Notebook batteries: remove or not?

JDtech · 07-04-2010, 06:15 PM

I've read that to maximize the useful life of a notebook battery, one should remove it from the machine when it's not being used. I just can't see this as practical, though.

Does anyone follow this advice?

Ken-L · 07-04-2010, 07:39 PM

I don't remove mine either, and I have no excuse!

jcjacob · 07-04-2010, 09:44 PM

I've never removed the battery from my notebook. I don't know that I've ever used it where it wasn't in reach of an electrical outlet, so I haven't been overly concerned with it.

The 6-call battery that came with my notebook still lasts nearly 2 hours, same as it did new 3 years ago. If I wanted better performance, I'd replace with with the higher capacity 12-cell.

Sidebyte · 07-04-2010, 09:48 PM

That is basically true because if you have line voltage to the laptop constantly it will cook your batteries sooner than if you take them out. Inconvenient but even though the regulator is supposed to shut off line voltage when the battery is fully charged it will still trickle enough to destroy the battery, especially NiMH.

Jon Foster · 07-04-2010, 09:55 PM

I honestly don't think any of our customers have every removed their batteries. And they probably wouldn't if we told them too.

Jon.

Sidebyte · 07-04-2010, 10:07 PM

Jon,
You will sell more batteries that way. The newer Li-ion batteries are much more forgiving but will still deteriorate over time.

Jon Foster · 07-05-2010, 08:38 AM

But with the prices as high as they are most people won't buy them. Or they will just buy a new notebook/laptop/netbook. In some cases the price of a new battery is close to 50% of the price for a new computer.

Jon.

jcjacob · 07-05-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidebyte

That is basically true because if you have line voltage to the laptop constantly it will cook your batteries sooner than if you take them out.

So, then would it help to disconnect and power source from the laptop when not in use rather than remove the battery?

Sidebyte · 07-05-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Foster

But with the prices as high as they are most people won't buy them. Or they will just buy a new notebook/laptop/netbook. In some cases the price of a new battery is close to 50% of the price for a new computer.

Jon.

Quit true! This is probably the weakest technology in regards to laptops today, they really need a much longer life battery system. Something is out of perspective with current battery systems because some devices from China especially cost less for the entire apparatus than the price of a battery. For instance my electric razor battery is always charged, is now 2 years old and cost less for the razor including the battery for less than a battery alone costs here.

Jon Foster · 07-05-2010, 10:55 PM

We have several items exactly like that. In the past I would get overly upset with those scenarios but now I guess I've given in and just replace perfectly good devices because it's cheaper and easier to buy a brand new product.

Jon.

07-04-2010, 06:15 PM	#1
JDtech Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 308 Blog Entries: 1	Notebook batteries: remove or not? I've read that to maximize the useful life of a notebook battery, one should remove it from the machine when it's not being used. I just can't see this as practical, though. Does anyone follow this advice? __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on Tech Today Online, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more. __________________ Follow me on Twitter \| My Tech Blog

07-04-2010, 07:39 PM	#2
Ken-L Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 150	I don't remove mine either, and I have no excuse! __________________ "An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way." - Bukowski

07-04-2010, 09:44 PM	#3
jcjacob Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Doylestown, PA Posts: 159	I've never removed the battery from my notebook. I don't know that I've ever used it where it wasn't in reach of an electrical outlet, so I haven't been overly concerned with it. The 6-call battery that came with my notebook still lasts nearly 2 hours, same as it did new 3 years ago. If I wanted better performance, I'd replace with with the higher capacity 12-cell. __________________ -John

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07-04-2010, 09:48 PM	#4
Sidebyte Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Medellin, Colombia Posts: 62	That is basically true because if you have line voltage to the laptop constantly it will cook your batteries sooner than if you take them out. Inconvenient but even though the regulator is supposed to shut off line voltage when the battery is fully charged it will still trickle enough to destroy the battery, especially NiMH.

07-04-2010, 09:55 PM	#5
Jon Foster Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: White Lake, MI Posts: 149	I honestly don't think any of our customers have every removed their batteries. And they probably wouldn't if we told them too. Jon.

07-04-2010, 10:07 PM	#6
Sidebyte Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Medellin, Colombia Posts: 62	Jon, You will sell more batteries that way. The newer Li-ion batteries are much more forgiving but will still deteriorate over time.

07-05-2010, 08:38 AM	#7
Jon Foster Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: White Lake, MI Posts: 149	But with the prices as high as they are most people won't buy them. Or they will just buy a new notebook/laptop/netbook. In some cases the price of a new battery is close to 50% of the price for a new computer. Jon.

07-05-2010, 10:55 PM	#10
Jon Foster Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: White Lake, MI Posts: 149	We have several items exactly like that. In the past I would get overly upset with those scenarios but now I guess I've given in and just replace perfectly good devices because it's cheaper and easier to buy a brand new product. Jon.