Laptop Battery Usage Guide

Many laptop users have this question and we will answer it right now:
The answer is: YES and NO, it depends on the situation.

Having a battery fully charged and the laptop plugged in is not harmful, because as soon as the charge level reaches 100% the battery stops receiving charging energy and this energy is bypassed directly to the power supply system of the laptop.

The modern lithium battery can be charged regardless of its current percentage, given that it has absolutely no negative effect in its performance.

However there's a disadvantage in keeping the battery in its socket when the laptop is plugged in, but only if it's currently suffering from excessive heating caused by the laptop hardware. 

The heat, among the fact that it has 100% of charge, is the great enemy of the lithium battery and not the plug, as many might think so.  

Common Battery Problem:

1. The Battery icon is always  empty.
An empty battery icon  indicates that your computer is running on battery power, but the charge can't be detected or measured. You might need to replace the battery, or there might be a problem with your computer hardware. To learn more, check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

2.The battery charge never reaches 100% percent.
The battery might be old, In some cases , when a battery is old, a full charge is represented as less than 100 % percent.

3. The battery won't hold a charge , doesn't last  as long as it used, or isn't recognized by Windows
The battery might be old or damages. For a solution to this problems, contact your computer manufucturer. If you  purchased the battery separately from the computer , contact the battery manufacturer.

4. I see a Message that says to " Consider replacing your Battery." 
Windows notifies you on the battery meter when your battery gets down to 40 percent of its original capacity (that is, it can only hold 40 percent or less of its designed capacity after it has been charged). This notification is new in Windows 7—earlier versions of Windows can't notify you when your battery is going bad. If you don't want to receive this notification, you can turn it off by clearing the check box on the battery meter.

5. The battery becomes  very HOT.
This could be caused by a problem with the battery itself. For a solution to this problem, contact your computer or battery manufacturer immediately.

Using power plans to save your battery

One of the easiest ways to save your battery without affecting the performance of your computer is to use one of the built-in power plans that come with Windows. Power plans are basically collections of hardware and software settings that control how your computer uses power. There are two power plans that come with Windows that are useful for laptops:

• Balanced. This is the plan that most laptops use by default. It offers full performance and display brightness when you need it and saves power during periods of inactivity.
• Power saver. This plan can help you get the most from a single battery charge. It saves power by reducing system performance and screen brightness.

In addition to the power plans that come with Windows, your computer manufacturer might offer additional plans. You can also create your own power plan, or customize the settings for one of the existing plans.

Blogmytuts Tips:

• When your battery can no longer hold a charge, don't throw it away. Instead, dispose of it properly by taking it to a recycling center or hazardous waste facility.
• Don't buy a spare lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery unless you plan to use it immediately. Lithium-ion batteries last only two to three years, whether or not you use them.
  If your laptop has a second battery bay and you want to extend the time that your computer can run on battery power, install another battery in the second bay.
• To store a battery for long periods of time, its charge capacity should be around 40% and it should be stored in a place as fresh and dry as possible. A fridge can be used (0ºC  - 10ºC), but only if the battery stays isolated from any humidity. 
  One must say again that the battery's worst enemy is the heat, so leaving the laptop in the car in a hot summer day is half way to kill the battery.
  If you intend to purchase another battery, it's recommended that you do it only when the current battery is very degraded. If it's not the case, the non usage of a battery leads to its degradation.
  If a spare battery is purchased and won't be used for a long time, the above storage method should be used.
  Besides that, when purchasing a battery you must pay attention to the manufacturing date.