| It might have already happened to you a few times when in an extremely crucial instant when you were working or expecting a vital e-mail, your laptop turned off, as its battery had discharged. In such cases the battery should be re-charged or replaced.
Laptop batteries come in 3 types - Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion (LiON). They vary in cost, weight and specifications. Yet, the charging procedures are identical. All brand new batteries are to be charged no less than 14-16 hours. If you are going to re-charge old ones, primarily let them cool off, because overcharging will greatly shorten their life. If buying NiMH laptop batteries, keep in mind they have the so-called "memory effect". Thus, if a NiMH battery is not discharged to the fullest, it will "think" that it has, for example 50 percent of its original power, and will use only this 50 percent, thus diminishing the amount of time during which your laptop function properly.
Laptop batteries are re-charged in different ways. The first method is when you use AC power. The so-called "trickle charge" automatically re-charges batteries as soon as a laptop is disconnected. A second option is by using an external battery charger. Batteries are inserted into a charger that is connected to the supply of electricity through an outlet.
Laptop batteries' life can also be lengthened if:
- you fully charge and discharge laptop batteries;
- you have only those programs on at a time which you really need. Downloading music to your iPod, surfing the Net, chatting on-line along with using other programs can make battery' life far shorter.
- you use batteries' energy reasonably;
- you defragment the hard drive regularly, as it helps spare space and, therefore, power;
- you adjust screen brightness;
- you make use of coolers (available on the market) for the laptop temperature to meet the established requirements;
- you make use of AC adapters whenever it is possible.
No doubt, it is essential to exploit a laptop as well as its various devices according to the manual to insure your laptop will help you longer. |
