The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Do you keep your M17x plugged in 24/7?

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by youngkyu, Sep 27, 2009.

  1. youngkyu

    youngkyu Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    For those who don't travel that much and keep their M17x at home most of the time:

    Do you keep your laptop plugged in to the AC Adapter all the time? If not, when do you unplug it and such?

    Because I keep mine plugged in 24/7 even when it is shut down and I'm wondering if that will make the battery go bad even faster. The AC Adapter is getting really hot too, and I'm wondering if that's bad. (The M17x has a ridiculous cooling system though...)
     
  2. sleey0

    sleey0 R.I.P. AW Side Topics

    Reputations:
    1,870
    Messages:
    7,976
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    It doesn't matter, but I don't keep my plugged in 24/7.

    Once the battery is full, the ac will not keep charging it. Batteries are a lot smarter these days so it doesn't make a difference.
     
  3. Snowm0bile

    Snowm0bile Starcraftologist

    Reputations:
    265
    Messages:
    1,142
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    thats why its better to keep it on the charger all the time?

    you could always take ur battery out, if u leave the ac plugged in all the time
     
  4. lordqarlyn

    lordqarlyn Global Biz Consultant

    Reputations:
    73
    Messages:
    1,056
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I travel a lot, and I take my M17x with me everyday, so its not plugged all the time....it is plugged at night though....
     
  5. Shrouded

    Shrouded Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Only time mine is plugged in is when I have it on other wise its unplugged.
     
  6. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

    Reputations:
    3,973
    Messages:
    13,930
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    I only plug it in when it tells me to
     
  7. wizzkid1992

    wizzkid1992 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    as previously said most batteries carry a function to stop overcharging not as a way to prevent the decay of charge capacity, its only there to stop possible hazards caused by a battery bursting into flames-etc, most AC adapters have limiters that come into action when the battery is full or close to it.
     
  8. menengroth

    menengroth Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i have it plugged in pretty much 24/7
     
  9. Kerberus

    Kerberus Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The only time I unplug it is if Im going some where and it has to come with me
     
  10. Trelawney

    Trelawney Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    No Eco-Warriors declaring "unplug if you don't use!"?? lol /grin
    I unplug though, just in unlikely case of spark/fire, and (more probably) because I'd trip on the trailing wires away from the desk.
    Wonder if unplugging improves MTBF by 0.0000001% /wink
     
  11. -l-Z3K3-l-

    -l-Z3K3-l- Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    158
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    When i'm not using it i always turn the adapter off. Always. Eco friendly eh! hahahhaa
     
  12. HyperionX

    HyperionX Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    171
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I unplug to save on my electricity bill at night, but all that means is that I'm flicking the on/off switch at the mains.
     
  13. TRICH911

    TRICH911 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    169
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Mine is plugged in all the time (home/office) except my short commute to and from work.
     
  14. tonytoff

    tonytoff Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    39
    Messages:
    720
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Oh so there is no need to longer drain the battery anymore every now and again?
    I have mine plugged in all the time but let it drain once a fortnight. I suspect from what Sleeyo said its no longer necessary with modern batteries. Im just still a little paranoid about killing the battery from over-charging as this used to be a very common problem with laptops and mobile phones....old habits die hard I guess.
     
  15. the3vilGenius

    the3vilGenius 3vil knows no fear

    Reputations:
    1,203
    Messages:
    922
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    It is always better to drain the battery once in a while. but monthly or every 2 weeks is more then enough. let it cool down unplug the cable if necesarry.
     
  16. coldcase

    coldcase Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    39
    Messages:
    216
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    plugged almost all the time. Only time it's not plugged is when I can't find a AC outlet! :p
     
  17. Axman

    Axman Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    128
    Messages:
    510
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Always plugged in, but the power goes out here often (I'm deployed to Iraq) so i need battery life when im doing stuff.
     
  18. Jubal

    Jubal Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    89
    Messages:
    185
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thanks for going to work every day, Axman!

    I leave mine plugged in all the time, but I turn the power strip off when it's not in use.
     
  19. Trelawney

    Trelawney Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Talking of AC Power, does anyone know the cost (pref for UK) for a spare M17x Power Supply? Wondering if this would make a good backup investment..

    Ta

    Trelawney
     
  20. Marvie100

    Marvie100 On a Mission

    Reputations:
    394
    Messages:
    1,221
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Axman bought like 3 of them (from the US though I think)....PM him he posted two above yours.