PDA

View Full Version : New laptop : Battery wear level?


kj1234
Jan 31st, 2009, 08:47 PM
Hi there,

I just checked the battery of my 2 weeks old Dell Studio laptop and the 2 tools I used (StatBatt and NHC) report wear level at 10% ... is that too high? I called technical support and obviously they said there is no need to replace the battery! What do you guys think?

KJ

trixstar
Jan 31st, 2009, 08:52 PM
Hi there,

I just checked the battery of my 2 weeks old Dell Studio laptop and the 2 tools I used (StatBatt and NHC) report wear level at 10% ... is that too high? I called technical support and obviously they said there is no need to replace the battery! What do you guys think?

KJ

during your 2 weeks of use, how many times have you discharged and recharged the battery? Also, do you leave the battery in the laptop when you're using the AC adapter?

kj1234
Jan 31st, 2009, 08:59 PM
during your 2 weeks of use, how many times have you discharged and recharged the battery? Also, do you leave the battery in the laptop when you're using the AC adapter?

May be a dozen of times. I make sure not to completely drain the battery (around 20%) and I usually use the battery, I use the AC adapter only when the battery needs to be recharged.

nx6288
Jan 31st, 2009, 09:19 PM
2 weeks...and already 10% are those programs measuring it correctly?

kj1234
Jan 31st, 2009, 10:28 PM
2 weeks...and already 10% are those programs measuring it correctly?

My understanding is that they report the values provided by the ACPI. So either the values are wrong (Dell bios has no battery calibration utility so no way to force it to correct the actual charge capacity of the battery) or the battery is really wearing off quickly... Makes sense? In any case, should I go through the trouble of requesting a replacement?

tragd
Jan 31st, 2009, 10:30 PM
just a question..

should one take off battery when at home/using adapter?


and to op: do you really need to use battery at home? i would say keep it plugged in instead of drain-charge-drain-charge because i assume its sitting in a single spot.

trixstar
Jan 31st, 2009, 10:36 PM
just a question..

should one take off battery when at home/using adapter?


and to op: do you really need to use battery at home? i would say keep it plugged in instead of drain-charge-drain-charge because i assume its sitting in a single spot.

yes, you should never use your battery when you are running on the AC power, it will wear out your battery. Only use your battery when you really have to. My sister left her battery in her HP laptop and it lasted only 6 months with about 20 charges.. also keep your battery in a nice cool place like in your fridge (not freezer)

trixstar
Jan 31st, 2009, 10:38 PM
May be a dozen of times. I make sure not to completely drain the battery (around 20%) and I usually use the battery, I use the AC adapter only when the battery needs to be recharged.

you should only use the battery when you need to. If you are at home, it's best to remove the battery and use your AC adaptor. If you are using your battery at home and charging it when it's out, then yeah, you'll be killing the battery in no time..

user01
Jan 31st, 2009, 11:54 PM
I know for a fact that my laptop will loses roughly ~20% and under for each year since battery has been the worse in technology... :|:|:|