Computer Battery Life Expectancy
Laptop battery life is one of the biggest problems computer users face. It can be frustrating to get a new computer and find that in just a few months, the time that you can use your laptop dwindles from two hours to an hour or less. There are ways to extend the life of your laptop battery, some brands that are better than others and in general steps you can take to keep your laptop running longer.
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Types
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There are two main types of laptop batteries in use today: Nickel metal hydride, or NiMH, and lithium ion, or LiON. These types replaced the older nickel cadmium (NiCd), which didn't offer the power needed to run today's modern laptop computers.
NiMH batteries were an improvement over NiCd batteries thanks to lower cost, higher safety, better reliability and higher power capacity. The only real drawback to using a NiMH battery is that they be fully discharged before recharging them for maximum effectiveness.
LiON batteries are the most popular notebook battery because they don't need to be fully run down before recharging. LiON batteries usually weigh less than NiMH batteries too, which is important in today's ultraslim laptop market. Since they use the newest technology available, LiON batteries usually cost more than NiMH batteries even through they might have the same capacity.
Capacity
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Laptop battery life varies depending on the laptop model and type of battery it contains. Other factors that can determine battery life include applications used, power-management settings and what features you use. Some factors that negatively affect battery life include the age of the battery and computer, the charge level, screen brightness and whether or not you have Wi-Fi connectivity.
All laptop batteries will suffer from decreased charge over time.
The power rating of a laptop battery is usually stated in terms of volts and milliamps, for example:10.8V, 3500mAH. The voltage rating (V) and milliamp hours (mAH) multiplied together give you milliwatt hours. For example, a 14.8 V battery with 4460 mAH gives you 66,000 milliwatt hours (66 watt-hours). The higher the watt hours, the longer the life of the battery. Most laptop batteries when new will not last more than three hours without recharging.
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How Do They Work?
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Inside each laptop battery are internal power cells. The cells are and controlled by a circuit board inside the battery. The circuit board is what helps regulate how the cells charge and recharge. This is what stops your battery from overcharging and what keeps it draining equally to give you the longest battery life.
Battery information is relayed to your laptop so you can check the life of your battery. In the lower corner of your screen, you will find a battery symbol that gives you a percentage of how much life is left in your battery.
Replacement and Back-Up Batteries
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When you purchased your laptop, it had a battery installed and this is the one you will probably be using for most of your computer's life. Most batteries last one to three years, and so you could end up replacing one before you replace your computer. At other times, you may wish to purchase a second battery to keep on hand during long trips or in case your battery runs out at an inopportune time.
You will probably need to purchase the same type of battery as the one that came with your computer. For example, if your computer came with a LiON battery, you will need your second battery to be LiON too. Never purchase a battery with anything less than a one-year warranty. If you are going to store your battery, reduce the charge to about 40 percent and store it in a cool, dry place such as your refrigerator.
Life Extension
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You can get the most life out of your battery and extend the time before your usage is reduced by following a few simple procedures. Avoid frequently running your battery all the way down. Never store your computer in a hot car or in full sun. If you run your computer on AC power most of the time, consider removing the battery at 40 percent of the charge and storing it in the fridge until you need it again. Alter the power management settings on your computer to the least draining and set your screen brightness to the dimmest that you are comfortable working on. When not using your Wi-Fi connection, disable the Wi-Fi adapter.
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