A computer that has a portable power supply can provide a greater capacity for working, studying and performing all of your computer-based activities. The convenience of a laptop is diminished, however, when your battery starts to lose its charger faster and faster. This is a common problem that many laptop owners face, but you don't have to be one of them. You can keep your laptop battery healthy and retaining its charge for as long as it designed to by following a few simple rules.

Alternate between using your battery and working while connected to the power supply. Let your laptop charge fully and remove the charger. Don't plug the charger back in until the battery is down to 25 percent of its capacity.

Turn off any programs that you do not intend to use for a long time. For example if you were creating a spreadsheet and have finished with the job until the next day, do not leave it running idle in the background.

Reduce the brightness of your display as low as possible while still being able to see your programs with ease. If you need to leave you laptop open, but do not need to see anything, turn the screen off totally.

Keep the metal points, where the battery and the computer connect, clean with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. This will get rid of grime and build up, making each charge more efficient.

Shut down your laptop when you don't plan on using it for the rest of the day. If you will just be away for a few hours, close the laptop and set it to hibernate.

Turn off functions that run automatically like auto saves and software updates. You can do these things manually and use less power from your battery.