Dim Your Screen a Little
Yes, we get it. As a creative professional, you’ll normally want to keep your screen at maximum brightness. But it’s worth knowing that this is one of the most significant drains on its battery. Consequently, dimming your screen even a little can really help prolong its life.
Obviously, you don’t want to ruin your eyesight or create bad work, though. So it’s really about fiddling around and finding the right balance between power and performance for you, depending on the ambient lighting conditions you’re working in. Start by experimenting with lower brightness levels and work your way up until you hit that sweet spot.
Close Down Unnecessary Tabs
Creative software like the Adobe Creative Suite, video editing programs, and 3D rendering tools can do amazing things, but by the same token, they will drain your battery incredibly quickly. So you need to be strategic about what you do and when, if you’re working on battery power.
So for example, when you’re using a resource-intensive application like Final Cut Pro, make sure you have all other unnecessary browser tabs and tools closed. This might sound like a lot of faffing around, but this approach can significantly extend your battery life, giving you more uninterrupted creative time overall.
Use Airplane Mode
You might not think simply having your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on would be a drain on your battery. But actually, both are constant energy consumers, even when it doesn’t seem like they’re actually doing anything. So when you’re working offline—such as editing photos, sketching designs, or rendering a video—consider switching to Airplane Mode. This simple tweak can dramatically reduce the amount of power your laptop is using.
Create the Right Physical Environment
Most people don’t think of this, but temperature and physical surroundings play crucial roles in the amount of energy your laptop uses.
Most importantly, avoid using your laptop on soft surfaces such as beds or sofas that can restrict airflow to its internal components. It’s much better to use your device on hard, flat surfaces that allow proper airflow. Alternatively, you might want to cool things down further by investing in a laptop stand (for better airflow) or a cooling pad (for direct cooling).
Monitor Your Battery Health
Sadly, batteries don’t operate at the optimum efficiency forever: they get less effective over time. There’s no way of preventing this, but you can at least monitor the situation to help you act accordingly. To learn how to do so in both Mac and Windows, read our article How to check your laptop’s battery health.
Stay Updated with Software and Drivers
Let’s face it, updating your software regularly probably isn’t at the top of your priorities. But if you want to get the maximum life out of your battery, maybe it should be. Firstly, because updates often include power management improvements. And secondly, because regularly updating your operating system and device drivers can make your laptop work more efficiently and be less draining on the battery. So set your system to automatically download and install updates, ensuring you’re always running the most optimised version.
Disconnect Peripherals
Got a USB stick plugged into your laptop doing nothing? Well, actually, it’s not doing nothing. Even when not actively used, such devices draw power from your laptop’s battery. So boost your laptop’s battery life by making sure you disconnect peripherals, including external hard drives, USB drives, mice, and keyboards, when you’re not using them.
Use Built-in Battery-Saving Modes
Both Windows and Mac laptops offer battery-saving modes that can significantly extend runtime by limiting background processes and reducing screen brightness. Mac offers similar energy-saving features. These modes can be lifesavers when you’re working away from a power outlet.
Manage Background Processes and Startup Apps
A lot of the time, applications run in the background of your laptop, consuming valuable battery resources without you even knowing about it. So take the time to review and manage startup applications and background processes. Both Windows and Mac offer tools to help you identify and disable unnecessary startup items. Check your task manager or activity monitor regularly, and close applications and processes you’re not actively using. Doing this can significantly extend your battery life.
Switch to a Lighter Web Browser
The major web browsers, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, can be surprisingly power-hungry. So if you’re working on battery power, consider using lighter browsers such as Opera, or at least limiting the number of open tabs.
Conclusion
By following these simple yet effective techniques, you can potentially extend your device’s runtime, whether you’re using one of the best laptops for graphic design or one of the best MacBooks for students. Remember to dim your screen, close down unnecessary tabs, use Airplane Mode, create the right physical environment, monitor your battery health, stay updated with software and drivers, disconnect peripherals, use built-in battery-saving modes, manage background processes and startup apps, and switch to a lighter web browser.
FAQs
Q: Can I really make a difference with these tips?
A: Yes, following these simple techniques can significantly extend your device’s runtime, making it easier to work on the go or in areas with unpredictable power access.
Q: What are the most power-hungry applications?
A: Resource-intensive applications like the Adobe Creative Suite, video editing programs, and 3D rendering tools can drain your battery quickly. Be strategic about what you do and when, and consider closing down unnecessary tabs and processes.
Q: Can I use my laptop in a soft, non-flat surface?
A: Avoid using your laptop on soft surfaces like beds or sofas, as they can restrict airflow to its internal components. Use a hard, flat surface instead to allow proper airflow and cooling.
Q: How often should I update my software and drivers?
A: Regularly update your operating system and device drivers to ensure you’re always running the most optimised version, which can help extend your battery life. Set your system to automatically download and install updates.
