Dell Latitude CPx Laptop

[bluestrobe]

I bought this off of a forum member awhile back (Great transaction BTW). I bought this laptop to use on trips I take every 4-5 months for internet and something to download pictures to while on vacation. In between times it sits in its bag although I get it out once a month to charge it up, update WinXp and McAfee, so forth.

My question is what would be the best treatment the laptop could get to preserve the battery or others things in it. I don't want to kill the battery as it was almost perfect when I got the laptop but I don't want to over use it inadvertently. I thought about using the laptop for DC but its only a 650mhz P3M so it wouldn't be worth it in the long run.

 

[MDE]

Just leave it off. If it's off it can't use power 🙂. Or just install Folding@Home on it and let it run 24\7.

 

[xsilver]

http://www.laptoplogic.com/resources/guides/9/1/1/

according to this -- they say store the laptop at 50% battery if the laptop is not in constant use
the battery will eventually die out, even if you dont use it

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Batteries are chemical based and have a limited shelf life (generally 3 - 4 years max). Nothing will prevent this chemical breakdown.

What will SLOW IT DOWN is to keep the battery cool. Photographers already know this trick: they keep alkaline batteries in the refridgerator (fridge not freezer!) and they last a LONG time.

You may not want to put your laptop battery in the fridge as you also have to worry about moiture and coorosion, although if you seal it in an airtight ziplock with one of those packets of desicant it would probably be okay.

You wan to at least keep the battery in a cool place. Certainly not in the attic or the garage during the summer.