Using laptop without battery

[Holly_Hobby]

I bought my first laptop about 12 years ago. The battery stopped charging after about a year and a half. So on my next laptop and every other laptop since, I've kept the battery in a drawer and only used the charger for power, unless there was a power outage in my area. Only in that case would I use the battery. I'm sure to check it once a month to be sure it's keeping a charge.

What's your opinion on doing this? Is it harmful? Thanks.

[enough]

1. I can't think of any reason why this would be harmful to the computer.

Interested to see what more expert DUers have to say about this.

[Holly_Hobby]

3. This particular laptop is 8 years old

It's a Lenovo T510. I've used the battery in it exactly twice, during power outages. This laptop is like the Energizer Bunny, extremely reliable and not a bit of trouble with it.

Today, a relative told me that I'm going to fry it if I continue to do it.

I didn't think so

Thanks

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. should be fine n/t

[Holly_Hobby]

4. Thanks for the reply.

I should know better than to listen to relatives

[BlueJazz]

5. I've been fixing computers and such for years. Never had one that was damaged...

...because of non-battery use.
Actually, might extend the life of laptop...not having to charge cells (Heat and such)
I say "might" but certainly won't hurt anything.

[Holly_Hobby]

6. Thanks for the reply n/t

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

10. BlueJazz makes an excellent point

Actually, BlueJazz makes two excellent points.

1. If the battery is not installed, the laptop is likely to run cooler internally. This will generally have a positive effect on a mechanical HDD. SSDs won't see a difference. This will also likely put less thermal stress on other components and makes most things last longer. This will also indirectly make the fan run slower and/or less often which will blow less dust inside which is always better.

2. Lithium-Ion batteries have a limited (but not small) number of times that they can be recharged. After a while, they tend to run down much faster and take longer to recharge. Using and recharging the battery less will lengthen its life.

Well done BlueJazz!

[ChromeFoundry]

7. Li-Ion batteries have a fixed number of charge/drain cycles

that cause the battery to weaken over time. A Li-Ion battery should be able to keep 100% of its capacity for the first 500 full discharge cycles. 50% by 1500 cycles. 25% by 2500 cycles. 10% by 4700 cycles.

Other factors can play a role in how long your Li-Ion battery will last. Number of cells in the battery pack (more the better...usually 12). Temperature is a very important factor. The cooler the battery is kept, while in storage or in use, the longer it will last. If you can, keep the battery below 86°F (59°F is considered ideal).

All batteries have internal resistance, allowing the charge to relax while in storage. If you are storing your battery in a drawer for very long periods (more than 4 months), 40% charge is considered the optimal theoretical sweet-spot where internal resistance and capacitance allow for the longest shelf-life. Unfortunately, that does not lend to the best performance during a power outage, or your mobile use window.

If you never unplug you laptop, you will get longer life out of the battery by just leaving it seated in the laptop and fully charged. The charging circuity will not allow the battery to overcharge. Turn your laptop off or hibernate when not in use to reduce the temperature the battery pack is exposed to.

BTW, there is no problem in running you laptop without a battery, unless you lose AC power to the laptop.

[ManiacJoe]

8. Are you sure you are not thinking about NiCad batteries?

[ChromeFoundry]

9. Positive. NiCad batteries have "memory"

and do need to be fully discharged to allow them to be fully recharged again.

LiIon batteries will never charge if they go below about 2.3 Volts. These batteries have a safety circuit that will make them appear dead once they go below 2.5 volts.

The characteristics of a LiIon battery will not improve its life expectancy by having two batteries (2x 6-Cell packs). You are better off getting one high-capacity (1x 12-Cell pack). It will be cheaper and provide the same life. Unless, of course, you keep the spare in the refrigerator at a 70% charge.

[Holly_Hobby]

11. I do charge the battery once a month,

to be sure it will work in a power outage. I've been doing it that way for 8 years. It's around 3/4 charged when I plug it in after sitting for a month. It fully charges after a half an hour or so.

I got tired of using my batteries, only to have them die in a year and a half or so. So when I bought this laptop, I decided just to keep it plugged into the wall and save the battery for when I need it.

But then my brother in law read me the riot act yesterday when he found out I was doing it. He's the know it all type that really doesn't. Thanks

[lululu]

12. if there's a power failure

Does the battery help prevent any damage by making a graceful transition instead of an immediate full stop?

[Holly_Hobby]

13. I don't know,

all I can tell you is my dogs have unplugged me many, many times, and the 12 y.o. laptop still works - I don't go online with it anymore though. The laptop I bought 8 years ago also has been unplugged many times and that's the one I use continually. I do have a new one, but don't use it much because it doesn't have all the bells and whistles that the 8 year old does.

When I turn it back on after being unplugged, it does a disk check, never found any issues. It's a Lenovo T510. I bought it as an open box on Ebay 8 years ago for 1/2 the retail cost. One of the best purchases I ever made.

[lululu]

14. ebay and Lenovo

Ebay is where I've bought laptops for years. And I can't get over how much more reliable Lenovos are than the HPs I used to use.

[Holly_Hobby]

15. Before Lenovo, I had 2 military-spec laptops,

they were encased completely in metal, had floating hard drives, blah, blah, blah. They only lasted about a year and a half. So I went to Lenovo from Ebay and I'm very happy.

I even stopped buying HP printers. The last one, $110, only lasted a year and a half, and I seldom print. I have a Canon now and I'm happy with it. We'll see how long it lasts.

[lululu]

16. HP all-in-ones

I will say that I have HP Photosmart 3210 All-in-Ones and they have lasted for years. I print and scan all the time.

[Holly_Hobby]

17. The HP printers made in the last 3 years or so are junk,

at least Amazon is full of reviews that say they just stop working.

Happy you got a good one...

[lululu]

18. newer ones junk

Yes, I have that impression from the web also. I am not really sure how old mine are, but years and years.