Misconceptions About Laptop Battery

Laptop battery is the most important aspects in selecting the right mobile computer. It can also be considered as the main concern of end-users in using and maintaining their laptops. Whereas there is a user's guideline about the proper handling of the battery which is included in every notebook package, there are still misconceptions of some people regarding the correct use and maintenance of a laptop battery. Below are some of them:

1. The battery must be charged over 12 hours for the first time of use. This is a misconception since Lithium-ion battery chip cuts off the circuit when it reaches the required voltage. As a matter of fact, it is best to use up all the power stored in the battery first before charging it.

2. Removing the battery every time the exterior power supply is used. Many people think that this method will extend the life of the battery. When the power adapter is connected in the laptop, the attached battery will not go overcharge or damage even if it is full already. This is because battery nowadays like the Dell XPS M1210 battery has power management chip protection. In addition, the notebook's power circuitry bypasses the battery except it is needed.

3. Removing the battery will prolong its life when planning to use the laptop for long period of time. This idea is one-sided. This is because rechargeable batteries have tendency to slowly self-discharge when it is not in use. Fortunately, there are Lithium-polymer and Lithium-ion batteries that have the lowest self-discharge rate.

So, how to preserve the battery if it is not going to be used for long time? It is a good practice not to save the battery when it is fully charged. Just preserve 30% to 40% of the power to slow the aging speed of the laptop battery.

4. Always discharging completely the battery before charging it is a good practice. Doing this method at all times, a user might need a new Li-ion battery. This is because battery leaves about 5% of its power and then requires charging it again. However, draining the battery completely sometimes (probably once a month) before charging is a good battery exercise to activate its partial capacitance.

5. When the battery reached 99% level and continued to be charged, it will explode. This is another myth since the charging portion will cut the battery off once it is fully charged. It is also unlikely to overheat or short circuit because newer laptop batteries today have power management features that monitor the power cycle as well as the temperature.