Why does a laptop say it’s at 6-8% charge, and then it dies, but when it’s at a higher charge, going from 60% to 59% takes a while?

Question

Why does a laptop say it’s at 6-8% charge, and then it dies, but when it’s at a higher charge, going from 60% to 59% takes a while?

In: Technology

Answer 1

Voltage drop under load and allowable voltage tolerances of devices.

ELI5: You’re drinking a juice box and super thirsty, but if you suck any air your head explodes. If the box is full you can drink as fast as you want. But if it gets down low you have to sip really slow or your head will explode. You’re going along just fine riding in a car but getting a little low on juice, but you’re oblivious because the scenery outside is awesome. You grab the juice box and drink like normal, forgetting you’re getting low, and your head explodes.