A defining advantage of a laptop is its portability, to work freely, unconstrained by a fixed location. However, keeping a laptop eternally chained to its power brick can shorten its lifespan. Let's delve into the details and explore how modern operating systems (OS) are helping us navigate this charging conundrum.

Lithium-ion batteries, used in most modern laptops, degrade over time. Constant charging, especially at 100%, stresses the battery and accelerates this degradation, leading to reduced capacity and shorter runtime.

Shallow charge cycles, where the battery never fully discharges, are also detrimental. When plugged in all the time, the battery rarely goes below a certain level, limiting its ability to function at its full potential.

Laptops generate heat and having them constantly plugged in adds to the thermal load. This can exacerbate overheating issues, especially in poorly ventilated environments, potentially damaging internal components.

Fortunately, modern OSes offer features to help you strike a balance:

Battery Health Management: Windows 11 and macOS Monterey have features that optimize charging cycles and reduce wear and tear. They may limit charging to 80% or learn your usage patterns to adjust charging accordingly.

Battery Saver Mode: Both OSes offer power-saving modes that dim the screen, reduce background processes, and extend battery life when unplugged.

Customizable Charging: Some laptops allow you to set charging thresholds, stopping the charge at a specific level (say, 80%) to prolong battery life. By following these tips, you can extend your laptop battery's lifespan, ensure its safety, and enjoy the full potential of its portable nature.

Here’s how to check a laptop’s battery health for Windows and Mac operating systems:

Windows:

• Battery Report: This built-in tool offers detailed information. Search for "command prompt" in the Start menu, type "powercfg /batteryreport" and press Enter. The report will be saved as an HTML file and open in your browser. Look for "Design capacity" and "Full charge capacity." Divide the latter by the former and multiply by 100 to get an estimated health percentage.

Mac:

• System Information: Click the Apple logo in the menu bar, select "About This Mac," then "System Report." In the Hardware section, click "Power." Look for "Cycle Count" (number of charge cycles) and "Condition" (e.g., "Normal" or "Service Recommended").

Remember, battery health naturally degrades over time, therefore, it's crucial to find a balance. While plugging in when needed is perfectly fine, avoid leaving your laptop constantly connected to the charger. Utilize battery management features offered by your OS, unplug when possible, and allow your battery to go through full charge cycles occasionally for optimal health and performance.