How long to charge new laptop?

[computernewb]

hi. ill be receiving a new laptop within a week and was wondering how long i should initially charge it to maximize its life. Im reading conflicting claims regarding newer batteries. If anyone here knows anything about laptop batteries, any input would be greatly appreciated. By the way, its a Lithium-ion battery.

thanks!

 

[dingo07]

When it's 100%, there's no need to charge it further. Regardless of when/how much/how often you charge it, the only way to know it's lifespan is to know exactly how many cells it has and what the capacity of each cell is.

I've had my Dell XPS M1530 since 2007 and I just recently replaced the battery (a 85Wh) because it only held a charge for about 2 hours

Don't stress about it - it's not that important. They don't suffer from "memory effect" like older technology batteries did, so it doesn't matter when or for how long you charge it.

 

[nukemaster]

hi. ill be receiving a new laptop within a week and was wondering how long i should initially charge it to maximize its life. Im reading conflicting claims regarding newer batteries. If anyone here knows anything about laptop batteries, any input would be greatly appreciated. By the way, its a Lithium-ion battery.

thanks!

Li-ion(and new li-ploy) batteries like those in laptops do NOT have the memory effect of older battery chemistry and in fact can NOT be overcharged(because they would explode). They have a self controlling charger that will stop when the battery is full and charge it no more. Some companies say you should discharge them a few times a year as well if you use then very little.

Ni-MH have much less effect from being used before charged, but should be killed from time to time as well. This kind of battery can also be overcharged with high rate chargers. Most chargers now are smart enough to shut off either with a timer or control system.

Older batteries like Ni-Cad had to be fully charged to avoid the memory effect and it was best to discharge them rather low to maximize the lifetime. overcharging will damage this battery type, but it is only used in cheap cordless phones now days for the most part. This is why despite what the manual says, the batteries will work better over the long run if the phone is not ALWAYS on charge.

Short answer, charge it until the charging led goes out leaving it plugged in will do no harm either.

 

[computernewb]

alright thanks guys!

 

[neeshadubai]

Or can we put it in charge at the time of accessing when battery is already charged?

 

[nukemaster]

neeshadubai,

You can leave it on charge(plugged in) when the battery is already charged. It will not hurt it. This includes when you are using it. If you use it plugged in, it will just use the power adapter to run the laptop and not drain the battery.