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With todays convergence of powerful technology with tiny form factor, laptops are no longer the slow cousin to desktop computers. With fast gaming or multimedia laptops now common, the real distinction is what it should have always been: portability. This feature relies on one thing though – having the best possible laptop battery. Laptop batteries are usually vendor-specific and can vary widely, providing anywhere from 2 to 10 hours of usage. Without a good battery, a laptop will be restricten to situations where it can be charged often.
When purchasing a laptop, consider the end use and look at the battery life accordingly. If you plan to use your laptop mainly around the house, charging often might be less inconvenient. Conveniently, larger laptops with modern video cards etc that are better suited to less mobile use will also be the models that need more regular charging as their advanced features increase battery use. For someone always on the go, a small netbook style laptop will run for hours with a 3 cell or 6 cell laptop battery powering it.
 If you want to buy a specific laptop brand that does not provide battery usage up to your requirements, you can always order an additional battery. Most laptops make it easy to change batteries, and a laptop bag will usually have plenty of pockets for spares. It is always a good idea to have an additional battery on hand if you use your laptop a lot while travelling anyway, or if you frequently use the computer away in areas without power outlets. Prices for additional laptop batteries vary, but spending around the $100 mark should assure you of a decent purchase.
Laptop battery life can diminish over time and eventually provide far less running time than when new. To make sure your battery remains almost as good as new even after the passage of time, here are a few tips:
- Fully charge your brand new battery pack before using.
- Do not over-charge a battery; it is never a good idea to leave the laptop on power supply even after the battery has been fully charged.
- Turning down the brightness of your laptop’s display will give you extended time until you have to recharge the battery again.
- Adding more RAM will reduce the usage of the hard-drive so that less power will be consumed
- Close any software in your laptop that is not being used.
- Do not expose the battery to water or any type of moisture.
- If you have additional batteries that are not in use for more than a month, make sure they are in fully charged state and stored in a cool and dry place.
- Keep the battery clean. Use cotton swabs or alcohol to clean the battery contact parts.
- Do not leave your battery dormant for a long time, exercise it.
- Use the fully optimized power plan for your battery that is provided by your computer’s operating system.
Using the tips described above, you can prolong the battery life of your laptop and therefore enjoy portability at its best. Making sure that you have a great battery can help you make your laptop work throughout the day and avoid the inconvenience of having to plug it in.
With the rapid technological advances of modern America, the laptop battery charger has become an indispensable device in almost every household. Many people need laptops for work or school, and since most batteries can withstand only a few hours of continual use, a charger is absolutely necessary when your laptop cord cannot be used or you need to be able to move your laptop.
Every laptop is different; therefore, not every laptop can use the same charger. Some chargers can only be used for a certain brand of laptop, while a growing number of them are compatible with as many as nine or ten brands. Whichever way you choose to go, make sure the charger carries your laptop brand. Another extremely crucial consideration is the voltage of the laptop battery. If the voltages do no match you run the risk of undercharging the battery when the volts are too low; and the battery could be severely damaged or even catch fire if the voltage is too high. Always be sure that the voltage on the battery and charger are the same within two or three numbers.
More and more stores are beginning to sell universal battery chargers. These are especially convenient for people with several laptops, cellular phones, and MP3 players or iPods. They generally have a plug or plugs for laptop tips and a USB port on one end and a wall socket plug on the other. Most universal chargers you will find have up to nine laptop tips for different brands and often a USB adapter for many cell phones. They will usually run from $50 to $100, depending on how many laptop brands and other devices it can support. Anything over $100 is probably not worth the money for most people.
Along with battery charging, there are ways to make a battery last. Always turn off the laptop when it is not in use. Screen brightness can be a battery drain, as well as programs that require a lot of memory. Any programs that are not being used should not be on your laptop. To avoid the memory affect – the idea that a battery loses charge capability if it is recharged unnecessarily – do not charge your battery unless it is needed, or consider using a lithium-ion battery if your laptop does not already have one. By preserving the life of your battery, you help prolong the life of the charger as well.
Laptop battery charger shopping does not have to be a difficult process. Decide ahead of time what is right for you, if you have to; write down the brand and voltage of your battery or batteries to make sure your new charger will match. Set aside the amount of money you want to spend based on whether or you want a universal charger or a one or two brand charger, which you can usually find for under $30. Finally, take care of the battery and charger so you will not have to buy another one soon.
With the availability and versatility of modern gadgets, it is easy to take them for granted until the batteries go dead. Scrambling to find an electrical outlet in the middle of a crowded airport or a local coffee shop is all it takes to remind laptop users of the importance of a good battery. Having a backup for these occasions is even better. Whether replacing a worn-out battery or buying an extra one for an emergency, knowing what to look for makes the process easier and less likely to go awry.
When looking to buy a long battery life laptop, it is best to stick with reputable brands and to look for a warranty of at least twelve months. Depending on the power used by the computer and the programs being run, newer versions of laptop batteries last approximately three to five hours. Eventually, however, the battery starts to lose its charge more quickly or to stop fully charging. The first thing to consider when buying a replacement is the model number and make of the laptop. This can be found either in the user’s manual, on the original box, on the inside of the battery compartment, or on the outer covering of the battery itself.
There are usually several choices of batteries for any particular model and make of laptop. Although there are different kinds of batteries, a specific type is usually required for a particular computer. In addition to choosing the correct kind of battery, it is preferable to buy one that holds a charge as long as possible.
NiCad, or nickel cadmium, batteries were once the most commonly used laptop batteries. They not only held less power than later models, but they could only be charged a limited number of times. If they were recharged before they were completely drained or if they were left on the charger after being charged, they quickly lost their power.
The next battery developed was the NiMN, or nickel metal hydride battery. Although the NiMN battery could hold more power than its predecessor, it still had a less severe version of the memory problem experienced with the Nicad. As a result, new technology developed the Li-lon, or lithium ion, battery. While the lithium ion battery still holds comparable power to the nickel metal hydride, it has several advantages over both older models. Not only is it lighter, but it has no memory effect. For the laptop that supports a Li-lon battery, this is by far the best choice. Another advanced choice for some laptops is the Li-Poly battery.
While some of these batteries are more efficient than others, they all must be properly cared for in order to ensure their longevity and function. Some experts recommend fully draining all batteries and recharging them every few weeks to maintain their full capacity. Others say that this is not necessary for Li-lon batteries.
If it is necessary to store a laptop battery for several months, the battery should be discharged to half of its full power and removed from the computer. If a partially drained battery is stored indefinitely, it may lose its ability to be charged fully. If it is completely discharged before storage, it may completely lose its capacity to be charged. Climate is, also, an issue. All laptop batteries may be damaged if stored in temperatures above 95 degrees or below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
With the proper care and careful selection, not only can users ensure they have the most powerful, longest-lasting battery for their laptops, but they can have a trustworthy back-up, as well.
Everyone who has owned a laptop for a year or two has encountered their frustrating tendency of quickly running out of power. Most laptop batteries are rated for between 300 and 1000 charges, or between one and four years of use. After that time, they can hold a charge for only minutes or not at all, meaning that the laptop must be plugged into the wall when you use it. Many people wonder if laptop battery repair is an option. The answer is yes, but it might be more than the average user wants to get involved with.
Laptop batteries can cost a hundred dollars or more. This expense is a hassle after only a year or three of use, and often ends up being an unwelcome nuisance for laptop users. Most models are lithium ion batteries, and they run down because of cell oxidation, which causes increased resistance in the battery. Although technology is improving, this remains a fact of life for laptop technology. Often, batteries that do not function well usually still have stored energy; they just cannot deliver the required energy to the computer. One interesting fact is that heating a worn down battery may temporarily cause it to function again.
Yes, it is possible to replace worn out energy cells in lithium ion batteries. This is rarely done on a personal consumer level, however, because the chemistry is a little bit complicated. Assembling pieces that do not match can cause fire or explosion. There is also a digital element to understand about these batteries, and if correct protocols are not followed, loss of information or malfunction will result. For this reason, most lithium ion laptop batteries are sold preassembled for specific computers. Although it is expensive to replace them, it certainly is less complicated than fixing them yourself.
Someone who wants to get involved in laptop battery repair will probably need to have special equipment like a battery analyzer and re-conditioner. Because battery technology is not standardized, results will vary depending on battery type, and some expertise will be required. Complications may arise even if cell recharge is accomplished. The digital circuit may be scrambled or lose information, for example. The more complex these batteries get, of course, the more complicated become the repairs.
It is possible to buy the specific cells for your computer using the model number from the battery pack. Most computers use six cells. By prying off the back of the pack, slicing the used batteries out of their casing, and replacing them with the new ones, it is possible to rejuvenate a used up battery. In most cases, this will save you some money over buying a completely new battery, but beware, as it will most likely void your warranty.
There are a few small-scale services that specialize in battery repair. Because of warranty issues and convenience, however, the prevailing consumer trend is to replace the entire battery pack every few years. Rapidly evolving technology is improving battery life, but also making it less competitive for small operators to get into battery repair. The bottom line is that laptop battery repair is a real option and can save money. The downside is added complication and the risk of something going wrong.
A laptop battery monitor might be a useful tool for many in this wireless world. Knowing the battery life of a laptop is vital to the business traveler, the mobile warrior and any person who relies on portable electronic communication for personal use or their livelihood. The monitor is a software program that enables user monitoring of laptop battery performance. It can also keep an eye on uninterruptible power supplies, better known as UPS.
This type of software is so much more than the typical tool bar icon that comes installed with every laptop. With a laptop battery monitor the owner can see a graphic of the battery’s rate of charge and discharge, can see detailed statistics that spell out problems with battery cells, and can measure and compare these ill batteries with the charge that is expected of them. Additionally, a laptop battery monitor will display the computer’s battery discharge point, identify specific battery packs for inventory and tracking, log battery performance, and keep track of the performance of each battery if the owner is using more than one battery.
These battery monitors are a bargain, retailing for $25 or less for one user. Several software suppliers offer substantial discounts for multiple-user licenses, and provide free upgrades. Since the monitors are software programs, they can be electronically downloaded, thus saving any shipping and handling costs as well. The added advantage is that they are immediately available.
Prices vary, but common software starts from around $9.99 for a basic laptop battery monitor. There are plenty that offer a free trial, so you can try before you buy. Features to look for include a display that indicates the time remaining until the laptop’s battery is full charged whether running on AC or battery. Most packages will start up automatically when the laptop is turned on. It sends out an audible alert when the battery charging stops, when it starts, when the battery becomes fully charged, and when its charge drops below a percentage of charge set by the user.
The primary point of a laptop battery monitor is to prevent what is known as deep discharge. This condition is not specific to laptop batteries, but is a crucial issue to those who want to extend their battery’s life. Eight out of ten batteries fail too early in their standard life cycle because of deep discharge issues. The root cause is build up of sulfur molecules known as sulfation. The deep discharge starts to coat the battery’s lead plates and it dies. Some of the things that send the batteries to their early graves are sitting too long between charges, being stored without any energy input, undercharging of the battery, and exposure to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Sub zero weather can result in deep discharge as well.
Beyond preventing deep discharge, a laptop battery monitor quite often can act as theft protection or retrieval after theft. Even free software for battery monitoring can do this. One free downloadable application sends out a loud alarm when someone tries to steal the laptop. Additionally, it recovers and destroys sensitive data on the laptop as needed.
The uses of a laptop battery monitor are important. The price is affordable. No laptop owner should be without this handy, affordable application.
Laptops of old featured Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries, which were not environmentally friendly–especially when improperly disposed. They had very little up time compared to today’s notebook battery, and had debilitating issues with battery memory. Each time they were used they would only recharge to the point at which the user turned it off previously. Following the Ni-Cad was the Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) battery with no memory troubles, longer life, and better efficiency. Although it was a step forward, the Lithium-Ion battery improved the shelf life of a charged battery at rest and performs with greater efficiency while in use. Fortunately, battery technology will continue to improve along with the electronic devices they are made to power.
When selecting a new laptop, the battery is an important factor; they are not all created equal. Depending upon the type and amount of programs you typically run simultaneously while working, surfing the Internet, or playing games, the battery can drain very quickly. Add to that, powering a 17″ screen on full brightness and running the DVD drive will suck the life out of it before you have even gotten started.
 CNET Labs perform notebook battery tests on all laptops they review. The same exact programs are set to run on a fully charged battery in each. The ThinkPad X60s by Lenovo has come in as the longest lasting to date with 8 hours and 16 minutes. The Fujitsu model number Q2010 can power through for up to seven and a halfhours when set up with a battery that has an extended life. Coming in at seven hours and twenty-one minutes is a Dell Inspiron E1405; the ToughBook 74 by Panasonic lasted 7 hours and 18 minutes, followed by a Lenovo ThinkPad R60 at 6 hours and 25 minutes. An HP Compaq nc2400, on the inexpensive side, lasted 6 hours and 6 minutes.
Frequent travelers away from power outlets for extended periods of time may want to invest in an extra battery or two. Some laptop models have an add-on battery feature, which can gain a few more hours of running time. From expansion slots to battery plates installed on the bottom, there are options that will give you the extra power you need. Bear in mind, extra batteries can be quite expensive depending on the particular notebook computer, but on-line comparison-shopping can save quite a bit of money.
If you and your laptop are often moving from one location to another and need more time to work or play than your current notebook battery can provide, popping out the DVD drive (requires no tools) and inserting an extra add-on battery in its place is one of the easiest ways to increase the running time. Also, dimming the display will save battery life and running no more than one or two programs at a time. A new battery will perform to its maximum when the manufacturer’s instructions are followed precisely. If it is recommended to fully drain and fully charge it a specific number of times, then doing so will certainly extend its life. Never store your battery on a conductive, grounded surface. It will eventually drain the cells to 0% and ruin the battery.
All rechargeable batteries naturally fade out after prolonged use. With accumulated wear and continued use, the battery’s performance will inevitably suffer. In most cases, this efficiency reduction happens gradually most typically in the course of seventeen months. Power users and computer gamers might even expect their batteries to degrade after only eleven months of use. However, unlike nickel-metal and other commercial batteries, Dell laptop batteries are in a league of their own. This is because they take advantage of lithium ion technology. This modern technological advancement extends the life of a rechargeable battery for up to two years before any significant battery degradation can be seen.
The main benefit of having a lithium ion battery is largely dependent on the design and the materials that make up the battery. Dell batteries, in general, are both safe and highly effective for personal use. This is because all Dell batteries are in strict compliance with North American and EU regulatory mechanisms, thereby ensuring that they do not contain any elements of lead, cadmium, and mercury. A Dell laptop battery works by transporting lithium ions from a negative to a positive electrode when it discharges. Conversely, it moves the ions in the opposite direction during when it charges.
 The reason why lithium ion technology is an unparalleled choice for charging rechargeable batteries is because of a number of reasons. Here are some of them:
First, a dell laptop battery does not have to be fully recharged and discharged in order to maintain maximum life. This is unlike generic laptop batteries that require both of these in order for the battery to function properly. Second of all, it relatively has one of the best weight to energy ratios, and it also slowly discharges energy when the device is either not in use or on standby. This is primarily because the power discharge of a Dell battery ranges from around five to ten percent in a month. Moreover, a laptop battery does not lose its total capacity after one discharge.
However, even when this is the case, it is still essential that you remember certain precautionary measures in order to make sure that your battery maintains its optimum performance. The first thing that you can do is to set your power setting to the lowest possible level. As an example, you can turn Bluetooth or wireless functions off when you are not using any of both applications. Another thing that you can do is to set your screen’s brightness level lower during the day. Finally, if you are storing your battery for approximately five or more days, you need to charge your Dell laptop battery in advance. You must not also store it in extreme temperatures, or attach it to a power source.
Dell laptop batteries can offer you so many benefits, and you will seldom come across rechargeable batteries that take full advantage of the lithium ion technology. However, you also need to remember that you have to take extra care of your laptop battery through the measures mentioned above because these steps will guarantee that your battery’s lifespan will extend even beyond its established usability limit.
Whether you need a new battery to replace your old one or a backup for when you do wear out your battery, a Toshiba laptop battery should be relatively easy to find. Knowing what type of battery you need for your laptop is one-step in helping make sure your machine lasts a long time and functions properly. The first step in getting the right battery is determining which one is best for the model of your Toshiba laptop.
There are many batteries compatible with the various brands of Toshiba laptops including the Libretto, Mini Notebook, Portege, Qosmio, Satellite, Satellite Pro and Tecra. For example, if you have a Toshiba Qosmio, you have at least 50 models of batteries from which to choose in this series. If you have an F501, you can find a PA3640U-1BRS that is 100% with your laptop. This battery is also compatible with other Qosmio models including the F50 and F55. This particular battery has 14.4 volts and a 4000 mAh capacity. The eight-cell count battery uses Li-Ion technology.
If you have a laptop in the Libretto series, you can try the Toshiba Primary 6-cell Li-Ion laptop battery that is compatible with the U100 and U105 models. The lightweight, rechargeable battery has a normal life of up to five hours after a three- to eight-hour recharge depending upon the condition of your system. It has a 10.8V x 37Wh capacity and its half-pound design makes it perfect for those who travel on business or work remotely often and need to change batteries when there is no power source available.
Most of these batteries are available at discount prices costing less than $100. However, the cost will depend upon the series of the laptop. A Toshiba laptop battery compatible with some Tecra and Satellite Pro models may cost about $50 while BTI replacement batteries for the Notebook cost just less than $100. When shopping for batteries, though, it is important to buy them new and not used in order to get the maximum power from your battery.
Having a good replacement battery is essential to keeping your laptop in working order whether you are traveling across the country or working in the local coffee shop. Just be sure to find the right type of battery compatible to the model and series of your machine to avoid any undue complications and take as much care of the battery as you do the laptop.
Laptop batteries are essential for portability use of your laptop. After all, convenient mobile use of the computer is probably one of the main reasons as to why you bought a laptop instead of a desktop. Therefore, you want to be able to get full usage on the go without always having to find an outlet for the adapter. An HP laptop battery can provide perfectly mobile functionality. Your laptop should have originally come with a battery, but it is often necessary to replace them. With proper care, a new laptop battery should last you a few years.
Different HP laptop models require different battery models. It is important to make sure that the battery is compatible with the particular laptop you are purchasing it for or it will not perform optimally if at all. When purchasing a new battery, the packaging or the description on the website should clearly state which models it is compatible with. Never use a battery in a computer that it is not specified for use in. Using the wrong battery type can cause damage to your equipment.
Batteries come in cell sizes. The cell size of your battery will determine how much uninterrupted computing time you will get out of it from a fully charged state. HP laptop batteries range in size from 3-cell to 12-cell. A 3-cell battery comes standard with many laptops, but will only get you about two and a half hours of use. Many models will allow you to upgrade to a 6-cell battery or larger for drastically extended usage time depending on performance settings and the types of programs used. For the HP Compaq pPresario V3000 and V6000, as well as most of the Pavilion DV range, high quality 8800mAh 12 cell batteries offer up to 6 hours of use without recharging, making a great option for travel use.
If battery life is critical to you, many HP laptops can be configured to extend battery life without upgrading the battery further – or change the processor as well as upgrade the battery for even more performance. For example, the new HP EliteBook 6930pcan have the processor downgraded and an 8 cell battery fitted to double its time spent between charges.
Even if you already have a properly functioning battery, it can be nice to own multiple batteries for extended usage time. Charge all batteries before you leave, and then when one loses power you can simply switch it out with a fully charged one rather than having to sit near an outlet while the first one recharges. Students often find this handy when carrying laptops for use in several classes in a row or for long hours studying in a library or lounge, for example. On that note, if processing power isn’t a priority, your choice of laptop will be the key determinant in how long the battery will last. Small laptops or netbooks tend to run for much longer due to their reduced processing requirements, both in CPU and video card. For example the HP Mini 110-1020NR and it’s successor the 110-3030NR offer from 3-4 hours of battery life in the standard 3 cell battery configuration. This can be doubled by upgrading to a 6 cell battery pack, offering an amazing6-8 hours on a charge.
In conclusion, make sure you are using the right battery for your laptop and always take care of your battery (or batteries) for optimal performance. It is advisable to let your battery completely expire and then fully recharge it before unplugging it again whenever possible. Also make note of any instructions provided and follow them carefully to ensure that you get the full benefits that your product has to offer.
Laptop computers are increasingly becoming the primary computer that most people use. This is because in addition to the size, cost and portability advantages they have always had over desktop models, many of them now are powerful enough to do the kind of work that only the desktops could do well in the past. However, laptops still have some weaknesses, and one of the primary ones is that if you are using battery power, the amount of time you can do work on your laptop before having to recharge the battery can be surprisingly short. Luckily, there are some batteries that are considerably better than the default ones that come with your laptop. Following is a guide to purchasing the best laptop battery for your needs.
When searching for a battery, there are other concerns besides how long you can go on one charge. The main other things to consider are how many times you can recharge the battery before it is time to replace it, how hot the battery gets, the price, the build quality, and of course, whether the battery will work for your particular computer.
The manufacturers of computers will tell you that the best laptop battery not made by their own company is an “OEM” battery. OEM is the acronym for original equipment manufacturer and means that the battery maker has been licensed by the computer maker to make the battery and to sell it under the computer maker’s brand name. However, there are other, generic batteries that will work fine, and they are usually less expensive. Almost all batteries for laptops are the lithium-ion type.
To get the best battery laptop battery for your computer, try a search online using a search term that uses the exact phrase “battery for”, in quotes, along with the model name and number. For example, your search could look like this: “battery for Inspiron 1525″. The first few pages of results will include both OEM and non-OEM batteries. The main thing to keep in mind when searching for the best laptop battery for you is that there is no substitute for patience. There is a lot of conflicting and untrue material on the internet, and it is only by looking through a wide selection of sites that you can make a truly informed decision.
If being able to use a battery for a long time on one charge is the main thing you are looking for, the best laptop battery will go for about six hours when new. This time is measured in milliAmp hours or mAh. Look for a battery that is rated at least 7000mAh. If you want one that is best for long life before needing a replacement, three years is about the longest life you will find. Keep in mind that how long it lasts depends very much on how you use it.
In the end, the best laptop battery is one that is used properly. If you clean its contacts every few months, use a charged battery at least every few weeks, and do not let it discharge all the way, your battery will have a longer life. It will also go longer on a single charge if you use your computer efficiently, by doing such things as adding RAM, defragging often, and not having many programs running at once.
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If you want to buy a specific laptop brand that does not provide battery usage up to your requirements, you can always order an additional battery. Most laptops make it easy to change batteries, and a laptop bag will usually have plenty of pockets for spares. It is always a good idea to have an additional battery on hand if you use your laptop a lot while travelling anyway, or if you frequently use the computer away in areas without power outlets. Prices for additional laptop batteries vary, but spending around the $100 mark should assure you of a decent purchase.
