battery in laptop

[martynsnowman]

i just got myself a new laptop and gave the battery its first long charge , as i use it mostly at home pluged into the mains , can any1 say if its best to leave the battry in the computer charging when i use it or leave the battry full but remove it from the laptop ????

[BangkokButcher]

I have always left mine in, but in all honesty, I do believe it is better to remove it:

When using a laptop as a desktop replacement the battery should not be left in for long periods of time. The laptop will over time discharge the battery. Remove the battery – making sure that it is charged to 40% and store it in a dry, warm place. Ensure that it is wrapped protectively and nothing will be dropped on it.

The battery should be re-installed every 3-4 weeks and allowed to fully discharge. Leaving a battery in storage for longer than this without using could cause the battery to fully discharge as the circuitry of the battery itself consumes power.

Leaving a battery in a laptop while using an electrical outlet for long periods of time will keep the battery in a constant state of charging up and that will reduce the life cycle of the battery.

Remember that when you have removed the battery from a laptop while using with an electrical outlet – the automatic battery backup is no longer functional. Make sure to plug your laptop into an uninterrupted power source (UPS) not directly into an outlet or surge protector.

[jackspratt]

Leave it neither fully charged (about 40% is recommended), and certainly not in the laptop for any extended period if you are using mains power.

It is also recommended that if you are not using the battery, you should fully discharge and then recharge about once a month (to the 40% mentioned above). Of course of you know you will be using the battery exclusively for a period, fully charge it.

You should also try to avoid constantly fully discharging and recharging.

There is also a school of thought that if the battery won't be used for a period, wrap it well in a plastic bag, and keep it in the fridge.

I wish I had known all this before I (metaphorically) r00ted my battery - cost of replacement (genuine article) close to A$200

[martynsnowman]

thanks for the replys and the good info , just 1 more thing as you,ve guessed by now i know very little about computers or laptops , when i,ve removed my battery and put it in storage do i then leave the lap top pluged into the mains full time or just plug it in when i want to use it ??
and if theres no battery in it and its not pluged into mains would i loose day and date infomation ?
thanks again for any info .

[BobHelm]

You do not lose any information if both the battery and mains power are removed.

[BangkokButcher]

thanks for the replys and the good info , just 1 more thing as you,ve guessed by now i know very little about computers or laptops , when i,ve removed my battery and put it in storage do i then leave the lap top pluged into the mains full time or just plug it in when i want to use it ??
and if theres no battery in it and its not pluged into mains would i loose day and date infomation ?
thanks again for any info .

Just plug it in when you're going to use it, unless it's not going to be for a long time, over 6 months or so.

[jackspratt]

Marty the laptop contains another internal battery, which ensures all the data you need when you start up (in the BIOS) is retained.

[maaka]

I wouldnt leave anything in the wall socket when not in use...I had my favorite ghetto blaster blow..and now I always use a power surge guard device between the wall socket and appliance...

[Techland]

And here comes a totally different advice: leave the battery in all time. 2 reasons:

- all modern laptops have intelligent electronics that treat the battery correctly even if it is not discharged for a longer time

- you loose the UPS (uninterruptable power supply) feature of your laptop. And this is something you definitely need in Udon/Thailand.

[Paul]

This thread about laptop batteries was moved into this section (computers) as it concerns computers and was listed under topics for General topics about UdonThani (which it is not)

[thedude]

OK, so who knows the skinny about surge protectors here?

I've been told many times that the cheap ones sold here are not real surge protectors, maybe glorified extension cords, with a fuse.

Anyone know details about this, and their efficacy & safety perhaps? Thanks.

[UdonExpat]

The battery in my laptop has been there for about 5 years without being taken out. Several times a year I run it on battery power until the low battery warning comes on (or sometimes I forget and the machine powers down), and then I plug it back in to the power supply. The battery has the same longevity as it had when it was new.

As Techland observes, the UPS function will save you from unexpected shutdowns.

[KHONDAHM]

OK, so who knows the skinny about surge protectors here?

I've been told many times that the cheap ones sold here are not real surge protectors, maybe glorified extension cords, with a fuse.

Anyone know details about this, and their efficacy & safety perhaps? Thanks.

What you heard is correct. I found that out the hard way years ago. The wife didn't listen last year, relied on a locally purchased "expensive" surge protector, and now her HP laptop is at HP waiting on a new motherboard (since September! ). Bill is THB 8k (which she has to pay from "her" money, not the house's or mine - som-non-na).

If you can't find a recognized brand, even if it is a generic "expensive" one, then don't assume it is safe. If in doubt, most locally sold UPS's (even off-brand ones) have good surge protection built-in. More expensive and bulky - yes - but the peace of mind is priceless.