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    Laptop power question

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by thrill5one6, Jan 22, 2009.

  1. thrill5one6

    thrill5one6 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Do you guys leave your laptop plugged in all day, even when you aren't using it or when it's off? Or do you turn it off and unplug it after use?
    I was wondering if leaving it plugged in for years and rarely using it unplugged would drain the battery. I know the guy from the cell phone store told me not to charge my phone over night, only charge it when it needs to be charged because it drains the battery.

    Also on a side note, do you leave your computer running all day, shut it down each time or put it on stand by or sleep?
     
    thrill5one6, Jan 22, 2009
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  2. ComputerMD82

    ComputerMD82 NX-74205

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    For my lappy I leave the battery in usually, I don't want to misplace it somewhere, but I hardly ever use it on battery power, haven't had any problems with it. I only plug it in when I'm using it though, otherwise I disconnect the power cable.


    My desktop is always on though, 24/7. Reboot every other day or so, or when required by updates.
     
    ComputerMD82, Jan 22, 2009
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  3. Zancs

    Zancs Notebook Enthusiast

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    afaik the batteries in laptops do not have memories, but this doesnt answer the question on whether it may reduce battery life. it definately shouldnt affect the charge levels.
     
    Zancs, Jan 22, 2009
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  4. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    I usually have my laptop plugged in, turned on during the day and plugged in, in standby at night. If you do not use your battery at all, it will lose it's charge over time, but your laptop will compensate by occasionally topping-off the battery. That being said, if you don't discharge your battery at all, it may deteriorate faster than if you cycled it periodically (but I don't remember exactly what the rules are). For long term storage, it's usually best to top-off the battery and freeze it in a plastic bag.
     
    Commander Wolf, Jan 22, 2009
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  5. bjcadstuff

    bjcadstuff Notebook Consultant

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    Most of my use is with the machine on our dining table, operating as a terminal into my workstation at work. I plug it in for that.
    Sometimes I use the machine around the house for internet browsing or whatever, always on battery power.
    When travelling I use the machine mostly around the hotel room, lobby or airport, always on battery power. If I'm in the hotel room and need to do more serious work, I set it up on a table and usually plug it in.
    This machine is a 5 year old Inspiron 8600 and still gets up to 3 hours on its original battery.
     
    bjcadstuff, Jan 23, 2009
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