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I purchased an external mechanical keyboard to use with my new laptop, so as to prevent early damage to laptop keys and touchpad, and ensure that they last longer throughout the laptop's life. I've decided to use them at home (80% of the time) while engaging the built-ins when carrying my device to the college (20% of the time). I've been told many times that internal laptop keyboard repairs / replacements are very costly compared to the cost of purchasing an external set, so I bought an inexpensive yet popular combo from Dell. But I worry if this would affect my laptop's battery life.
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Hello, this is Emily.
Using an external mechanical keyboard with your laptop should not significantly affect your laptop's battery life. It may draw a small amount of power from your laptop's USB port. This should not have a significant impact on your battery life, but if you are concerned about conserving battery power, you may want to consider using a wireless keyboard that uses its own battery.
