5 Laptop Myths You Should Stop Believing

There are certain notions about laptops, such as that one should recharge them only once the battery is completely drained, or that more RAM always makes a laptop faster. While these tips were relevant years ago, many of them no longer apply to modern laptops.

The bad news is that these myths continue to circulate, leading many users to make unnecessary changes to the way they use their laptops. However, to help users with that, we are breaking down the most common laptop myths that users should stop believing, along with the facts behind them.

Here's a look at some of the most common laptop myths that users should stop believing, along with the facts behind them.

Why It Matters

It is worth noting that there are several laptop users across the globe who still believe the tips that were relevant years ago but no longer apply to new-generation laptops. If they keep believing these myths, it will lead to poor charging habits, unnecessary upgrades, reduced performance, or might affect their buying decisions. What's important is to understand what's true and what's not, as it will help them get better overall performance.

Laptop Myths That Need to Be Busted

Myth 1: Keeping a Laptop Plugged In All the Time Will Affect the Battery

Busted: Several people believe that keeping a laptop plugged into the charger all day or overnight will permanently damage the laptop's battery. However, new-generation lithium-ion batteries feature inbuilt controllers that automatically stop charging once the battery reaches 100 percent. After that, the laptop switches to power from the adapter.

Therefore, leaving a laptop plugged in is fine for everyday use, but it is strongly advised to use the manufacturer’s battery health setting and avoid excessive heat and blocked vents.

Myth 2: Drain the Battery Fully Before Recharging

Busted: There is a misconception that one should always drain the battery to 0 percent before plugging it in again, and that doing so supposedly "calibrates" the battery and keeps it healthy. However, it's a myth, as this advice comes from older nickel-based batteries that suffered from the "memory effect," while new-generation lithium-ion batteries do not have this problem. In fact, regularly draining a laptop's battery to 0 percent might reduce its overall lifespan, and it is advised to keep the battery between roughly 20 and 80 percent for long-term battery health.

Therefore, users can plug in their laptop whenever it is convenient, and there is no need to wait until the battery is nearly empty.

Myth 3: More Expensive Laptops Are Always Better

Busted: Many users believe that the higher the price, the better the laptop, but that's not entirely true. Notably, price does not always decide how good or bad a laptop can be. Many expensive laptops are simply expensive because of their slimmer designs, higher-resolution screens, or brand name. However, a well-specced mid-range laptop with a strong processor, enough RAM, a fast SSD, and good cooling can outperform a pricier model.

Therefore, it is advised to focus on the specifications, build quality, and how the laptop performs for daily tasks, rather than just the price.

Myth 4: Using a Laptop on a Soft Surface Won't Harm It

Busted: A number of laptop users assume that it is okay to use a laptop on a soft surface, such as a bed, pillow, blanket, or lap, without any extra support, as long as the bottom of the laptop does not feel excessively hot. However, that is a myth because soft surfaces can block the air vents on most laptops, restricting airflow and causing internal temperatures to rise. This can lead to thermal throttling, louder fan noise, and faster wear on the battery and other internal components.

Therefore, in order to ensure proper cooling, it is always recommended to use a laptop on a hard, flat surface or a stand that allows proper airflow.

Myth 5: More RAM Always Makes a Laptop Faster

Busted: If a user thinks that upgrading to higher RAM can be one of the best ways to boost the overall speed of the laptop, then they might be wrong. Notably, RAM definitely boosts the laptop's performance, but only up to a certain point. Once a laptop has enough RAM for everyday tasks (around 16GB for most users), adding more usually doesn't result in a noticeable performance boost. Instead, factors such as a faster SSD, a more capable processor, and an efficient cooling system often have a bigger impact on overall performance.

Therefore, for regular activities, upgrading from 16GB to 32GB or even 64GB is unlikely to make any huge difference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Next Steps

It is important to note that outdated laptop advice can do more harm than good. Understanding how modern laptops work can help users make better decisions about battery charging, RAM upgrades, overheating, and everyday usage.

You can also read our guides on choosing the right laptop bag and cleaning and maintaining your laptop bag. Along with that, there are easy to understand guides on when to repair or replace a laptop, how to extend your laptop's lifespan, set up a new laptop correctly, and improve your device's security with free antivirus tools and essential security tips.

And if you're thinking about replacing your current device, don't miss our picks for the best convertible,  business, gaming, creator, and travel-friendly laptops, along with our MacBook Air vs Windows ultrabooks comparison.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Battery management features and hardware specifications may vary depending on the laptop model and manufacturer, so users should always refer to the official recommendations for their device.