In today's technology-driven world, the Mac computer has become an integral tool for entertainment and productivity. If you wish to fully harness the potential of your computer fully, optimizing its battery life is critical.
Of course, you can carry a charger to boost your Mac's battery when it runs out of juice. But being tethered to a cable is not the purpose of owning a Mac computer. Also, it hinders portability. The alternative is to invest in a power bank if you want to charge MacBook Pro without charger, but this too is not the ultimate solution. If you forget to charge the power book, it won't be of much use to you during your travels.
This guide explores the important charging habits for Mac users. Adopting these practices can maximize your computer's battery life and make the most of your digital experiences without the fear of running out of juice when you need it the most. Let's take a look.
Use Apple's Official Charger
It may seem like a no-brainer, but this is worth mentioning. Many users end up using third-party chargers that might not be fully compatible with Mac computers.When you purchase a new MacBook, Apple includes a USB-C charging cable and a power adapter. It is always recommended to use the official charging cable because they are optimized to ensure the long-term health of your battery.
Besides battery longevity, it is considered safer to use Apple's official charger. However, if the charger is faulty, there are some excellent third-party chargers from reputable makers, such as Belkin, Satechi, and Anker.
You must avoid using cheap alternatives as they can negatively impact the battery's health and may even pose safety risks.
Do Not Fully Drain or Fully Charge Your Mac's Battery
Mac computers use lithium-ion batteries. The capacity of such batteries reduces as you continue charging and discharging your system. With every complete charge cycle, the battery's maximum charging capacity will be reduced.These batteries take a huge hit when you fully charge them because they are susceptible to overheating. This may result in reducing the lifespan of your Mac's computer. Hence, you are recommended to keep the charge between 30%-80%.
Do not let your Mac computer fully drain its charge, and do not fully charge the battery. This will improve its battery life.
Do Not Leave Your Mac Constantly Plugged In
Do you leave your Mac plugged in all the time? If so, this is one of the biggest mistakes you are making, harming the battery's health.Leaving your Mac plugged in increases the heat, damaging the battery.
Turn on Optimized Battery Charging
On your Mac computer, Optimized Battery Charging is a feature that learns your charging routine and optimizes charging so the battery life is extended. Using this feature, you can reduce the battery's wear and tear.The feature works by delaying the charging of your battery when it is past 80%. The feature can predict that your Mac has been plugged in for a long time and ensures that the battery will be charged by the time the charger is unplugged.
The feature can be enabled by going to the System Settings app > clicking Battery > selecting the Info button, and toggling on the Optimized Battery Charging feature.
As already mentioned, it is best to keep the battery level between 30% and 80%. Although the Optimized Battery Charging feature does not stop the battery from charging once it is past 80%, it slows down the charging process.
Charge at Moderate Ambient Temperatures
It is essential to be cautious and take extreme care when charging lithium-ion batteries. If you charge Mac computers in high ambient temperatures, it can damage the battery's capacity. You must charge the battery at moderate ambient temperatures.Since heat is one of the biggest enemies of batteries, it is best to avoid exposing your computer to extremely high or low temperatures.
Besides these, you can also turn on the energy-saver mode on your Mac so you can customize power usage preferences. You can even adjust the settings to impact the battery life, such as lowering the screen brightness, setting a shorter sleep timer, etc. These settings will help you make the most of your Mac's battery and complete your tasks without looking for a place to plug in your computer.
So, Maximize Battery Life by Adopting these Practices
As you must already know, batteries don't last forever. But you can take care of them to extend their lifespan. This will ensure you can avoid getting a replacement sooner than required. Also, it is a costly affair to replace your MacBook's battery.Follow the tricks and tips mentioned above to maximize your Mac's battery life. These are simple habits and practices that can make a huge difference.
