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If you are using Apple’s latest computers, you probably have nothing to worry about when it comes to battery life. This is a problem with older devices that use an Intel chip and have probably run their course. 

But, there are a few settings you can change to make the most out of your battery life. 

Let’s find out. 

1. Check Your Battery Percentage

Being able to see the battery percentage is not going to help extend it, but it will give you a fair estimate of how long you have before you run out of charge. 

With macOS 11, some changes were made to charging methods so that you can extend the life of your battery. If you haven’t updated to the latest OS, consider doing so. 

2. Check Which App Is Draining Your Battery

Clicking on the battery icon on the menu bar also lets you see which app is sucking up your battery. If you can, close the app till you find a charging outlet. 

3. Examine Your Battery’s Health

Over time, the battery’s health naturally deteriorates. This might especially be an issue if you have a second-hand MacBook. You can test the battery’s health by typing ‘Battery’ in Spotlight. 

Go to the ‘Battery’ tab and click on Battery Health. You will see one of the following conditions: 

• Normal – This means everything is status quo
• Service recommended – As the name suggests, the battery needs to be replaced. 

You can also check how many charge cycles the battery has gone through. Apple recommends changing the battery once you cross 1,000 charge cycles for newer devices. 

4. Make Sure You Have The Right App Version

If you are using the M1 MacBooks but not apps that have been optimized for M1, you may be causing a significant drain on your battery. 

App developers are releasing an M1 version, so make sure you go and update all your most-used apps. 

5. Use Safari Instead of Chrome

Chrome is a widely used browser, and it is easy to see why. There are 1,500 plugins available; it has great security features and has a ton of features that make it easy to use across devices. 

But, it can hog up your battery and processing power. Safari is better than Chrome, albeit slightly low, does not impact your battery health negatively since it was designed for macOS. 

6. Dim Your Display

You can save battery by dimming your display since this is another thing that sucks up a lot of battery power. Turn down the brightness to a level where it is still comfortable for you to view the screen. You can also automate this after a period of inactivity. 

You can also make sure of the Auto-brightness feature that automatically adjusts based on ambient light.

7. Clean Up Your Mac

If your storage is almost full, then it can affect your battery life as well. You can either set up a regular cleaning schedule or use one of the widely reviewed popular cleaner software that can automatically clean up your system.

8. Reduce Battery Drain When Video Streaming

This is another option available to you that allows you to save some battery juice. This option essentially plays HD videos in SD, which requires less battery. 

9. Update to the Latest Software Automatically

Software updates contain performance enhancements that can also optimize how your battery is utilized. Make sure you turn on automatic updates to install the latest OS seamlessly.

10. Avoid Using Backlights

Backlight keyboards look great, but they can drain your battery. Turn it off unless you really need it. 

11. Turn off Bluetooth

Keeping your Bluetooth turned on can also drain your battery because your device is continuously scanning for devices nearby. The only caveat is that you will not be able to use the Continuity feature between your iOS devices and Mac. 

12. Close Apps After Use

When you are done using an app, close it. These apps that remain open suck up battery too. 

13. Close Tabs After Use

Follow the same principle for browser tabs. Once you’re done with it, close the tab to conserve battery. 

14. Remove Accessories Post Use

The same logic applies to external devices. Once you are done using it, unhook it from your laptop. 

15. Use WiFi 

WiFi conserves battery compared to mobile hotspots. Try to use WiFi when you’re running low on battery. 

16. Use Energy Saver Mode

Make use of the dedicated energy saver mode to conserve your battery. Energy Saver can be found in System Preferences. 

Final Thoughts

If your laptop is over five years old, consider upgrading to the latest version. Not only do they provide longer battery life, but they also have many features designed to save power.

If you cannot afford to do so, replace your battery to keep using the same device.

Despite the fact that MacBooks are known for their reliability, one should still not underestimate potential threats that may do harm to both you and your computer.

If you wish to protect personal information and maintain the MacBook in an optimal condition, expect to put some effort in to have that. Here are some neat ideas that will help you create a strategy to protect the MacBook.

Have a Proper Password Policy

Let’s start with a basic tip – passwords. First of all, disable the auto-login feature and make sure to create a password that is necessary to access the MacBook’s contents. If anyone gets their hands on the computer, they will have a hard time getting to its files because of a password.

You could also add password to zip file mac has or another separate file to protect it even further. Some would say that creating passwords for separate files is a bit too much, but there is no shame in protecting yourself.

Besides using passwords, it is also recommended to create different combinations instead of using the same password on every occasion. 

Install Reliable Antivirus

One could consider XProtect a built-in anti-malware tool for macOS. However, it is not the most reliable antivirus software. In fact, you can find reports from multiple MacBook owners who claim how XProtect does more harm than good, and it fails to locate and eliminate certain threats.

To protect the system, install recognized and reliable antivirus software and have it run in the background. With the software’s help, the laptop should be secure and avoid potential cybersecurity threats.

Use Ad Blocker Extensions on Internet Browser

Adding an ad blocker extension to your internet browser is a good piece of advice not just because of security. No ads while surfing the net improve the overall experience.

As far as security goes, it is no secret that some websites have an aggressive ad policy, and you may click on an ad accidentally. When you do, the odds of getting redirected to a malware-infected landing page are pretty high. And when you end up on such a landing page, who knows what might happen. Perhaps even antivirus software might not be enough to protect you from potential threats. 

Avoid Oversharing Personal Information

Given the current situation in the world (the ongoing pandemic), it is difficult to socialize with others in person. Therefore, many people are looking to connect with their friends and family on the internet.

At the same time, thanks to social media and platforms like Discord, one can find plenty of strangers who are eager to meet new people and have a little bit of socializing even if it is not face-to-face. 

While there are some great people you might meet, do not forget that some of these strangers are not as nice as they appear. If you get too close to someone and overshare personal information, they might use it against you.

For instance, if they found out your pet’s name or your birthday, the odds are that they will try to use these or other bits of information to have a go at your online account passwords and try to crack it. 

Thus, if you decide to meet some people online and even build relationships with them, be wary of what you should be sharing with them. 

Invest in VPNs

A decent virtual private network costs a couple of dollars per month. As a rule of thumb, stay away from free VPNs because they are not secure. If anything, using a free network defeats the purpose of securing your computer.

VPNs come in handy in particular when you need to join public Wi-Fi. One of the benefits of using the internet at a hotel, library, or bar is that it is usually free. However, not having to pay for internet access comes with certain downsides. 

More often than not, public Wi-Fi lacks the necessary security protocols. This means that joining such a network may result in getting your device attacked by hackers who have set up a trap. 

On the other hand, if you connect to the internet via virtual private networks, you will not have to worry about the lack of security protocols because they come with a VPN. Not to mention data encryption, changing your location and IP address, and even access to geo-restricted content. Overall, a VPN is a good investment.

Install macOS Updates

The last piece of advice in this article is about installing operating system updates. Your MacBook will perform more optimally if you have the latest macOS version installed. 

Moreover, you will benefit from new features and, most importantly, security upgrades. In addition to regular security patches, the macOS developers react to the latest threats and release new and improved versions of the operating system to make sure that your system is not prone to cybersecurity threats.

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Buying a MacBook is a significant investment for many people. Making the decision to drop more than $1,000 on a piece of technology can be a little scary, and you want to make sure that you’re making the right decision. 

The two questions you might ask are “will this work for what I need it to,” and “how long will this thing last?”

You want your computer to stick around for a few years or more, especially when it’s something you’re putting a lot of money into. How long should a MacBook last, though?

We’re going to answer that question in this article, giving you some insight into what you can expect from your new laptop.

How Long Should a MacBook Last If I Buy a New One?

As with anything, there are going to be a lot of factors that go into the longevity of your MacBook. The way that you use the machine, what it’s used for, and how you treat it will all come into play. 

If you’re running extremely powerful programs on your computer day and night or you use it to mine bitcoin for two years straight, it might die a little sooner than it would otherwise. 

That said, the type of MacBook that you purchase and how you maintain it will also be important factors in its lifespan. You can visit https://setapp.com/how-to/what-mac-do-i-have to identify the kind of Macbook that you own. 

Different generations are prone to unique pros and cons. Let’s take a look at how specific MacBooks tend to do as they get older. 

Different MacBooks and Lifespans

The traditional MacBook was discontinued after 2019. There are still a lot of new or lightly used MacBooks on the market, though. Those devices tended to last around 6 years if they were properly maintained. 

In a lot of cases, especially if they were stationary or lightly used, standard MacBooks would last even longer than 6 years. The MacBook Pro tends to have around the same lifespan as the Macbook. 

MacBook Airs are known to last anywhere from 3 to 5 years and can reach out even longer if they’re well-cared for. The general age ranges listed above are what you can expect if you put your computer through regular use and don’t push it too hard or baby it more than normal. 

So, you can reasonably expect any Mac laptop you buy to last for 3 years at the very least, but probably a lot longer than that. It’s also important to take a look at some of the reasons that these devices break down in the long run and how those issues can be avoided. 

What Goes Wrong?

The first issues that you experience with an aging MacBook are going to deal with the hardware. Hardware and software are easy to mix up sometimes, so remember that “hardware” on your computer consists of physical pieces like screens, keyboards, and even physical storage components. 

In many cases, the base functions of the computer won’t start to slow down until long after things like, say, your screen start to dwindle. In this sense, you can stretch the life of your MacBook out a great deal if you simply have these components restored. 

How Do Macbooks Compare to PCs?

Looking at the lifespan of a MacBook in comparison to that of a PC might be helpful in your decision-making process. 

PCs are considerably more varied in computer models, which makes it a little more difficult to narrow down their general lifespan. There may be a PC or two that will last longer than a MacBook of any kind, but it might not have the other requirements that you need. 

Additionally, it’s probably going to cost you a lot of money. 

Standard PCs differ from Macs in that they’re composed of numerous parts from different companies. They function well, but the inconsistency in manufacturing can cause those parts to stop working together so well after a while. 

Various pieces of equipment put together into one machine are prone to cause complications. As a result, most PCs last anywhere from 2 to 4 years when they’re treated well, depending on the model that you get. 

Other Factors That Extend MacBook Lifespan

The fact that all of the components for MacBooks are produced to work specifically within Macs makes the machine a little more sturdy in the long run. 

It’s also important to note that Mac’s operating system is extremely intuitive and always being updated. Those updates improve security, streamline functions, manage energy usage, and more. 

All of those factors consistently make the Macbook run even more efficiently and live a little bit longer. Antivirus protection, for example, can actually extend the life of your computer. 

Malware and other difficulties can put excess strain on your computer without you even knowing. When one area of your hard drive is suffering other areas will have to compensate and degrade as well. 

It’s like when you break your ankle and have to lean on the opposite leg more for support. It’ll do for a while, but your back will start to hurt eventually, then your neck and the rest of the body will follow. 

So, keeping updated and in the Apple loop will help extend your lifespan as well. 

Have Your Device Checked Up On

We don’t often think of our computers as needing regular checkups as cars do. That said, a used car might only be a couple of thousand dollars more than your laptop. 

If you get the device checked on by professionals on a regular basis, you’ll be far more likely to catch issues and optimize your computer’s performance for many years to come. Professional checkups are arguably the best way to get your MacBook’s lifespan to stretch out for more than 5 or 6 years. 

Need More Tech Insight?

So, how long should a MacBook last? It might be 3 years if you’re rough with it but could stretch out beyond 6 years if you take care of everything properly. There’s a lot to learn when it comes to maintaining your devices and we’re here to help. 

Explore our site for more ideas and insight into technology, maintenance, and more.