How to use a laptop battery properly...

Ronan H

OK, I'm awaiting delivery of a DELL XPS 1530, cant wait...

I've heard conflicting advice on the best way to use a battery in a laptop, some people have said to charge it up and when its full, run it on the battery until its flat and then charge it again and so on...

A DELL engineer came out to fix my graphics card last year and he said to leave it plugged in all the time when you are using it, unless obviously you are somewhere without a power supply...

Clearly DELL batteries have a limited life and they wear down to a state where they can barely operate for an hour (in my experience anyway) so does anyone have some definitive advice on the bast way to prolong battery life? WHat do ye think of the above advice?

Thanks...

Battery Head

chris85

Head wrote: »

OK, I'm awaiting delivery of a DELL XPS 1530, cant wait...

I've heard conflicting advice on the best way to use a battery in a laptop, some people have said to charge it up and when its full, run it on the battery until its flat and then charge it again and so on...

A DELL engineer came out to fix my graphics card last year and he said to leave it plugged in all the time when you are using it, unless obviously you are somewhere without a power supply...

Clearly DELL batteries have a limited life and they wear down to a state where they can barely operate for an hour (in my experience anyway) so does anyone have some definitive advice on the bast way to prolong battery life? WHat do ye think of the above advice?

Thanks...

Battery Head

I think it is best to use the plug whereever possible when using it. Using the plug bypasses the battery so you arent using the battery power thus no wear on the battery. I always keep mine plugged in when in use. plug out when charged and not turned on.

This is what i think is best but i may be contradicted!!!!

majiktripp

Like Women, batteries should be run down once a month, other than that you can leave it plugged in

Ronan H

:eek:

AlmightyCushion

If you are running on mains for a long period of time remove the battery other wise the heat may affect the battery life.

Overheal

The only heat generated in the battery in mine is at the point of charge. Past that it dissipates very quickly. Is that still a problem?

AlmightyCushion

Overheal wrote: »

The only heat generated in the battery in mine is at the point of charge. Past that it dissipates very quickly. Is that still a problem?

Well I assume the base of your laptop and your laptop gets warm. I also assume that it would be cooler (cool as in temperature and not cool as in fonzee) out of the laptop and somewhere where there isn't a heat source near it.

Voodu Child

The M1530 has a power connector that's pretty loose. At least mine does, and i've heard of others. It's not so bad that it'll be falling out every 10 minutes, but it'll come out every now and then if you're turning the laptop to show somebody something, or adjusting it's position on the desk etc. Or just plain trip over the lead.

But anyway, yeah, it'll pop out every now and then. So you'll be leaving the battery in 100% of the time, unless you want the computer to shut off.

Ronan H

Well I took ownership yesterday and all is well so far. I'm loving this thing. No issues with the power cable yet, I managed to swing the laptop around the kitchen by the cable and it stayed in place so thats impressive . I gotta say I'm impressed with all the little features on this machine, but this thread isnt about that so onwards to the battery...

Looks like a pretty decent battery life so far but its early days yet. Got over 3 hours out of it today with a few things running and installing loads of new software etc...

Thanks for all the suggestions by the way, much appreciated...

Head