Advice on laptop battery life





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{ height:90px;width:728px;box-sizing:border-box;
}







1















I am planning to buy a laptop and, as I have never had a laptop of my own before, I have started to read up on the best way to charge a laptop so as not to damage battery life.

Is it all right to charge it to 100%, unplug the charger, let the battery drain to something like 30% and then repeat? Furthermore, does using the laptop while the charger is plugged in harm the battery? I believe that it doesn't, but I just want to make sure that this is the case.

EDIT: I am referring to Lithium-ion batteries.










share|improve this question









New contributor




JustAnAmateur is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1





    It’s impossible to answer this question. It depends on the battery technology and the charging system. Neither of which we have any information about. You should be able to assume that the manufacturer knows better than you and you should just leave it plugged in and charging unless you need to run it on battery. What is true is that you can only charge and discharge a battery so many times, so that act alone shortens the battery life.

    – Appleoddity
    7 hours ago











  • According to BatteryUniversity, Lithium-ion batteries prefer not to be charged in deep cycles. But if the battery is easily replaceable, and you need the entire capacity, feel free to use it.

    – neverMind9
    7 hours ago











  • I added the fact that I was referring to Lithium-ion batteries. @neverMind9 thank you.

    – JustAnAmateur
    7 hours ago











  • Possible duplicate of Should laptops remain plugged in when their battery is 100% charged?

    – slhck
    3 hours ago


















1















I am planning to buy a laptop and, as I have never had a laptop of my own before, I have started to read up on the best way to charge a laptop so as not to damage battery life.

Is it all right to charge it to 100%, unplug the charger, let the battery drain to something like 30% and then repeat? Furthermore, does using the laptop while the charger is plugged in harm the battery? I believe that it doesn't, but I just want to make sure that this is the case.

EDIT: I am referring to Lithium-ion batteries.










share|improve this question









New contributor




JustAnAmateur is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1





    It’s impossible to answer this question. It depends on the battery technology and the charging system. Neither of which we have any information about. You should be able to assume that the manufacturer knows better than you and you should just leave it plugged in and charging unless you need to run it on battery. What is true is that you can only charge and discharge a battery so many times, so that act alone shortens the battery life.

    – Appleoddity
    7 hours ago











  • According to BatteryUniversity, Lithium-ion batteries prefer not to be charged in deep cycles. But if the battery is easily replaceable, and you need the entire capacity, feel free to use it.

    – neverMind9
    7 hours ago











  • I added the fact that I was referring to Lithium-ion batteries. @neverMind9 thank you.

    – JustAnAmateur
    7 hours ago











  • Possible duplicate of Should laptops remain plugged in when their battery is 100% charged?

    – slhck
    3 hours ago














1












1








1


1






I am planning to buy a laptop and, as I have never had a laptop of my own before, I have started to read up on the best way to charge a laptop so as not to damage battery life.

Is it all right to charge it to 100%, unplug the charger, let the battery drain to something like 30% and then repeat? Furthermore, does using the laptop while the charger is plugged in harm the battery? I believe that it doesn't, but I just want to make sure that this is the case.

EDIT: I am referring to Lithium-ion batteries.










share|improve this question









New contributor




JustAnAmateur is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I am planning to buy a laptop and, as I have never had a laptop of my own before, I have started to read up on the best way to charge a laptop so as not to damage battery life.

Is it all right to charge it to 100%, unplug the charger, let the battery drain to something like 30% and then repeat? Furthermore, does using the laptop while the charger is plugged in harm the battery? I believe that it doesn't, but I just want to make sure that this is the case.

EDIT: I am referring to Lithium-ion batteries.







laptop battery






share|improve this question









New contributor




JustAnAmateur is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




JustAnAmateur is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 7 hours ago







JustAnAmateur













New contributor




JustAnAmateur is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 9 hours ago









JustAnAmateurJustAnAmateur

113




113




New contributor




JustAnAmateur is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





JustAnAmateur is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






JustAnAmateur is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1





    It’s impossible to answer this question. It depends on the battery technology and the charging system. Neither of which we have any information about. You should be able to assume that the manufacturer knows better than you and you should just leave it plugged in and charging unless you need to run it on battery. What is true is that you can only charge and discharge a battery so many times, so that act alone shortens the battery life.

    – Appleoddity
    7 hours ago











  • According to BatteryUniversity, Lithium-ion batteries prefer not to be charged in deep cycles. But if the battery is easily replaceable, and you need the entire capacity, feel free to use it.

    – neverMind9
    7 hours ago











  • I added the fact that I was referring to Lithium-ion batteries. @neverMind9 thank you.

    – JustAnAmateur
    7 hours ago











  • Possible duplicate of Should laptops remain plugged in when their battery is 100% charged?

    – slhck
    3 hours ago














  • 1





    It’s impossible to answer this question. It depends on the battery technology and the charging system. Neither of which we have any information about. You should be able to assume that the manufacturer knows better than you and you should just leave it plugged in and charging unless you need to run it on battery. What is true is that you can only charge and discharge a battery so many times, so that act alone shortens the battery life.

    – Appleoddity
    7 hours ago











  • According to BatteryUniversity, Lithium-ion batteries prefer not to be charged in deep cycles. But if the battery is easily replaceable, and you need the entire capacity, feel free to use it.

    – neverMind9
    7 hours ago











  • I added the fact that I was referring to Lithium-ion batteries. @neverMind9 thank you.

    – JustAnAmateur
    7 hours ago











  • Possible duplicate of Should laptops remain plugged in when their battery is 100% charged?

    – slhck
    3 hours ago








1




1





It’s impossible to answer this question. It depends on the battery technology and the charging system. Neither of which we have any information about. You should be able to assume that the manufacturer knows better than you and you should just leave it plugged in and charging unless you need to run it on battery. What is true is that you can only charge and discharge a battery so many times, so that act alone shortens the battery life.

– Appleoddity
7 hours ago





It’s impossible to answer this question. It depends on the battery technology and the charging system. Neither of which we have any information about. You should be able to assume that the manufacturer knows better than you and you should just leave it plugged in and charging unless you need to run it on battery. What is true is that you can only charge and discharge a battery so many times, so that act alone shortens the battery life.

– Appleoddity
7 hours ago













According to BatteryUniversity, Lithium-ion batteries prefer not to be charged in deep cycles. But if the battery is easily replaceable, and you need the entire capacity, feel free to use it.

– neverMind9
7 hours ago





According to BatteryUniversity, Lithium-ion batteries prefer not to be charged in deep cycles. But if the battery is easily replaceable, and you need the entire capacity, feel free to use it.

– neverMind9
7 hours ago













I added the fact that I was referring to Lithium-ion batteries. @neverMind9 thank you.

– JustAnAmateur
7 hours ago





I added the fact that I was referring to Lithium-ion batteries. @neverMind9 thank you.

– JustAnAmateur
7 hours ago













Possible duplicate of Should laptops remain plugged in when their battery is 100% charged?

– slhck
3 hours ago





Possible duplicate of Should laptops remain plugged in when their battery is 100% charged?

– slhck
3 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















2














You need to know that:




  • Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries have a limited life and will gradually lose
    their capacity to hold a charge, and this is irreversible.

  • Lithium-Ion batteries continue to slowly discharge (self-discharge) even when
    not in use or while in storage.

  • Avoid completely discharging batteries.

  • Lithium-ion batteries don't like being charged all the way up and run all the
    way down. Better to do little recharging here and there.

  • Experts advise that after 30 charges, you should allow lithium-ion batteries
    to almost completely discharge once, but never totally.
    (But I don't think that most people bother with it.)

  • You can leave your laptop plugged in all the time, and you cannot
    overcharge it. Most laptops are smart enough to cut the battery out of
    charging once it's full.






share|improve this answer
























  • So even when the battery is at 100% I can still leave it plugged in and cause no harm?Would this be better than unplugging it and recharching it later?

    – JustAnAmateur
    6 hours ago








  • 1





    According to the usual advice, you may leave it connected. However, for long periods it might be safer to disconnect to avoid power surges. For very long periods, the battery might self-discharge, and it's said that if it becomes too low it might suffer or even die.

    – harrymc
    6 hours ago



















1














@Harrymc answer us largely correct, but there are additional things yoy may wish to consider -




  • Lithium batteries age even when not in use - how much depends on temperature and how full it is.

  • Some laptops will allow you to set a maximum charge percentage (in BIOS). A maximum charge of less then say 75% will greatly prolong the life of your battery. You should use this if your laptop is normally left plugged in.

  • Using the charger while battery is plugged in wont typically damage the battery and can prolong the systems life by preventing it from discharging and needing to be recharged. Be aware of CHARGING the battery while using the laptop. This will work fine but can generate more heat - and heat is not ideal for a lithium battery.






share|improve this answer
























    Your Answer








    StackExchange.ready(function() {
    var channelOptions = {
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "3"
    };
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
    createEditor();
    });
    }
    else {
    createEditor();
    }
    });

    function createEditor() {
    StackExchange.prepareEditor({
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
    convertImagesToLinks: true,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: 10,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader: {
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    },
    onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    });


    }
    });






    JustAnAmateur is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










    draft saved

    draft discarded


















    StackExchange.ready(
    function () {
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fsuperuser.com%2fquestions%2f1430655%2fadvice-on-laptop-battery-life%23new-answer', 'question_page');
    }
    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown

























    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    2














    You need to know that:




    • Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries have a limited life and will gradually lose
      their capacity to hold a charge, and this is irreversible.

    • Lithium-Ion batteries continue to slowly discharge (self-discharge) even when
      not in use or while in storage.

    • Avoid completely discharging batteries.

    • Lithium-ion batteries don't like being charged all the way up and run all the
      way down. Better to do little recharging here and there.

    • Experts advise that after 30 charges, you should allow lithium-ion batteries
      to almost completely discharge once, but never totally.
      (But I don't think that most people bother with it.)

    • You can leave your laptop plugged in all the time, and you cannot
      overcharge it. Most laptops are smart enough to cut the battery out of
      charging once it's full.






    share|improve this answer
























    • So even when the battery is at 100% I can still leave it plugged in and cause no harm?Would this be better than unplugging it and recharching it later?

      – JustAnAmateur
      6 hours ago








    • 1





      According to the usual advice, you may leave it connected. However, for long periods it might be safer to disconnect to avoid power surges. For very long periods, the battery might self-discharge, and it's said that if it becomes too low it might suffer or even die.

      – harrymc
      6 hours ago
















    2














    You need to know that:




    • Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries have a limited life and will gradually lose
      their capacity to hold a charge, and this is irreversible.

    • Lithium-Ion batteries continue to slowly discharge (self-discharge) even when
      not in use or while in storage.

    • Avoid completely discharging batteries.

    • Lithium-ion batteries don't like being charged all the way up and run all the
      way down. Better to do little recharging here and there.

    • Experts advise that after 30 charges, you should allow lithium-ion batteries
      to almost completely discharge once, but never totally.
      (But I don't think that most people bother with it.)

    • You can leave your laptop plugged in all the time, and you cannot
      overcharge it. Most laptops are smart enough to cut the battery out of
      charging once it's full.






    share|improve this answer
























    • So even when the battery is at 100% I can still leave it plugged in and cause no harm?Would this be better than unplugging it and recharching it later?

      – JustAnAmateur
      6 hours ago








    • 1





      According to the usual advice, you may leave it connected. However, for long periods it might be safer to disconnect to avoid power surges. For very long periods, the battery might self-discharge, and it's said that if it becomes too low it might suffer or even die.

      – harrymc
      6 hours ago














    2












    2








    2







    You need to know that:




    • Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries have a limited life and will gradually lose
      their capacity to hold a charge, and this is irreversible.

    • Lithium-Ion batteries continue to slowly discharge (self-discharge) even when
      not in use or while in storage.

    • Avoid completely discharging batteries.

    • Lithium-ion batteries don't like being charged all the way up and run all the
      way down. Better to do little recharging here and there.

    • Experts advise that after 30 charges, you should allow lithium-ion batteries
      to almost completely discharge once, but never totally.
      (But I don't think that most people bother with it.)

    • You can leave your laptop plugged in all the time, and you cannot
      overcharge it. Most laptops are smart enough to cut the battery out of
      charging once it's full.






    share|improve this answer













    You need to know that:




    • Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries have a limited life and will gradually lose
      their capacity to hold a charge, and this is irreversible.

    • Lithium-Ion batteries continue to slowly discharge (self-discharge) even when
      not in use or while in storage.

    • Avoid completely discharging batteries.

    • Lithium-ion batteries don't like being charged all the way up and run all the
      way down. Better to do little recharging here and there.

    • Experts advise that after 30 charges, you should allow lithium-ion batteries
      to almost completely discharge once, but never totally.
      (But I don't think that most people bother with it.)

    • You can leave your laptop plugged in all the time, and you cannot
      overcharge it. Most laptops are smart enough to cut the battery out of
      charging once it's full.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 6 hours ago









    harrymcharrymc

    266k14278585




    266k14278585













    • So even when the battery is at 100% I can still leave it plugged in and cause no harm?Would this be better than unplugging it and recharching it later?

      – JustAnAmateur
      6 hours ago








    • 1





      According to the usual advice, you may leave it connected. However, for long periods it might be safer to disconnect to avoid power surges. For very long periods, the battery might self-discharge, and it's said that if it becomes too low it might suffer or even die.

      – harrymc
      6 hours ago



















    • So even when the battery is at 100% I can still leave it plugged in and cause no harm?Would this be better than unplugging it and recharching it later?

      – JustAnAmateur
      6 hours ago








    • 1





      According to the usual advice, you may leave it connected. However, for long periods it might be safer to disconnect to avoid power surges. For very long periods, the battery might self-discharge, and it's said that if it becomes too low it might suffer or even die.

      – harrymc
      6 hours ago

















    So even when the battery is at 100% I can still leave it plugged in and cause no harm?Would this be better than unplugging it and recharching it later?

    – JustAnAmateur
    6 hours ago







    So even when the battery is at 100% I can still leave it plugged in and cause no harm?Would this be better than unplugging it and recharching it later?

    – JustAnAmateur
    6 hours ago






    1




    1





    According to the usual advice, you may leave it connected. However, for long periods it might be safer to disconnect to avoid power surges. For very long periods, the battery might self-discharge, and it's said that if it becomes too low it might suffer or even die.

    – harrymc
    6 hours ago





    According to the usual advice, you may leave it connected. However, for long periods it might be safer to disconnect to avoid power surges. For very long periods, the battery might self-discharge, and it's said that if it becomes too low it might suffer or even die.

    – harrymc
    6 hours ago













    1














    @Harrymc answer us largely correct, but there are additional things yoy may wish to consider -




    • Lithium batteries age even when not in use - how much depends on temperature and how full it is.

    • Some laptops will allow you to set a maximum charge percentage (in BIOS). A maximum charge of less then say 75% will greatly prolong the life of your battery. You should use this if your laptop is normally left plugged in.

    • Using the charger while battery is plugged in wont typically damage the battery and can prolong the systems life by preventing it from discharging and needing to be recharged. Be aware of CHARGING the battery while using the laptop. This will work fine but can generate more heat - and heat is not ideal for a lithium battery.






    share|improve this answer




























      1














      @Harrymc answer us largely correct, but there are additional things yoy may wish to consider -




      • Lithium batteries age even when not in use - how much depends on temperature and how full it is.

      • Some laptops will allow you to set a maximum charge percentage (in BIOS). A maximum charge of less then say 75% will greatly prolong the life of your battery. You should use this if your laptop is normally left plugged in.

      • Using the charger while battery is plugged in wont typically damage the battery and can prolong the systems life by preventing it from discharging and needing to be recharged. Be aware of CHARGING the battery while using the laptop. This will work fine but can generate more heat - and heat is not ideal for a lithium battery.






      share|improve this answer


























        1












        1








        1







        @Harrymc answer us largely correct, but there are additional things yoy may wish to consider -




        • Lithium batteries age even when not in use - how much depends on temperature and how full it is.

        • Some laptops will allow you to set a maximum charge percentage (in BIOS). A maximum charge of less then say 75% will greatly prolong the life of your battery. You should use this if your laptop is normally left plugged in.

        • Using the charger while battery is plugged in wont typically damage the battery and can prolong the systems life by preventing it from discharging and needing to be recharged. Be aware of CHARGING the battery while using the laptop. This will work fine but can generate more heat - and heat is not ideal for a lithium battery.






        share|improve this answer













        @Harrymc answer us largely correct, but there are additional things yoy may wish to consider -




        • Lithium batteries age even when not in use - how much depends on temperature and how full it is.

        • Some laptops will allow you to set a maximum charge percentage (in BIOS). A maximum charge of less then say 75% will greatly prolong the life of your battery. You should use this if your laptop is normally left plugged in.

        • Using the charger while battery is plugged in wont typically damage the battery and can prolong the systems life by preventing it from discharging and needing to be recharged. Be aware of CHARGING the battery while using the laptop. This will work fine but can generate more heat - and heat is not ideal for a lithium battery.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 3 hours ago









        davidgodavidgo

        45.1k75392




        45.1k75392






















            JustAnAmateur is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










            draft saved

            draft discarded


















            JustAnAmateur is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













            JustAnAmateur is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












            JustAnAmateur is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















            Thanks for contributing an answer to Super User!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fsuperuser.com%2fquestions%2f1430655%2fadvice-on-laptop-battery-life%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown







            Popular posts from this blog

            What are all the squawk codes?

            What are differences between VBoxVGA, VMSVGA and VBoxSVGA in VirtualBox?

            Hudsonelva