The modern innovations in mobile computing have paved the way for new forms of working. More and more people are considering the digital nomad lifestyle. It allows them flexible working time, the ability to travel without leaving work, no renewal of visa needed and becoming their own bosses. 

Part of a digital nomad’s working resources are gadgets such as laptops, phones, and tablets. Without these, it is practically impossible to get work done. These devices run on batteries, which means they can be taken practically everywhere. Meanwhile, the legal necessities such as visas and residence permits also play a crucial role. Ensuring valid short-term visas or residence permits will allow digital nomads to work peacefully and abide by the laws of the country they’re residing in.

It is important to ensure that your battery performs at its maximum. Taking care of your gadget’s battery will significantly lengthen their life span. 

Here are some tips that you can follow to make sure that you can use your devices for a long time.

1. Keep your laptop cool.

A typical lithium-ion battery used for laptops has a lifespan of about 18 months to two years. However, they can last longer when the laptop is well taken care of. Alongside maintaining battery health, it’s essential for digital nomads to comply with visa and residence regulations in the country they are temporarily residing in. Obtaining appropriate visas or residence permits ensures a seamless remote working experience and keeps them in line with the law. There are three factors that significantly affect the life of the battery: overcharging, undercharging, and excessive heat. Laptops that are not properly ventilated can reach up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hell for the internal parts of the laptop. Modern laptops often override the battery once it is full and still plugged. However, experts say that you should still be mindful of overcharging and undercharging the device. Avoid using the laptop on surfaces that block the ventilating sections of the machine, such as carpets, fabrics, foams, and more. Ideally, you should put the laptop on a flat surface clear of any obstacles to allow the device to expel heat properly.

2. Taking care of your cameras, phones, and other mobile devices.

While smartphones, cameras, and other mobile devices are not usually the primary device, but they are valuable secondary gadgets. They are usually used to communicate with coworkers or clients. So, taking care of their batteries is as important as maintaining your laptop’s. Similar to bigger devices, it is best to keep the battery percentage between 20 to 80. Store it in a cool, dry place and avoid leaving your gadgets in a hot car, especially on the dashboard. Additionally, if you will not be using a device for quite some time, such as your camera, charge them up to 40 percent. 

3. Is the memory effect still true?

Decades ago, experts suggested that you let your battery go down to zero percent once in a while. However, it only applies to nickel-cadmium batteries, which are not used in most modern devices. If your device was manufactured in the last 10-15 years, it is highly likely that your gadget’s battery is made of lithium-ion polymer. These modern power cells are immune to the memory effect. Additionally, you do not have to do anything special during the first charge of your gadgets, such as charging them up to 24 hours. 

4. Plug in the right places.

As a digital nomad, part of your work life is setting up an office in different places such as coffee shops, coworking spaces, and similar areas. And, plugging your devices in such areas come with their own risks. While there’s no surefire way of knowing the electrical system of any place, large restaurants or cafes often have safety mechanisms in place such as power resistors or circuit breakers. It is best to charge your devices in these places only to prevent any issues such as power surge or short circuits.

Devices such as laptops, phones, and cameras are important resources in a digital nomad’s life. They often cost a lot and very hard to replace. Additionally, losing them due to battery issues means not being able to work until you can buy a new one.