Since the dawn of technology, there has been a continuous
development of gadgets and appliances. Millions of people today use laptops,
cell phones, and tablets for personal, school-related, and work activities.
These gadgets have become significantly valuable. They are instrumental to
efficiency, entertainment, learning, and many more.
However, people's growing reliance on technology can
sometimes take a toll on these devices. Excessive use and improper care can
lead to issues such as frozen or slow apps, lost or corrupted data, sluggish
performance, bugs, physical damage, and charging problems. In the long run,
these can lead to a shorter lifespan and poor battery health.
What is Battery Health?
A battery is a chemical power source that can independently
generate a finite amount of energy wherever required. This power source differs
from the regular electricity providers deliver to your home via wires that
originate in a power plant. A battery releases the electrical energy stored
inside it over days, weeks, months, or even years.
The condition of a battery tells how much power is available
to supply a system or fuel a device. Generally speaking, a battery's health degrades
with time at a rate influenced by how frequently and under what circumstances
you use it.
What are the Different Battery Health Performances among Gadgets?
A battery's performance varies depending on factors like
usage and power management. When screening a device's specifications, it is
essential to check the milliamp hours (mAh). This measurement determines how
long the battery will endure under specific current conditions.
For example, if a phone has a 1,000 mAh battery rating
and you use it for anything that consumes 100 mA of current, you can anticipate
running out of power in 10 hours. Most Android smartphones and devices have
higher mAh battery ratings than iPhones and apple gadgets.
As a result, some people tend to assume that Android battery
life is always superior to iOS. However, there are other factors to take into
account. Users can test battery performance by assessing and comparing how
batteries function while the device surfs the web, makes calls, and operates on
other apps.
Still, it may not be objective since operating systems work differently, consuming energy at varying rates. Basic settings
like brightness, vibration, and volume can also improve or deteriorate battery
life regardless of whether it is an Android or iOS device. Some other
mobile phone features that can affect battery health are:
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- GPS
- All notifications turned on
- Apps running in the background
How Does Apple's Battery Performance Compare to Other Brands?
For some time, Apple users have complained about Apple
devices' battery issues. Consumers have observed that the battery drains faster
as the device gets older. However, this issue is present in Apple devices and
other brands. Naturally, smartphone lithium-ion batteries tend to deplete their
charge over time.
As your battery's ability to hold a charge decreases, its
battery life also reduces. According to Apple, after 500 full charge cycles,
the iPhone batteries are made to retain up to 85% of their original capacity.
The good thing about Apple is that it lets users check the
condition of their battery. Apple users only need to open Settings and select
Battery Health under Battery. iOS also notifies users when it's time to change
their battery.
Why is Battery Health Important?
Although all functions of a device are crucial, there's a
significant bearing on battery health. The battery's capacity to give peak
performance may decline as its health does. For this reason, it is best to
follow certain practices to maintain and improve battery life.
Is Battery Health the Same for MacBook Devices?
The measurement of battery capacity relative to when it was new is known as the battery's maximum capacity. Apple's battery life depends on the device's model and usage. There is a difference between older and newer models, mainly its battery power and overall performance.
While recent models are superior, it is vital to note that
the amount of charge lithium-ion batteries can hold decreases with time due to
chemical aging. As a result, it can shorten the period before you need to
recharge a gadget.
How to Check Your MacBook's Battery Health
If you would like to see the battery condition of your
MacBook device, you can find it by following these steps:
- Click the Apple menu
- Choose System Settings
- Find the green battery icon in the sidebar
- Select Battery
You can usually see the battery health on the right side.
Upon checking, it will indicate whether it is in good shape. You'll see the
status as "normal" if the battery's health is all good or
"service recommended" if otherwise. This warning implies the battery
is still operating normally, but it no longer has the same capacity to hold a
charge compared to its brand-new state.
Similarly, the system will alert you if your iPhone's
battery needs replacement. If you have this indication, consider replacing the
battery to optimize performance. Unlike old batteries, this new battery technology helps users prevent more severe issues and maintain the
device in good condition.
Tips to Keep Your MacBook's Battery in Good Condition
There are many ways to maintain the battery health of your
MacBook device. These practices will help ensure you keep up peak performance
and optimization even in the long run.
1. Review the battery's health report
Besides checking your MacBook's battery health on the
surface, you should consider having a closer look. Click on the Apple icon,
then click System Information while pressing the Options button on your
keyboard. When this app opens, select Power and find Health Information. This section
will show the battery's health, including its cycle count and capacity level.
Knowing your MacBook's battery history and charge cycles
will give you a better picture of your device. At the same time, you can
prepare ahead of time when a replacement is due.
Apple advises replacing your battery after 1,000 charge
cycles for most newer MacBook batteries. For further information, you may view
Apple's chart of projected battery cycles online.
2. Keep an eye on the battery percentage
Although this tip will not extend the battery's life, it
gives you a heads-up on when it needs recharging or fully charged. You can Go
over the battery icon in the menu bar to see your device's battery percentage.
Additionally, you can see which apps are significantly reducing battery
life, and you can close them if they are unnecessary.
3. Turn on Optimized Charging
Optimized Charging is a feature that keeps track of your
usage habits and modifies charging behavior as necessary. It's best to keep the
battery level between 80 to 40% since it is bad for the cell to charge
completely or let your battery level drop too low. Meanwhile, full batteries
can hold more voltage, which puts the cell under more strain.
You can activate this feature by going to Settings, then
navigating to System Preferences, where you will find Battery and the option to
check Optimized Charging. After your device learns your daily habits, it will
adjust and optimize accordingly.
For example, if you practice overnight charging regularly
and then unplug it at seven every morning, your MacBook will wait to set the
final 20%. Hence, your phone's battery may not reach 100% if you stop charging
earlier, like 6 in the morning.
4. Take time to unplug your MacBook
Although you cannot overcharge or damage your device by always
keeping it plugged in, this practice is still not a good habit. The Optimized
Charging feature protects and improves battery health. However, it is not
fool-proof. It is still possible for the battery to bulge or have other issues
if you leave it plugged in all of the time.
You should run the cell down to around 40% for best results
before recharging to about 80%. Doing so ensures that the high voltage it
needs to reach 90 or 100 percent won't put the battery under extra stress.
If you spend your days at a desk, take a few hours of
unplugged time each day to prevent part of the early aging that the high
voltage induces.
5. Stay updated with the latest software
Ensure that your MacBook is always running the most recent
version of macOS. The latest version updates don't prevent hackers from accessing your device. They can also help keep your laptop in
tip-top shape.
If you have an Internet connection, your device's macOS
will automatically look for software updates, but you may choose when to
install them. Navigate to the Apple menu and select Software Update to check if
you've updated your MacBook with the latest software version.
6. Optimize device settings
One of the best ways to care for your battery is by reducing
excessive strain and conserving energy. Here are some steps you may want to
follow.
Minimize brightness “ Full-screen brightness is not always
necessary. It is best to dim the screen to the lowest level possible.
Save energy “ Use the Energy Saver feature to control your
MacBook's power levels. It will automatically dim the screen when running on
battery power and minimize performance.
Turn off keyboard backlights “ Backlights should be off
during inactivity or when there's light. They consume a lot of energy and take
a toll on the battery. You can limit the time it is on by going to System
Preferences > Keyboard, then indicate how many seconds of inactivity it will
take for the backlight to shut off.
Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth “ These also drain battery
juice. If you do not need to connect to a network or device, keep the Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth off, especially when running on battery power.
7. Change your web browser
Chrome is a well-known resource eater as it uses up valuable
RAM. Due to this, the web browser can significantly reduce any device's battery
life. Since Apple has already set Safari as the default web browser for their
devices, consider making this switch. Moreover, Safari is just as capable as
Chrome and rarely has issues.
8. Work or store in comfortable temperatures
Devices work best in an ideal environment, particularly with
temperatures of about 16° to 22° Celsius. It is essential to avoid extreme
temperatures because they can damage battery capacity. The hot environment
usually causes irreversible damage, while the cold triggers temporary issues
such as a decreased battery life.
For reference, ambient temperatures between 10° and 35° C
are ideal for MacBooks. The temperature range for storage starts from -20 and
caps at 45° C.
Maintaining your MacBook's Battery Health
Technology and devices have been a great help to many people
across the globe. But as they simplify and make tasks easier for people, taking
good care of them is also crucial. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to
keep your gadgets, especially your MacBook, in tip-top shape. And taking care
of your MacBook's battery can help prolong its life for years to come.
Author Bio
Chris is a long-time gadgets enthusiast, writer, and tech
consultant for Macs4u. He is an avid
collector of œvintage gizmos and loves to watch 80s sci-fi movies in his
leisure time.
