How run notebook-pluged in or battery?

As a first-time notebook owner I have a basic question about how to use a notebook at home or wherever else plug in power is available. I've searched the forum and a few threads just touch on this subject. At home I have been running mainly on the battery until the computer alerts me to charge the battery. I then plug it into a socket and continue. The next time I use the computer I repeat the cycle. I see in some of the threads that these batteries have a finite number of times they can be charged, and they have a built-in cut off to prevent overcharging when plugged in. With the latter in mind, would it be better if I use the notebook plugged in most of the time instead of constantly running the battery down and recharging? If it's pertinent, my notebook has a 9 cell Li ion. Thanks for any enlightenment.

 

If you need to run your notebook on battery power go ahead and do it. The only thing it will do is wear down the battery. After a couple of years of use your battery will need to be replaced. I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you have the option of having your notebook run on AC use it. It will save your battery for times when there is no electrical source.
Hope this help,
Tim

 

The battery in your notebook is a lithium ion or lithium polymer battery. These kinds of batteries actually last longer when you don't fully discharge them, so it would be better to run on AC rather than running your battery down. Fully discharging decreases the battery's capacity. Just be sure to keep your notebook cool.

 

If you're near a power outlet, it's probably a better idea to run the laptop plugged in. Lithium-ion batteries actually don't like being fully discharged on a regular basis, and leaving it plugged in most of the time is okay as long as you use the battery occasionally.

The basic rule is, if it's not too much trouble to do so, run on AC power whenever it's convenient.

 

Wow! What a forum! Three great answers in a matter of minutes. Thanks much.

 

Your welcome and welcome to NBR. I also have the habit of running my battery down. I am trying to break that habit though.
Tim

 

Hahaha, great responses, you guys beat me to it. I learned a little something too.

Welcome to the site~! Hope you stick around and contribute to the site as well when you steadily become a notebook guru.

 

I used my old laptop quite a bit, on batteries I ran it down to the charge warning at least 5 times a week, and ran it for at least 4 hours (after being charged) on AC everyday. After two years there was maybe a 20 minute decrease in battery life. Use your batter all you want, don't worry about hurting it. Think of it this way - if you drive your car, the engine will eventually wear out - but you still drive, don't you?

 

I have a v2000z with the 12-cell battery and I've noticed that it gets considerably hotter when I run it on AC as opposed to on the battery. Could this affect the ware over time?

 

Yeah, welcome to NBR, it's a great forum with people who'll answer your questions very well generally within a matter of minutes.

As for the v2000z with the 12-cell getting hotter on ac, it could, any overheating does put more wear and tear on the machine over the long term, but it probably isn't too bad, be sure to cleam out your vents with compressed air and such.

 

WOW that was fast! I literally posted that a couple of minutes before the next reply. Also thanks for the advice this site is very helpful especially for a newbie like me.

 

No problem, I hope it helps.