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.
Step 2: This will display the current battery level and estimated battery life in hours and minutes.
Step 3: To view more information on your laptop’s battery health, click on “Battery Preferences” at the bottom of the Battery Status menu. This will open the Battery Preferences window, which provides information on your battery’s cycle count, health, and usage history.
Third-Party Software
Suppose you want more detailed information on your laptop battery’s performance. In that case, you can use third-party software to monitor its health and estimate its remaining life. This section will introduce you to some popular battery monitoring apps for Windows and Mac.
Windows Laptops
- BatteryInfoView
BatteryInfoView is a free battery monitoring tool for Windows laptops. It provides detailed information on your laptop’s battery usage, including its current capacity, voltage, charge/discharge rate, and remaining time. It also generates a graph that shows your battery’s discharge rate over time.
To use BatteryInfoView, download and install the app from the NirSoft website. Once installed, launch the app to view your battery information.
- HWMonitor
HWMonitor is a hardware monitoring tool that includes battery monitoring capabilities. It provides real-time information on your laptop’s battery usage, including its current capacity, voltage, charge/discharge rate, and remaining time. It also generates a graph that shows your battery’s discharge rate over time.
To use HWMonitor, download and install the app from the CPUID website. Once installed, launch the app to view your battery information.
Mac Laptops
- CoconutBattery
CoconutBattery is a free battery monitoring app for Mac laptops. It provides detailed information on your laptop’s battery usage, including its current capacity, voltage, charge/discharge rate, and remaining time. It also generates a graph that shows your battery’s discharge rate over time.
To use CoconutBattery, download and install the app from the CoconutFlavour website. Once installed, launch the app to view your battery information.
- iStat Menus
iStat Menus is a system monitoring app that includes battery monitoring capabilities. It provides real-time information on your laptop’s battery usage, including its current capacity, voltage, charge/discharge rate, and remaining time. It also generates a graph that shows your battery’s discharge rate over time.
To use iStat Menus, download and install the app from the iStat Menus website. Once installed, launch the app to view your battery information.
Manual Calculations
Suppose you want to calculate your laptop battery’s remaining life manually. You can use the battery capacity and power consumption data in that case. In this section, we will show you how to perform these calculations.
Step 1: Determine your laptop’s battery capacity. You can find this information in the Battery Report on Windows laptops or the Battery Preferences window on Mac laptops. The battery capacity is typically measured in milliampere-hours (mAh) or watt-hours (Wh).
Step 2: Determine your laptop’s power consumption. You can do this by using the Task Manager on Windows laptops or the Activity Monitor on Mac laptops. Look for the “Power Usage” column, which shows how much power your laptop uses in watts.
Step 3: Divide your laptop’s battery capacity by its power consumption to calculate how long your battery will last. For example, suppose your laptop’s battery capacity is 50 Wh and its power consumption is 10 watts. In that case, your battery will last for approximately 5 hours (50 Wh / 10 watts = 5 hours).
Note that this calculation is an estimate and may only partially be accurate as power consumption can vary depending on the tasks being performed on the laptop.
Extending Laptop Battery Life
Now that you know how to check how long your laptop battery will last, it’s important to take steps to extend its lifespan.
Here are some tips to help you do just that:
- Adjust Power Settings: Adjusting your laptop’s power settings can help extend its battery life. For example, you can reduce the screen brightness, turn off keyboard backlighting, and set your laptop to go to sleep or hibernate when not in use.
- Disable Unnecessary Programs and Services: Disabling unnecessary programs and services can also help extend your laptop’s battery life. For example, you can close apps that are running in the background, disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use, and remove unnecessary startup programs.
- Use a Cooling Pad: Using a cooling pad can help keep your laptop cool and prevent overheating, which can drain your battery faster.
- Keep Your Laptop Clean: Keeping your laptop clean can also help extend its battery life. Dust and dirt can clog up your laptop’s cooling system, which can cause it to overheat and drain your battery faster.
Final words on How to Check How Long Your Laptop Battery Will Last
Knowing how long your laptop battery will last is vital in managing power usage and prolonging battery life. Whether using built-in tools, third-party software, or manual calculations – tracking its health status and using manual calculations – is vital in making sure its longevity remains maximized and lasting as intended. By following the tips outlined herein you’ll extend its battery lifespan and get maximum enjoyment out of portable computing device.
Read Next:
10 Best Laptops Under 150K In Nigeeia (2023)
