TL;DR: Load-shedding (beurtkrag) accelerates battery wear and exposes weak packs. If you notice a swollen case, short run-time or sudden shutdowns, stop charging, back up your files and book a safe replacement. We’ll fit the new pack, test charging, and dispose of the old battery through a lawful e-waste stream.

Why load-shedding wears batteries faster

Frequent charge/flat cycles, heat and brownouts stress lithium-ion cells. Laptops used as “desktops” on the charger also degrade if they run hot near 100% for months. Signs the pack is at end-of-life:

Short run-time even after a full charge
Abrupt shutdown at 20–40%
“Service battery” or “Replace soon” warnings
Physical swelling: raised trackpad/keys, case gaps, or the laptop rocking on a flat table

If swelling is present, don’t keep using it. Pressure can crack the trackpad or, in worst cases, puncture the cell.

Safe steps right now

Power down & unplug. Don’t place a heavy bag on the lid.
Back up essentials. Cloud (OneDrive/Google Drive) or an external USB drive. Need help? We can set this up: Cloud backup setup.
Don’t puncture or “deflate.” That’s dangerous and irreversible.
Arrange a bench check. We’ll confirm the pack model, health and charging circuit and quote before work.

How we source and fit batteries (what you can expect)

Model-matched parts. We identify the exact pack code and propose OEM or high-grade compatible options with warranty (typically 3–12 months).
Bench-safe swap. Anti-static handling, adhesives/fasteners replaced as needed, and connectors inspected for heat damage.
Health check after fit. Charge/discharge test, firmware/bios battery relearn if the model requires it.
Thermal clean if needed. If fan vents are clogged, we’ll recommend a quick clean to prevent heat-related capacity loss.

Book here: Battery replacement

Load-shedding survival tips (beurtkrag)

Work in bursts on battery-saver. Drop screen brightness; close heavy apps (video editing, VM).
Use a small UPS or power bank rated for laptops (USB-C PD 60–100W) to ride short outages.
Avoid deep cycles. Try to keep charge between 20%–80% when possible; heat and 0% runs shorten life.
Ventilation matters. Don’t block the underside on blankets/soft couches during outages.
Spare chargers & cables. Keep one at home and one in the bag to reduce strain on ports.

Lawful disposal & POPIA

Old packs and damaged electronics must not go to general refuse. We separate and route them through accredited e-waste streams. If your device contains personal data we’re not servicing, request a data wipe or certified destruction of storage:

E-waste handling → E-waste policy
Certificate of Data Destruction (for storage devices) → Certified Wipe (CoDD)

Book with confidence (and back up first)

Timeframes: Many swaps are same/next-day if the pack is in stock; special models may be 2–4 working days.
Pricing: Depends on model and pack grade; we’ll quote before work.
Data safety: Battery work doesn’t touch your drive, but we strongly recommend a backup beforehand.
→ Need help? Cloud backup setup

Ready to sort it?

Replace the battery → Battery replacement
Back up before service → Cloud backup setup
Ask a quick question or arrange drop-off → Contact us

Stay safe: if you see swelling, power down and bring it in. We’re local to Stellenbosch and can help you ride out load-shedding with a healthy, reliable laptop.