnerabilities and crashes appear.
- Skipping regular cleaning. No one forbids adults from snacking by laptop while working, betting at 22Bet or just chatting with friends. But crumbs create issues, from squeaky keys to serious malfunctions.
- Operating without backups but with full storage. Not everyone cleans up their disk in time, which slows down the system. Crashes and data loss may occur, and without a backup, it’s game over.
Why Not Charge the Battery to 100%?
It’s better not to charge a laptop above 80%. A full charge adds extra strain on the battery. Worse than a full charge is leaving the laptop plugged in when the battery is full. Yes, charging stops, but when the level drops slightly, it resumes. This back-and-forth strains the battery. For similar reasons, avoid letting the charge drop below 40%.
How to manage it? Apple fans are lucky. MacBooks with macOS 10.15.5 and later can optimize battery health, keeping the charge below 80% even while plugged in:
- Go to System Preferences.
- Select Energy Saver.
- Click Battery.
- Enable Optimized Battery Charging.
Windows laptops don’t have this exact setting, but you can tweak power settings to prolong battery life:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
- Select Additional troubleshooters.
- Click Run the troubleshooter next to Power. This fixes issues and optimizes power settings if possible.
Tips to Extend Battery Life
To give the battery a break, reduce the load on it:
- Once a month, unplug the laptop and discharge it to about 20%.
- Charge it up to 80-90%, maintaining the charge within this range.
- Place the device on hard surfaces — there are even special laptop tables with cooling fans for cozy couch work.
- Clean ventilation slots regularly to prevent dust clogs that hinder cooling.
- Avoid overheating or overcooling. Most lithium-ion batteries work best at around 20°C. It may be tough, but try not to use the laptop in direct sunlight — or extreme cold, which is also not perfect.
Read the manual! Few people do, but it often includes storage requirements. If a laptop will sit unused for a few months, it’s best to charge it to 40–50% for storage.
Proper connection sequence: It actually matters whether you plug the adapter or the laptop first. First, connect the charger parts, then plug the cable into the laptop, and only then plug it into the socket.
If possible, charge the laptop while it’s off.
Some Extra Hacks
Ensure Proper Transportation
Transport with care, especially in extreme heat or cold. Use a high-quality laptop bag or backpack with protection from shocks, overheating, or freezing.
Humidify the Air
In rooms with dry air, static electricity builds up quickly, leading to mild shocks for us and potentially serious consequences for laptops. It’s wise to humidify, especially in winter when radiators and heaters dry the air.
