Laptop battery question

[sparks]

I am planning to buy a laptop as a second computer, but still use it as a desktop replacement. It will be plugged in more often than not and be used at a desk. Will leaving the laptop constantly plugged in have any adverse affects on the battery on those occasions that I will be using the laptop as a laptop? What is the best way to manage the battery for such usage? Thanks.

 

[John]

Remove the battery when you have it connected to a/c power.

 

[InlineFive]

In addition more recent laptops and Lithium-Ion batteries have technology to not overcharge the battery when it won't accept anymore so I don't think that would have any adverse effects. The biggest thing that lowers battery life is constant charging/discharging.

-Por

 

[Matthias99]

Actually, what I've heard with Li-Ion cells is that leaving them unused and not charging for a long time will decrease their useful capacity. So if you're going to pull it out, discharge it completely first. You shouldn't have any problems leaving it plugged in all the time, though.

 

[corkyg]

Whether you leave it in or take it out when on A/C seems to make no difference in actual practice. What shoujld be done is to fully charge the Li-ion battery once every couple of months and run the system's "gas gauge" or calibration program. That will keep it healthy and let you know the actual capacity during the rundown.

In any case, if used, the nominal life of a bettery today is about 3-4 years.