5 ways you're killing your laptop’s battery without realizing it

Computers get faster and more advanced daily, but that doesn’t mean you should constantly upgrade. Here are essential laptop maintenance tips that’ll keep your rig running smoothly for a long time.

Batteries aren’t meant to last forever. The one in your laptop has a limited lifecycle, just like any other. You don’t want it dying when you’re in the middle of some big project, do you? 

Here are five ways you’re shortening your laptop’s battery life.

1. You wait too long to charge your laptop

If you frequently let your battery entirely run out of juice, it affects the charge-discharge cycle and diminishes its intended lifespan.

Your laptop battery can also lose efficiency in another way. Let’s say you regularly charge your laptop from 30% to 50%, or about 20% each time. Well, do that five times and you’ll have completed one battery cycle because you’ve charged your laptop 100% in total.

A good rule of thumb is to keep your battery charged to at least 40% most of the time. 

2. You charge your laptop too much

Do you keep your laptop plugged in all the time? Battery health can be affected when you leave your device at full charge for prolonged periods. Keeping your battery level close to the middle (40% to 80%) extends battery life.

The official word is to keep your laptop charged — but not fully charged. Also, get in the habit of unplugging your tech after it is fully charged.

RELATED: These laptops have an expiration date

3. You go with the cheapest charging option

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It's important to check your laptop battery's health - here's how

Batteries aren’t meant to last forever, including the battery that powers your laptop. It might seem like the power source that gives life to your device should be the tech equivalent of an everlasting gobstopper, but as with any other battery, your laptop battery has a life cycle that ends at some point.

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Malware alert: Don't plug this USB drive into your computer

If you run a small business, you know it’s essential to bring in new clientele constantly. Tap or click here for three small business tips that will save you time and money.

One trick companies use for outreach is to give out company-branded gifts. These can include a company-branded pen and notepad, a water bottle or the ever-present company keychain.

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Windows 10: Handy trick to shortcut setting up your new PC

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Update now! Facebook Messenger flaw lets hackers into your PC

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