Laptop batteries are an indispensable element of portable computing devices like laptops. Their portability makes them convenient, without needing an electricity source nearby to use the device. But like all batteries, laptop batteries do have limited lifespan and performance will degrade over time; knowing how long yours is expected to last will allow you to better manage its power use while prolonging its battery lifespan.
In this guide, we will demonstrate various approaches for estimating how long your laptop battery will last – built-in battery health tools, third-party software and manual calculations will all play an essential part. Furthermore, there will also be tips provided as a means of prolonging its lifespan.
Built-in Battery Health Tools
Most modern laptops come with built-in battery health tools that allow you to view the status of your laptop battery. This section will show you how to access and use these tools on both Windows and Mac laptops.
Windows Laptops
The built-in battery health tool on Windows laptops is called the Battery Report. It provides detailed information on your laptop’s battery usage and health. Here’s how to generate a Battery Report:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt with Administrator privileges. To do this, click on the Start menu, type “cmd,” right-click on Command Prompt, and select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
Step 2: Type “powercfg /batteryreport” in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
Step 3: This will generate a Battery Report in HTML format, which you can view in your web browser. To access the report, navigate to the following directory: C:\Windows\System32\BatteryReport.html.
The Battery Report provides information on your laptop’s battery life estimates, capacity history, usage history, and battery health. It also includes a detailed battery usage graph that shows how your laptop’s battery discharges over time.
Mac Laptops
The built-in battery health tool on Mac laptops is called the Battery Status menu. It provides real-time information on your laptop’s battery life and health. Here’s how to access the Battery Status menu:
Step 1: Click on the battery icon in the menu bar.