Laptop Batteries - Extending Laptop Battery Life

Short Laptop Battery Life

Laptop batteries, even new or in new notebooks, do not seem to have such a long life. And as the notebook batteries age, they seem to hold a charge even less.

There are several reasons for short laptop battery life. Some of it is related to how you use the computer. Computer programs that are graphics intensive, use a lot of CPU cycles and/or have a lot of disk access will quickly use up laptop batteries. Using bright display screen settings also has an affect on the notebook battery life. Additionally, laptop battery life may be affected by manufacturing problems or trauma. But the most common reason for short life for laptop batteries is the lack of maintenance.

Break-in New Laptop Batteries

When you get a new laptop or new laptop battery, it needs to be broken in. Charge the battery overnight and then fully discharge and recharge it completely several times the first week. This is accomplished by plugging in laptop to charge overnight, and run the computer on battery power only until the computer shuts down.

Exercise Laptop Batteries Regularly

The most common battery used in laptops is the lithium-ion battery. The worst condition for a lithium ion battery is to be kept fully charged at elevated temperatures, This is the exact condition created when a notebook computer is constantly used on main power. The laptop batteries kept under this condition will loose the ability to hold a charge. Over time, the notebook can be run off the battery for shorter periods of time becoming unusable.

By keeping a laptop plugged in all of the time, and infrequently discharging the battery will reduce the overall life expectancy of the battery by fifty percent.

Laptop Battery Life Extension

Do not leave a charged battery dormant for long periods of time. That is, do not charge it up and let the computer sit idle. Use notebook on battery power for a little while before powering it down for extended period.

Avoid frequent full discharges of the notebook battery. This puts additional strain on the battery. Several partial discharges, with frequent recharges, are better for lithium-ion batteries than one deep one charge / discharge cycle. So, every few weeks run the laptop on battery power until the computer shuts, then charge it back up

Avoid excessive heat, like leaving the notebook battery in a hot car.

Laptop Battery Life Expectancy

A lithium-ion battery in use typically lasts between 2-3 years. Over time, the battery experiences capacity loss as the result of natural oxidation. Eventually, the cell resistance due to this oxidation reaches a point where the battery pack can no longer deliver the stored energy.