Question about charging laptops...

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zsingr

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#17597 3-Dec-2007 18:01

Hey all

I have just bought a new compaq presario laptop and I am wondering how long I should leave it to charge for before I install programmes on to it?

Would really appreciate your help - sorry about the simple question - but I just don't know

Cheers

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79288 posts

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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#98068 3-Dec-2007 18:33

Most batteries come with a charge and you should be ok to start using it (plugged in to the mains) straight away.

n00dy

482 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#98071 3-Dec-2007 18:38

Personally I charge my battiers till the laptop while turned off until such time as the battery light goes green ( full charge ) then add programs while it remains on charge. I dont think it make any diffenence when you install programs however with regards to charging, once the device is plugged into the mains power it should not be disconnected until the battery has completed the charge cycle, running the laptop while charging does nothing apart from taking longer to fully charge. Also some latops have a battery calibrate option in the bios which basically fully discharges the battery before full charge.Modern NiMi and Lithium Ion Batterys dont have memory and dont require full discharge before recharge

mckenndk

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#98842 8-Dec-2007 01:21

I don't believe that there is a problem with using the laptop while the battery is charging as long as the power remains pluged in while using it.

I will use my laptop while it is charging but if I am going to be using it for ages (longer than the battery can support) and have it pluged into the mains I will take the battery out after it is charged and just use the AC power.
From what I am told it is not good for the battery life to use the laptop while it is pluged into the mains constantly.

Might be different for more modern batterys.

Dion

Panq

42 posts

Geek

#98859 8-Dec-2007 09:59

mckenndk: I don't believe that there is a problem with using the laptop while the battery is charging as long as the power remains pluged in while using it.

I will use my laptop while it is charging but if I am going to be using it for ages (longer than the battery can support) and have it pluged into the mains I will take the battery out after it is charged and just use the AC power.
From what I am told it is not good for the battery life to use the laptop while it is pluged into the mains constantly.

Might be different for more modern batterys.

Dion

Well, for long-term storage, lithium-ion batteries (such as those found in modern laptops) should be stored at 40-60% at around zero degrees (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery). So if you're not going to use your battery for a very long time (at least a couple weeks), you could discharge it to around 50% and chuck it in the fridge. I hardly ever use my battery now, but I still leave it in there. It's just convenient whenever I want to move.