Battery capacity degradation better on ThinkPads?

Laptops Technical Support
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How Long Should a Laptop Battery Last? Real Lifespan Guide

The source claims that most Windows laptops get 300-500 cycles. Is a cycle a full charge, or just anytime the battery charges? Most people charge their laptops everyday, so I find it hard to believe the batteries actually die in less than a year of charging, potentially. It also says ThinkPads are better with this, but is that because of software or does the manufacturer make a difference to the actual laptop’s battery quality?

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Most laptops use Li-ion batteries. In these kind of batteries, everytime you charge the battery, use that charge and charge again- it starts to degrade. For example you have a 80Wh battery, you use it for 400 cycles. Now your battery capacity has reduced by 10% which is around 70-72 Wh instead of the 80 Wh it initially came with.

A cycle is anytime your battery charges, if you charge your laptop from 50% to 100% then that’s half a cycle. The safe range for these kind of batteries is 40% - 80%. If you use and charge your laptop at this range then degradation on your laptop’s battery is highly reduced.

No thinkpads do not have a miracle software to reduce the battery degradation every laptop faces. Thinkpads use undervolted components or highly efficient battery oriented chips and components so that it gives good battery life hence reducing the need to charge it often and lower cycles in the long run.

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Thanks so much for that answer I really found it helpful. Just a couple follow-ups if I may:

  1. Are you saying that using the battery between 40-80% is ideal? Meaning let it get to 40, charge to 80, rinse and repeat?

  2. Are all the Li-ion batteries used in modern laptops basically the same in terms of degradation? Was it always this way?

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Yes, charging the laptop from 40-80 is ideal as it reduces the chances of battery degradation and prolongs the battery’s lifespan. Battery degradation is inevitable even if you use it from 40-80, but it will be significantly slower compared to if you charged your laptop from 0-100.

Yes every modern laptop comes equipped with Li-ion batteries. The lithium ion technology used in batteries were introduced more than 30 years ago. Now it’s like a standard for every laptop brand. Not every Li-ion battery is the same, battery degradation depends on many factors but the major 3 are:-

  1. Chemical composition in the battery- this is like the secret recipe that laptop battery manufacturers never reveal. (Highly scientific topic very technical)
  2. Manufacturer and quality- premium laptop brands often use premium grade batteries due to the superior quality it faces less degradation than cheap alternatives. Moreover they have advanced BMS (battery management systems) to help in controlling battery usage, thermal issues etc. this used to be a deal breaker in older laptops as not many companies provide this kind of BMS, but now every major brand like apple, dell, lenovo, HP. Have this kind of BMS thanks to the high competition in the laptop market.
  3. Laptop design- heat is the greatest enemy of Li-ion batteries. More heat will degrade the battery at a faster rate. Hence always choose a laptop that has good cooling solutions. Thinkpads usually give good battery life as it uses advanced BMS and has a combination of efficient chips and good enough cooling solution to help prolong the battery’s lifespan.
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