November 05, 2009

Elongate Laptop Battery's Life

Author: Robert Palmer

Laptop batteries are of 3 types - Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion (LiON). They differ in cost, weight and specific features.
Lithium Ion (LiON) laptop batteries are normally recommended to use in technically advanced laptops. These batteries are powerful enough to run laptops plus accessories, such as mp3 players, DVD players and USB devices.

They are lighter than NiCd and NiMH batteries and have not got any memory effect.
If used in the proper way, LiON batteries are expected to run for around three years, but it is important to clarify that the three-year period of time starts when batteries are actually manufactured and not when they are actually exploited. A battery needs to be replaced when the PC cannot run any longer unless attached to the main supply through an adapter. Below are some guidelines to prolong battery's longevity.

• Avoid frequent complete discharges, since this puts added strain on a pc battery. Several partial discharges with frequent recharges are preferable for lithium-ion batteries than a full discharge. Recharging partially charged lithium-ion batteries is secure, since they have no memory. Short laptop battery's life in a laptop commonly depends on the high temperatures rather than charge - discharge patterns.
• It is advisable to fully discharge a laptop battery after 30 charges. Otherwise, the fuel gauge will get significantly less accurate and in some cases will cut off the device prematurely.
• Keep a lithium-ion laptop battery cool.
• Remove a pc battery from a laptop when it is run on a fixed power. (Some laptop producers express concern for dust and moisture that gather inside the pc battery casing.)

• Avoid purchasing spare LiON batteries for later deployment. Pay special attention to manufacturing dates. Do not buy old stock, even if it is available at lower prices.
• If you have got a spare LiON laptop battery, use one to the full and keep the other one cool by putting it into the fridge. Do not freeze the laptop battery. For optimal results, store the battery at 40% state-of-charge.
Before using any laptop, read a manual instruction supplied.

Commercial travellers, tourists and students are the most frequent buyers of laptops. If you would like your laptop to run non-stop for several hours, opt for Dell Latitude D620 Power Cord as well as Dell Inspiron - Batteries & Chargers.

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