Make your laptop battery last longer

Everyday battery life

• Lower the screen brightness. It's the biggest power user.
• Use battery saver (Windows: Settings → System → Power & battery).
• Close apps you're not using, especially piles of browser tabs.
• Turn off the keyboard backlight when you don't need it.

Long-term battery health

• Heat is the enemy. Don't charge on a bed or blanket, or leave the laptop in a hot car.
• Use a charge limit if your laptop has one (many can stop charging at 80%). Great for laptops that are always plugged in.
• Storing it? Leave it around 50% charged.

Check battery health

• Windows: open Command Prompt, type powercfg /batteryreport, and open the report it creates. Compare Full charge capacity with Design capacity.
• Mac: Apple menu → System Settings → Battery → ⓘ next to Battery Health.

Swollen battery?

If the trackpad bulges, the case separates, or it rocks on a table, stop using it and get the battery replaced. Swollen batteries can be dangerous.