All you Need to Know About Laptop Batteries

All you Need to Know About Laptop Batteries

Laptop batteries allow you to work on your computer even while you're on the go. Whenever you need to access information from your computer, a battery will grant you the ability to be efficient in whatever you do. However, a battery can only do so much. A lot of people find that their battery lives shorten as time goes by eventually causing their notebooks to run slower than usual.

While a laptop battery's deterioration is inevitable, there are many ways by which you can help prolong the life of your battery. Understanding how it works and what can make your battery "age" faster is one of them. The technicalities surrounding a laptop battery do not really take rocket science smarts to understand.

Lithium ion

If you have a later model laptop, you'll probably find your battery is a Lithium ion or LiON. This is a type of battery that is common to newer notebooks because it's relatively lighter than its predecessors. It's also much more efficient and production costs are minimal which is why manufacturers have managed to introduce this to the market.

For those who are searching for a replacement battery, you're better off with LiON. Not only is it more environment-friendly, it is also has a longer runtime.

Memory effect

You may encounter this term on older types of laptop batteries such as the nickel cadmium and nickel metal hybrid. The memory effect basically causes a battery to hold less charge. Lesser charge means lesser energy. For your laptop, that means lesser runtime. It usually happens when you tend to leave your battery plugged onto the charger long after it has been fully charged. Conversely, it also caused by undercharging and charging before the battery is fully drained.

Shallow cycling

Shallow cycling is when you charge your laptop battery without allowing it to reach full charge status. While there are instances when this cannot be avoided, it's always best to allow for ample time for your battery to charge up before disconnecting it from the charger. Shallow cycling leads to the rapid deterioration of your battery's ability to hold charges. It is one of the primary causes of memory effect which was discussed above.

Cycle life

Laptop batteries have a finite lifespan. Over time, their efficiency and storage capacity are diminished which can affect your unit's overall performance. Cycle life refers to the number of charge and discharge cycles before your battery starts to deteriorate. On the average, rechargeable batteries can go from 500 to 1200 cycles before their nominal capacity goes below 80% of its initial capacity.

The Secret to Battery Computer Notebook

The Secret to Battery Computer Notebook

Here are a few basics of what this broad subject has to offer up to any individual who wants to know more about it.

When most people think of battery computer notebook, what comes to psyche is regularly basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there's a lot more to battery computer notebook than just the basics.

The little notebook computer or processor is tailor made for business. It's the improve communication tool. It's the improve record care tool. It's the improve presentation tool. And if that wasn't enough, all of the above is neatly packaged into a small portable automaton that can be full anywhere and everywhere.

For any range business, small to method to jumbo, the notebook computer is steadily becoming an vital tool for business.

In the introduction, we saw how this subject can be beneficial to anyone. We will continue by explaining the basics of this topic.

Savvy commerce people know acquiring the right tools is an important feature in determining the triumph or profitability of any company. Therefore, along with the recurrent outfitting of your crowd or commerce - total consideration should be given to choosing your notebook computers.

Business owners should be awake that notebook technology is varying at a blistering pace. Every two living or so, there is a entire new generation of notebooks and notebook technology to consider. Notebooks are receiving smaller, faster, and better connected. They are also offering performance that is matching or almost matching their desktop rivals.

Major reasons why, for the first time in history, notebook computers are outselling their bigger cousins, desktop computers. topic buying, no doubt, drama a significant part in all those sales. Large corporate organizations are export notebooks for their companies, sales people and employees. It makes for a more competitive group in a very competitive world.

But how do you prize a good dealings notebook computer? What's the criteria for judging a good machine? What's the right mainframe or notebook for your circle or sales staff?

Here are some important factors any commerce should think when trade a notebook computer or processor for their company. broad factors that determine a good commerce notebook. think these...

Portability

Perhaps, the most significant feature and the focal reason you're trade a notebook computer is portability. You can take it anywhere. You can take your records, reports, presentations or food where ever they basic to be. For the commerce traveler or 'road warrior', the notebook computer is an central tool for their business.

When trade their notebook of choice, these 'road warriors' look at the portability of their notebook. mass and substance are very important. They want something that's light and small, yet pungent enough to do the job. They will maybe look in the Ultra-Portable and lean and Light classes of notebooks to make their choice.

Notebooks in those categories are regularly well under 5 pounds, around 10 by 14 inches in range and approximately an shuffle thick. Small enough to confuse in a suitcase or slip comfortably under your arm. They won't drain your energy even if you have to lug it around all day!

Battery Life

You also have to look for a notebook computer that will last long enough to get the job done. You want sufficient battery life for those long even trips. Fortunately, battery life is increasing, you can now get up to 5 or more hours on high trait notebooks. Buy the premier numbered cubicle battery, and buy any voluntary built-in battery extras that will improve battery life.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I'm reliable that with just a little more reading, all the truth will decrease into place.

Connectivity

You want something that's calm to unite to the Internet so connectivity is another important factor. Being in devoted contact with all your employees can be a determining part in your choice of notebooks. Communication is vital. Most high class notebooks come with Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) connections, many have a tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless system.

Some newer models, like the Sony's New Ultra-Portable VAIO VGN-T350P, are raising the bar, it has the world's first 'Built-in Cellular Modem'. You can use your sect call to join to the Internet. This may be a great advantage because finding a 'Hot Spot' in some parts of the world can still be difficult.

Performance

You requisite to judge the performance direct of your dealings computer. Can it sell all your company's demands, can it sell heavy graphics, charts, diagrams, spreadsheets, etc. restraint out the RAMâ€"senior RAM will be better for graphics and video. It's usually agreed that you requisite at slightest 256MB for Windows XP and Mac OS X. You will only requisite 128MB for other operating systems in Windows or Mac.

Most notebooks come with lots of storeroom space, 60-80 GIG hard drives are common. outside drives are also available if you basic extra space.

Other tasks may be important to your line of business. For example, if you basic to take notes in the field, i.e. genuine estate agents, engineers, doctors or checkup personnelâ€"then a schedule or a convertible capsule may be a better choice for your company.

Sturdiness

This is important if you want a notebook for a lot of highway work or trade traveling. Your notebook should be energetic or ruggerized to be able to take a good pounding. Many notebooks have some tale sturdiness skin such as IBM's Active Protection usage which is intended to picket the hard drive from falls and spills for those accident flat notebook users in your company.

Security

Living in today's world we basic safeguards and defense measures in place to shield your crowd records and files. Not to mention, to shield against the theft of your notebook computer itself. Along those same lines your notebook computer should have advanced defense features. Many notebooks such as the IBM/Sonoma ThinkPad series contain an integrated fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication that uses an Embedded safety Subsystem and Password Manager.

Image/Style

At first glance this may appear like a superficial exchange point, but not really. In today's problem world, likeness or fashion does consider and contribute to your button line. Sad but true! You want a notebook computer that matches the likeness of your company.

There is one to fit your needs, you have a full range of styles of notebooks to desire from, whether it be conservative black or glowing race car red. Most businesses are ultra-conservative (nature of the beast) and should prize a notebook along those conservative lines, other businesses may want to promote a sharper or cooler picture such as in fashion, creative arts, harmony industry...

Take time to think the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

What you have learned while reading this informative article, is knowledge that you can keep with you for a lifetime.

Lithium Batteries - Tips to Make Your Laptop Last Longer

Lithium Batteries - Tips to Make Your Laptop Last Longer

The basic makeup of each battery type is very similar. Each has a positive electrode (cathode), a negative electrode (anode), a separator and an electrolyte. However, the chemistry in each is different. The differences offer various levels of performance.

Much of our newest technologies demand much more power than its predecessors. The features and sophistication of the newer electronics have truly increased the power demanded from batteries. It is this power demand that motivated the industry to develop power sources to keep up.

A lithium is different from an alkaline.

Both the chemistry and construction of lithium and alkaline differ. It is the lithium design that helps this newer power source meet the high drains of many of today's devices.

These new and powerful batteries are used in various portable electronic devices, and are widely used as a mobile laptop computer power source.

Here are some tips to make your laptop power source last longer:

Heat Kills!

Heat truly decreases the life span of lithium batteries. You may notice that if you use your laptop as a replacement for a desktop, the battery capacity decreases greatly. Some measure the decrease at 60% to 80% of the original capacity after about a year.

If you use your laptop as a desktop, you should remove the battery while using the plug-in power source. And before storing your laptop battery, you may want to first check with the manufacture on the effects of moisture and dust in the casing.

Correct Storage

If you don't plan on using your lithium batteries for a while, you may want to put them in your refrigerator - not the freezer!

Ideally, you should store at a 40% charge level. At 100%, you may have unnecessary stress and internal corrosion. But if the charge is too low, the battery can eventually become unusable because it will self discharge.

Calibrating Helps

Most manufacturers agree that there is some benefit to completely discharging your lithium batteries periodically, especially for your laptop. If you completely drain the laptop cell, it will help to recalibrate which will allow for more accurate measure of the life span.

You should try this every 30 charges or when you notice readings are off.

Calibration does not extend the discharge time - it only resets it to show the remaining charge accurately.

Memory is not what it once was ...

When I got my first cell phone, I was told to let it completely die before recharging. This idea is that of memory. This process of completely discharging before recharging to the max, would supposedly give my phone the complete battery capacity.

If I recharged with 50% capacity already, the battery would assign the half way point as the empty point, and cut the capacity in half.

But this does not apply to lithium cells - only for nickel based. In truth, fully discharging your lithium battery often can be harmful to its battery's health, possibly making it completely unusable if levels go too low.

The modern lithium has a safety circuit to make sure it doesn't reach the point of no return. The safety circuit isn't guaranteed. If you leave it completely drained for a few days, the safety circuit probably won't save it.

LAPTOP BUYING GUIDE

Laptop Buying Guide

Forward - The purpose of this article is to provide you with unbiased information for your laptop/notebook computer buying decisions. We've tried to make this guide easy to read and informative, however it also includes detailed technical information for the more advanced reader.

This guide is divided into several different chapters which include: what to consider before purchasing a laptop or notebook computer, recommended laptop features, an explanation of laptop video memory and how it effects screen resolution, a notebook CPU speed index guide, details on the mobile CPUs that are in the speed index, hints on buying a laptop, and a list of other laptop/notebook computer resources.

The right menu bar contains a list of the different chapters that you can use to jump to the chapters you are most interested in.

What to Consider Before Purchasing a Laptop Computer

1. Portability - The main reason to have a laptop or notebook computer is portability - the need to take your entire computer from one place to another. If you don't need portability, then you should probably buy a desktop. Or if you really need portability but don't want the weight and size of a laptop, a well equipped cell phone/pda might be a good choice. Laptops come in all diferent weights, sizes, and speeds.

2. Expense - Laptop computers cost almost twice as much as comparably equipped desktops. Shocking isn't it?
You can actually buy two comparably equipped desktops for the price of one laptop. So if you have to have a computer in two separate places, you would be better off with two desktops (if they were reasonably close together you could hook them together in a wired or wireless local area network (LAN).

3. Speed - Laptops are 30-100% slower than a desktop with the same features (CPU, RAM, hard drive capacity, etc.). Slower CPUs, motherboards, hard drives, and video systems all contribute to the speed loss.

4. Upgradeability - Laptop computers are mostly non-upgradeable. Whatever CPU, video card (built into the motherboard), sound card (also built-in), and screen, that come with the laptop are the same parts the laptop will end with.
While it is possible to upgrade main memory, hard drives, and sometimes CPUs, these upgrades can be expensive.

You can also upgrade newer laptops through their USB, USB 2.0, and Firewire ports. Only USB 2.0 and Firewire ports can run high speed devices e.g. hard drives and DVD drives. While much improvement has been made in the speed and price of external drives, upgrading a laptop this way adds weight and decreases portability.
(However, it is a very good idea to back up all your important files to a CD, DVD, external hard drive, web storage etc. at least once a week. - ed)

5. Serious Gaming. You will need to spend at least $2,000 - $2,500 for a laptop that can play current games at a respectable speed. I don't recommend laptops for serious gaming no matter how much you are willing to spend. Why?

Because if you love to play games, about 1-1.5 years after you purchase your laptop you will find it isn't fast enough to keep up with the latest new game. At that time, you will regret buying a gaming laptop. However, if you have the money, and want to throw down $2500 every year or so, more power to you.

On the other hand, if your computer budget is limited, it's better to have a functional laptop, and spend your gaming dollars on an upgradeable desktop.

Recommended Notebook Features

Memory, Memory, and more Memory - Most lower-priced notebooks are sold with 512MB - 1GB of system memory (RAM). If you use your notebook for occasional typing and web browsing you could get by with of 512MB - 1GB RAM but you would probably be much happier with 2 GBs especially if you are using Windows Vista. Power users should try to get a notebook with at least 4 GB or more. It is very important that the memory is purchased when you buy the computer as many notebooks have only one or two memory expansion slots and you will wind up throwing away the old memory when you upgrade.

Batteries - Lithium batteries are superior to other kinds. The typical full size laptop will run between 1-2 hours on its battery. Some laptops can run between 6-8 hours on their batteries. If long battery life is important to you, enquire about battery life before you purchase your laptop.

Hard Drives - 20 GB minimum. Of course, larger is better.

CD-RW/DVD-RW - These drives are standard on almost all notebooks. Obviously the DVD drive is more desirable because it can hold more data and play DVD movies. DVD movie performance will depend on the speed and video performance of the laptop.

Wired and Wireless LAN - All new laptops should have a local area network (LAN) port for plugging into a wired network.
In addition all new notebooks should have wireless network capabilities. New wireless notebooks will be able to use the highest wireless speed available which is termed "wireless N". Some notebooks are still being made with the older wireless B/G capability.

Video Screens - The size, brightness, and clarity of a laptop screen is best shopped for in person. Usually the larger the screen, the heavier the laptop, and the more use of power.

Video Memory and Screen Resolution - The screen resolution of any notebook or desktop computer is a function of the graphics adapter, amount of Video RAM available, the size (pixel density) of the screen shown (e.g. 640x480), and the number of colors used. These screen features are loosely defined by the type of output the screen can produce e.g. VGA, SVGA, XGA, and SXGA as shown in the table on the next page.

Recommended Notebook Features - continued

Video Memory and Screen Resolution Table
Type of Output
Maximum Screen Size
Number of Colors
Video RAM Required
VGA 640x480 16 1 MB
SVGA 800x600 256 1 - 2 MB
XGA 1024x768 64K-16M 4 MB
SXGA 1280x1024 16M 8 MB
Super XGA+ 1400x1050 16M 8 MB
Ultra XGA 1600x1200 16M 8 MB

Laptops with no dedicated video memory. If your notebook lists the term "shared memory" in its specifications, it is likely that it contains no dedicated video memory. The video controller shares system RAM with the CPU, eliminating the requirement for dedicated Video RAM. For notebooks that use shared RAM, the video controller's capability is the limiting factor for screen resolution.

There are two drawbacks to shared RAM: The video controller accesses shared RAM slower than dedicated Video RAM, and the memory used by the video card reduces total system RAM available to software programs. For example, if your notebook with 1 GB of shared RAM is running a video program that uses 128 MB of RAM, your system RAM is reduced to less than 900 MB of RAM.

So what is good about shared RAM? Shared RAM allows manufacturers to cut cost, size, and heat generation by eliminating Video RAM. As a result, you will usually see shared RAM in lower cost laptops, notebooks, and desktops.
Hint: Avoid notebooks with shared RAM unless you are interested in low power consumption, extended battery life, or you are buying a low cost laptop.