Important question to notebook users

Hi, i'm a first time notebook user and I received my laptop yesterday. As soon as I received it I was happy to start using it right away and it had abour 42% battery life. I just played around with it a few minutes and then I was off to work when one of my co workers told me that you should charge it for at least several hours the first time because the battery now may never charge past a certain point since i turned it on about 42%. I told him I Never heard of that and I was wondering if you guys know if this is true or if its a myth.

 

Never heard of that either however I researched some general battery tips for you:

Battery Care
1. To prolong battery life, please either remove the battery when it has been depleted or promptly recharge the battery if possible.

2. If the battery will not be used for a month or longer, it is recommended that the battery be removed from the laptop and stored in a cool, dry, clean place.

3. Do not short-circuit. A short-circuit may cause severe damage to the battery.

4. Do not drop, hit or otherwise abuse the battery as this may result in the exposure of the cell contents, which are corrosive.

5. Do not expose the battery to moisture or rain.

6. Exercise Your Battery - Do not leave your battery dormant for long periods of time. We recommend using the battery at least once every two to three weeks. If a battery has not been used for a long period of time, perform the new battery break in procedure described above.

7. Battery charging is more efficient at cooler temperatures. The optimal ambient temperature during charge is 50°F (10°C) to 86°F (30°C). If the ambient temperature rises above 95°F (35°C) the charge efficiency may be significantly reduced, and therefore result in a lower charged battery capacity.

8. If a charger is being used, always remember to disconnect the battery from the charger after the specified charge time (approximately 14 hours on a fully discharged battery). Failure to do this may result in a reduction of battery life. 9. It is recommended that a battery, which is warm to the touch after charging or discharging, be allowed to cool before use. This will prolong battery life.

10. Always charge a battery in a well-ventilated area.

11. Always fully charge your battery before its first use. Batteries are shipped partially charged and must be fully charged to achieve the proper runtime.

12. New batteries require 5 to 10 charge and discharge cycles before they reach full capacity. Until this ‘burn-in’ period is complete, run times may be less than expected.

 

Also found one more:

How can I maximize battery performance?
Breaking In New Batteries
New batteries come in a discharged condition and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended that you fully charge and discharge your new battery two to four times to allow it to reach its maximum rated capacity.