One telltale sign it’s time to replace your laptop battery

The rapid advancement of consumer electronics has slowed. A three-year-old laptop in 2010 was outdated, but today, devices last much longer, reducing the need for constant upgrades.

However, this longevity highlights the limited lifespan of certain components, particularly batteries. Battery issues are becoming increasingly prevalent.

"Batteries are consumable," notes Craig Lloyd, iFixit's head of content operations, "and more people are realizing that."

Previously, a dead battery often meant a new phone. Now, battery replacement is a cost-effective solution, restoring devices to near-new condition, capable of handling the latest apps even after two or three years.

Battery problems typically manifest as reduced battery life between charges. Some devices even provide warnings when battery health deteriorates. MacOS, for instance, is known for earlier notifications compared to other operating systems.

Understanding Battery "Death"

Each charge cycle (full discharge and recharge) degrades the battery slightly due to the limited number of full charge cycles it can endure. This maximum cycle count is usually specified online or in the device's manual. When a battery "dies," it primarily means reduced battery life, not a sudden failure.

"My wife's laptop lasted seven years before needing a new battery," Lloyd shares, "and even then, it only lasted an hour or two instead of eight or ten."

[Related: The Inevitable Demise of Cell Phone Batteries: A Physics Perspective]

This degradation doesn't compromise device safety; sudden failures are usually due to manufacturing defects or physical damage, not normal wear and tear, Lloyd clarifies. You can check your battery's cycle count against its rated lifespan (found in the user manual).

For PCs, open Command Prompt (search next to the Start menu), type powercfg /batteryreport, press Enter, then open the generated battery-report.html file in your user folder (C:Users[YOUR USERNAME]). For Macs, Option-click the Apple menu, select System Information, then navigate to Hardware > Power to find the Cycle Count.

When to Replace Your Battery

Essentially, whenever you choose.

Device notifications aside, if performance is satisfactory, battery replacement isn't necessary. Even reduced battery life isn't a problem unless it significantly impacts usage. However, planning for eventual battery replacement is wise if you intend to keep your devices long-term.

"Think of your phone like a car," Lloyd advises. "Components degrade and need replacing."

Battery Replacement: A Practical Guide

Replacement difficulty varies by device. Some are simple one-screw jobs; others require extensive disassembly, potentially involving challenging adhesive removal (Apple devices, for example).

For in-warranty batteries, contacting the manufacturer is best. Otherwise, repair shops or DIY replacement are options.

[Related: Maximizing Your Laptop Battery Life]

iFixit provides detailed step-by-step guides for DIY repairs. If the task seems daunting, professional repair is perfectly acceptable. iFixit also offers repair kits with quality parts and tools for popular devices.

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