(photo credit: pixabay.com)
Here's how to get that battery juice really working for you.
Knowing how to preserve your laptop’s battery life can come in handy. Maybe you’ve left your charger at home and have multiple tasks to complete before heading back.
Or, it could be that you simply want to make the most of what you’ve got. You’re aiming to reduce that carbon footprint as much as possible.
Whatever the case may be, check out these 7 tips for short-term and long-term battery gain, to help you preserve:
You’re Panicking Right Now: Short Term Solutions
1) Reduce Your Screen Brightness
(photo credit: pixabay.com)
The brighter your screen is, the more energy it’s taking to operate. Go down to at least 50% if your eyes can tolerate it. Usually laptops have a key for this right on the keyboard.
2) Turn Off Keyboard Back Lighting
Just as the screen does, that back lighting on your keyboard is hogging juice. Here’s How to do it on Mac and How to do it in Windows.
3) Turn off Wifi and Bluetooth
4) Disable Applications You’re Not Using
Any extra applications that are running in the background that you don’t need, like music players, will take energy. Turn them off and save.
5) Disconnect Things You Don’t Need
(photo credit: pixabay.com)
If you’re using a Bluetooth mouse or radio, or you have an extra external drive connected to your laptop (that isn’t, of course, essential) disconnect them. The idea is to get things down to the bare bones.
6) Turn Down the Sound
If you don’t need it, turn it off. If you do, turn it down to the minimum you need. It’s taking energy!
7) Control the Graphics Card
If you’re using a Mac, follow these instructions that will set your device up to allow for the most energy efficient use of graphics cards in your machine. This can save some battery life.
If you’re using Windows, enjoy this video.
You’re Planning: Long Term Solutions
(photo credit: pixabay.com)
OK, so you’ve saved the day, for the short term. Now you’d like to run on less over the long haul.
To help your computer lessen its load and ease the strain you put it through every day, do a few simple things.
First of all, consider buying an extra back-up battery to have on hand or an external, portable power source. Don't be caught again!
Beyond this, take some time to defragment on occasion, if you’re running on Windows . It can keep your computer from getting sluggish. If you’re on a Mac, follow these tips for smoother sailing.
(photo credit: pixabay.com)
Also take some time to do weekly, monthly or at the very least, yearly cleaning of your files. Don’t let documents, videos, charts and photos pile up.
De-clutter, and keep like files together. Regularly delete your downloads folder and clear the cache on your Web browser as well.
Additionally, if you can add some more RAM to your system, go for it. RAM stores data on your device for short-term use and the more of it you have, the better.
Last but not least, if you decide you simply need to invest in a new laptop altogether, check out our list of the best .
