Charging Laptop battery

[phorsenuf]

Does it make a difference in charging if the machine is off or if in use? My battery hardly holds a charge but I don't usually shut it off at night, just hibernate.

Probably a stupid question but my battery life sucks!

 

[Micca]

I believe it does make a difference if you are charging it while using it. Makes sense that it would take longer to get fully charged. My laptop battery *might* last two hours if it had to. I'm sure this is something that will be improved so we all have to buy expensive new rechargable batteries at some point.

 

[Plantlady]

I read, if you use your laptop, and leave it plugged in while you're using it, that will slowly drain the life out of your battery. The reason being, that it is slowly using bits of energy. This sporadic use of energy wears out the battery.

It is best to use your laptop as a laptop, not a desktop. I.e. unplug it, and use the battery. Then, when it's drained, recharge it.

Also, laptop batteries do have a life expectancy. They won't last forever, no matter how careful you are with them. It's 1 or 2 years, according to the guy at Best Buy that was trying to sell me a warranty that included new batteries.

 

[phorsenuf]

Its the same battery from when I bought this so maybe its petering out. I saw a battery at CC yesterday for $99. and I have a $15. off $100 coupon (I'll buy a pack of gum too. ) So that seems like a good deal.

I'm flying to Orlando on Wednesday and it wold be nice to use my laptop for more than 45 minutes. LOL Actually I'm going to time what the life really is. If I turn off all the programs running in the background does that help?