Laptop batteries: why so much trouble?

[johnniet]

In general I've had bad luck with laptop batteries. I had an IBM a few years ago whose battery really never worked. More recently I had a Mac who battery gave me trouble (and even the replacement battery I got a few months ago has started having problems).
Who else has had batteries refuse to charge or burn out too quickly?
Are there any models whose batteries usually work?
I'm especially interested in IBMs and Fujitsu Lifebooks.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Are you using the laptop constantly? Rechargeable batteries are only supposed to last a few hundred cycles -- you can wear one out in a few months with constant use. That's what I did when I was using a laptop, because it was my main computer and I used it all day and half the night. You just have to buy new ones....

 

[ayoungman]

but if you're using it constantly (keeping it on all the time plugged in) isnt it just running off AC power and not using the batteries?

 

[Cougar Allen]

No, actually if you're keeping it plugged in constantly you'll wear it out prematurely. Keeping a battery at constant full charge is about the worst thing you can do to it, short of setting it on fire or pounding it with a hammer. I knew better than that; I cycled mine, but even so they wear out after a few hundred cycles.

 

[Ken C.]

I have a Dell and I have used it plugged in and on batteries for over a year and I haven't had any problems with the battery dying on me. When the unit is on battery only an icon shows up in the right-hand corner telling you when you will need to charge it. While it is charging a light on the front of the laptop glows green and then shuts off when the battery is charged and you are running from the outlet. It doesn't continue to charge the battery.

 

[Binford]

I take the battery out of IBM when I leave it plugged. It stays plugged in all day at work, and then if I take it with me, I throw the battery in and then just pop it back out when I get back to work. It's held up well for at least a year and a half so far.

 

[jaykayenn]

Overcharging your batteries is an old problem. Most, if not all laptops as of a couple years ago will automatically stop charging when it reaches 100% (like Dell). Also, they use the new Li-Ion/Polymer batteries which actually SHOULD be kept at or near 100% as much as possible. NEVER completely discharge a Li-Ion battery.

In any case, your laptop should come with documentation that describes the proper care and type of batteries it uses. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.

 

[cockroachfarm]

.....While it is charging a light on the front of the laptop glows green and then shuts off when the battery is charged and you are running from the outlet. It doesn't continue to charge the battery.

That's what I thought too. My Power Management screen states: Battery: Charged, 100%. Laptop powered by: AC

I've had my HP laptop plugged in constantly for the past 3 years. No problems.