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    Is it bad to keep the laptop plugged in??

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by CleaningService, Jul 4, 2011.

  1. CleaningService

    CleaningService Notebook Consultant

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    I've been using the R3 at my desk often and plugged. Is it bad for the computer/battery??

    If so, is there a way to disable the battery like in the R2? fn+f2 doesn't seem to work.
     
    CleaningService, Jul 4, 2011
    #1
  2. Simplified

    Simplified The Most Awesome

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    I have my R2 plugged in 24/7 although it is turned off 90% of the time. I do not think that this is bad, as I have not noticed any wear on the computer and the battery
     
    Simplified, Jul 4, 2011
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  3. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    it shouldn't matter. in the old laptops, i know that they didn't have a charge cut off point, and it would continuous charge and discharge the batttery (this is on the old nickel cadmium/niMH battery powered laptops)

    On modern laptops though, windows has this power scheme that auto regulates this things via threshold. If the threshold is say 95% charged battery, then the system will use only AC power. if its below 95%, it will charge the battery an then switch to ac only. but when it is charged or within the threshold, teh system runs off ac power, and does not deal with the battery, leaving it untouched without excess cycles.
     
    Raidriar, Jul 4, 2011
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  4. shadowdude777

    shadowdude777 Notebook Geek

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    All lithium batteries have overcharging protection circuitry that cuts off current once the battery is fully charged.
     
    shadowdude777, Jul 4, 2011
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  5. Litoid

    Litoid Notebook Guru

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    can you confirm this data on the R3?
    because im afraid to damage my battery leaving it plugged all day...
     
    Litoid, Jul 4, 2011
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  6. z3mcneil

    z3mcneil Notebook Enthusiast

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    Like what technos said, there shouldn't be any problem. Plus you're not recommended to use performance setting when on battery (heck you can only switch to it via command center when on battery) so what's the point of having a powerful (desktop replacement) laptop and then run it on power saving :)
     
    z3mcneil, Jul 4, 2011
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  7. Beradon

    Beradon Notebook Evangelist

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    Beradon, Jul 4, 2011
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  8. Litoid

    Litoid Notebook Guru

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    not using battery sometimes can suck, because i tend to accidentaly unplug the power cable.. resulting in instant power off :p bad idea. ill leave it plugged.
     
    Litoid, Jul 5, 2011
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  9. Jas71

    Jas71 Notebook Evangelist

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    My battery came with 0.9% wear about 2.5 months ago and I have had it plugged in almost 24/7 and it is still at 0.9% now.
     
    Jas71, Jul 5, 2011
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  10. paradigm

    paradigm Notebook Deity

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    or like what i do...remove the battery and keep it the lappie plugged in...
     
    paradigm, Jul 5, 2011
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  11. GetFound

    GetFound Notebook Evangelist

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    If you ever have to place a warranty call for the battery you had better tell them that you occasionally drain and recharge the battery. The is a battery guide somewhere in the box that explains you have to cycle the charge. You are supposed to discharge and recharge at least monthly or maybe even bi-weekly.
     
    GetFound, Jul 7, 2011
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  12. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

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    I have mine plugged in nearly constantly, I have two batteries that I discharge about 1-3 times a week each but they're plugged in other than that and I have absolutely no wear on either battery after about 3-4 months. As long as you use them ocasionally down to dead then fully charge again you should be just fine unless you got a bad battery.
     
    DaneGRClose, Jul 7, 2011
    #12