Let’s face it—MacBooks are expensive. If you’re like me, you want them to last as long as possible. That’s why it’s so important to keep them in tip top shape. But, how do you do that? Today, AGiRepair is breaking down six tips to help you extend your MacBook Pro lifespan.
Though these tips are for designed with MacBooks in mind, they can also be applied to laptops and other mobile devices like your smart phone or tablet. Let’s get started.
1. Keep Your Battery between 20-80%
Extending MacBook Pro lifespan starts with the battery. Stop keeping your MacBook connected to power 24/7. We’ve all been guilty of this.
Your laptop uses a lithium-ion battery, which is most stable between 20-80%. When a battery runs above 80% charge, the usage changes to protect the battery from expansion and other physical damage.
Battery life is rated in cycles, i.e. how many times your battery can survive being charged from 0-100%. If you consistently keep your charge between 20-80%, you’re essentially doubling the amount of charging cycles a battery uses in its lifetime.
Be careful, though, letting your battery drain to 0% can cause damage. Likewise, never store a laptop at 0%. While your battery doesn’t have enough juice to power your device, it is not fully discharged at 0%. If stored at 0%, any remaining power will discharge completely and can cause irreparable damage to your battery.
We understand that keeping your battery between 20-80% takes some intense monitoring. Biggest takeaway: don’t let your charge hit 0% and take it off the charger occasionally to actually use the battery.
2. Adjust Brightness
Your screen can suck the life out of your battery quickly. Adjust the brightness to the lowest level that is comfortable for your eyes. This will save your battery life, as well as prevent burn in, and ultimately help extend your MacBook Pro lifespan.
3. Automate Your Updates
Apple releases periodic updates to macOS software, which sometimes includes app and security updates. Be sure to enable your MacBook to automatically check for updates in system preferences. Your device should run the latest OS and software to prevent disruptions in functionality.
With this selection enabled, you may still receive notifications to choose when the updates are installed. Some updates are large, could require that your device be connected to power, or that your device is restarted after the update. Scheduling the update allows your device to update when you’re not actively using it. Your device has to be powered on in order for updates to occur but can be in a sleep or standby mode.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Shut ‘Er Down
Most of us use our laptops during regular business hours, then transition to another device, like our phone or tablet, for the rest of the evening. If you are not using your laptop for more than four hours, shut down the unit completely to preserve battery life.
Using sleep or standby is not equivalent to fully powering down your machine. Often, your laptop may not fully enter into the reduced power mode because applications run in the background. The mode can also easily be disrupted.
Even if you use your MacBook consistently from morning to night, we’re hoping you’re getting at least four hours of shut eye so you can shut down your device. It gives you a much-needed break and extends your MacBook Pro lifespan.
5. Regularly Clean Your MacBook
Don’t dismiss this next tip. Regularly cleaning your device is important to keep it looking new but it can also prevent damage from dirt and grime.
When cleaning your device use an electronic wipe, like our Mobile Device Sanitizing wipes. They’re specially formulated to clean electronics safely and effectively, while killing 99.9% of germs.
Bleach or baby wipes are not intended to use on your MacBook or laptop. They can leave an unwanted residue or film on your device. I learned this lesson the hard way. The screen on my MacBook was left with an irremovable film after I used a baby wipe to clean it. I regretted this decision deeply.
Not only does regular cleaning keep your device looking new, but it can also prevent damage to your MacBook Retina screen called delamination. Delamination is a failure mode caused by cyclic stressors. In this case, the oils from your keyboard transfer to your screen when your MacBook is closed. These oils break down the beautiful, anti-glare coating on the Retina display, resulting in a cracked, damaged screen over time. Read more about delamination here.
6. Use a Protective Case or Carry Bag
We know better than most that accidents happen. AGiRepair processes over 10,000 repairs per month on MacBooks, iPads, and Chromebooks—some of which could be avoided by using a protective case or carry bag.
For a protective case, choose a ruggedized case for maximum protection. If not using a protective case for your laptop, be sure to use a padded laptop carry bag. They come in a variety of sizes and styles from sleeve to messenger bags. AGiProtect offers complete lifecycle management, including cases for your MacBooks or iPads.
AGiRepair is a leader in mobile device repair, offering comprehensive solutions for school districts, repair depots, and other organizations. For more information, contact us today!
