“Should I leave my laptop plugged in with the battery charged?” This question has been debated for a long time. However, there is no straightforward answer to this as it actually depends upon a number of factors. Understanding how your battery works and how it is affected by various elements can help you improve the battery life of your laptop. Here are some of the points to take into consideration when determining how leaving your laptop plugged in while fully charged can affect its battery life.
Types of Laptop Batteries
Coming to the basics of laptop batteries, there are two types of batteries – Lithium-ion and Lithium-polymer. These are the two most prominently used batteries to power all the laptops. A lithium-based battery cannot be really overcharged even when using laptop while charging. This is because as soon as it is fully charged, the internal circuit prevents the battery from getting further charged until there is a voltage drop. However, lithium batteries are especially known for their volatile properties and can be affected by a number of factors like temperature, voltage level and the number of cycles they have gone through. High voltage levels with high temperature can also severely damage the battery and its performance.
Excessive Heat Causes Damage
If you are using your laptop in a cool temperature, then keeping the laptop plugged in won’t be a problem. However, if the temperatures are high and the battery is fully charged, then leaving it plugged in and using laptop while charging could potentially damage the battery. High temperatures shortens a battery’s life over time. Leaving a laptop outdoors can raise its temperature and damage the battery’s life. It can be one of the most damaging things you are doing that are slowing down your laptop.
The Normal Life-Cycle of a Battery
While there are a number of things which can affect the battery life of your laptop, it’s a fact that every battery can only sustain a finite number of charge and discharge cycles. As it reaches closer to this number, it starts deteriorating and its performance becomes less efficient. You can delay this from happening by prolonging its discharge cycle and extending the battery life of your laptop. The more charge cycles you put the battery through, the more it will detonate and decrease its lifespan. The only thing which you can do is try to slow the pace at which this happens.
Discharging the Battery for Too Long
Overcharging isn’t a much concern, but keeping your laptop battery discharged for a long time can be an issue. Discharging a battery for too long can damage its efficiency or might prevent it from getting charged at all. Unplugging the battery before it gets fully charged will double its discharge cycle. This also means that the battery won’t last for a long time on a single charge. Occasionally discharging the battery completely and then charging it back can help in calibrating the battery. This calibration process won’t increase the battery’s lifespan, but it will ensure your computer gives an accurate estimation. Doing this from time to time is one of the most effective laptop maintenance tips to follow.
Leaving your laptop plugged in on full-charge might not directly affect its battery life, but it can if combined with other factors. If you are looking for a laptop that gives you the longest battery life, explore our complete range of laptops by Dell at a Dell Exclusive store near you. Our range of laptops, gaming laptops and desktops will give you the best efficiency and performance.
