Hi
Just a small query regarding laptop batteries and how you maintain their life..

Had a conversation about using a laptop whilst the main power supply was connected and plugged into the LT, the conversation led to someone suggesting it's also a good idea to remove the battery whilst mains supply are linked if you have long periods of time being connected to the mains..!!

Anybody got any thoughts or have experienced problems whilst using both..

I would probably recommend taking the battery out. My laptop is 2 years old and I'd say 99.9% of the time it is plugged in with the battery in. Now when I unplug the power supply the battery lasts maybe 15 minutes instead of the over 2 hours when it was new. Can't say for sure if it's because of having both in at the same time but it doesn't hurt to take it out unless the power goes out while you're working.

There is a process that I've heard someone calling 'initialising the battery'. Apparently you're supposed to do it every few months to ensure your battery holds it's charge properly but I have never bothered because I am so shockingly lazy. Here is the process as it was explained to me:

1) Fully charge your battery with the computer off.
2) Turn your laptop on and go into BIOS, this ensures a constant discharge rate and prevents any software controls that would put a computer into sleep, standby or any other power saving mode.
3) Leave the latop on, unplugged so that the battery drains down and goes completely flat.
4) Fully charge your battery with the computer off once more.

That's the sum total of it, I don't know if it helps anyone but I'm passing it on for what it's worth.

Craig

I agree with Larry

just bought a new laptop, fully charged the battery before use, I let the battery run down completely prior to recharging, as the battery has a "memory"....if you do not do this the life of the battery will fade fatser over time.


Will

A better alternative is to throw away the lithium ion battery; they're just portable time bomb and get some hand on bunch of tritium. You won't even need the AC Adaptor, as the life span is measured in years, not hours.

Of course, it'll be just so slightly difficult explaining to the friendly airport security personnel why you are carrying tritium.

How is Tritium an alternative to a time bomb?

See post #1 Extending laptop battery life

Hi Larry

Just seen your post - Not normally a forum I visit!

IMHO it is never a good idea to remove the batteries from any hardware which is designed to recharge it's batteries while it is on mains power; the batteries / charging circuits present a load to the power supply and can act to buffer the power to the laptop.

Without the batteries, fluctuations in the power to the PC could possiby damage the PC's electronics.

OK, the power supply circuits should be designed to prevent fluctuations / damage but as the power supply design included the battery / charging circuits load, removing the batteries may result in the PSU not operating within its design specification.

my 2c worth!

Actually, my laptop manufacturer actually says to remove the battery if you are going to be on AC power for an extended time. So, at least for mine, it would say that this argument is not valid.

Hi Bob

If the manufacturer states it's OK, or recommends it, then I certainly wouldn't quibble!