Optimal Battery Life

Recently purchased a MPCT2200 notebook and it's due to arrive anyday now. What is the best way to preserve the optimal life of the battery. I've heard that if it comes fully charged to then discharge it and charge it back up. Is this true [?] Otherwise, if it doesn't come fully charged, what is the procedure in making sure I get the most juice out of it in the future.


Oh yeah, my specs:
1.6 Centrino
512 Ram
60g hd
15" screen



Damian

 

ahh, batteries. Always so many questions about them, so few answers, and many myths.

What you hear about discharging and charging back up would have been good advice over 5 years ago before Lithium Ion batteries were the standard, but now that's just useless to do. Lithium Ion batteries are designed for eratic usage, so just don't worry about it. In general a Li-Ion battery will last you about 2 years (300 - 500 charges) before it only holds about 50% of its original capacity and it will lose its capacity over time even it if is not used.

Here's a fantastic article covering everything you would want to know about the Lithium Ion battery any notebook comes with these days:

http://www.buchmann.ca/Article5-Page1.asp

 

Thanks for the input Brian. Very helpful. Now I really can't wait for it to arrive! [ ]

Damian