In my view, technology isn’t just about new inventions — it’s about how digital tools make everyday life easier, smarter, and more connected.
Overview
In 2025, laptops are getting stronger and faster — but battery life is still a common problem. Whether you study online, work from home, or travel often, a long-lasting battery can make your day much easier.
The best part?
You don’t need to buy anything new. By changing a few settings and following some simple habits, you can increase your laptop’s battery life on both Windows and macOS.
This guide includes 10 real tips that actually work in daily use.
1. Reduce Screen Brightness (The Most Effective Battery Saver)
Your screen uses the most battery. Lowering brightness is the quickest way to save power.
Recommended Brightness
- Indoors: 40%–60%
- Outdoors: 70%+ (only when needed)
How to Adjust Brightness
Windows
- Click the battery icon
- Move the brightness slider
- Or use the F1/F2 keys
macOS
- Open Control Center
- Adjust the brightness slider
- Or use F1/F2
Example
If your laptop gives 5 hours, lowering brightness can add 40–60 extra minutes.
2. Close Background Apps You’re Not Using
Some apps keep running even when you aren’t using them, and they quietly use battery.
Apps That Use the Most Battery
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge (many tabs) |
| Communication | Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp Desktop |
| Heavy Apps | Photoshop, Premiere Pro |
| Syncing Services | Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive |
How to Check & Close Them
Windows
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Task Manager → Sort by Power Usage
macOS
Open Activity Monitor → Sort by Energy Impact
Close apps you don’t need.
3. Turn on Battery Saver / Low Power Mode
Both Windows and macOS include built-in power-saving modes.
Windows
Settings → System → Power & Battery → Turn on Battery Saver
macOS
System Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode
What You Get
Turning this on can make your battery last 20–30% longer.
4. Disable Keyboard Backlight (When Not Needed)
Keyboard lights look nice but use extra battery.
Battery Drain Levels
| Brightness | Battery Usage |
|---|---|
| 100% | High |
| 50% | Medium |
| Off | Very Low |
Turn it off during the day or keep it low at night.
5. Reduce Refresh Rate (For Modern Laptops)
Many new laptops come with 120Hz or 144Hz screens.
Higher refresh speed = more battery used.
Recommended
- On battery: 60Hz
- On charger: 120Hz or higher
How to Change It
Windows
Settings → Display → Advanced Display → 60Hz
macOS (ProMotion)
System Settings → Display → ProMotion → 60Hz
This simple change can save up to 1 hour of battery.
6. Use Dark Mode + Dark Wallpaper
On OLED laptops (MacBook Pro, many Windows models), dark mode saves power.
Who Benefits Most?
- MacBook Pro with OLED
- Windows OLED / AMOLED laptops
Battery Saving
Up to 10–15% more battery.
Even on non-OLED screens, dark mode reduces eye tiredness during long usage.
7. Stop Overcharging & Avoid Dropping Below 15%
Battery life mostly depends on how you charge your laptop.
Best Charging Range
| Battery Level | Condition |
|---|---|
| 20%–80% | Best range |
| Below 15% | Not good |
| Above 90% for long time | Not good |
Tip: Use Battery Limit Features
Windows
- Lenovo: Conservation Mode
- ASUS: Battery Health Charging
- Dell: Custom Battery Range
macOS
System Settings → Battery → Optimize Battery Charging
8. Remove Unnecessary Startup Programs
Some apps start automatically when you turn on your laptop and slow down your system.
Disable Them
Windows
Task Manager → Startup Apps → Disable unneeded apps
macOS
System Settings → General → Login Items
Common Apps to Disable
- Spotify auto-launch
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Adobe Creative Cloud (if not needed)
9. Keep Your System Updated
Updates often fix battery drain issues.
Windows
Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
macOS
System Settings → General → Software Update
Also update:
- Drivers
- Firmware
- Laptop maker utilities
These updates often include battery and cooling improvements.
10. Don’t Use Chrome With Too Many Tabs
Chrome is fast, but it uses the most battery—especially with many tabs open.
Better Options
| Browser | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Edge | Supports Chrome extensions + better battery |
| Safari (Mac) | Best battery optimization |
| Firefox | Light on RAM and battery |
If You Must Use Chrome
- Install OneTab
- Close tabs you don’t need
- Disable large extensions
This alone can add 30–45 minutes of battery life.
Final Small Tips
These little habits also help:
- Keep laptop on a flat surface (better cooling)
- Avoid heat
- Restart your laptop sometimes
- Remove USB devices when not needed
- Turn on Airplane Mode when offline
Every small step saves battery.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need new hardware to improve your battery life. By lowering brightness, closing background apps, using power-saving modes, and following good charging habits, you can easily increase your laptop’s daily battery time.
If you follow even 5 out of these 10 tips, your laptop can last 1–2 hours longer every day — without spending a single rupee.
Enjoyed this article? You might also find my previous post helpful: [https://techhorizonpro.com/chatgpt-2025-full-update-guide/ ]
Written by Muhammad Zeeshan, a tech enthusiast who explores how innovation, AI, and digital tools are shaping modern life.
If you found this article helpful, feel free to check out my latest post for more insights on emerging tech trends.
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