Does always having your laptop running on AC Power ruin the batter

[Guest]

Does always having your laptop running on AC Power ruin the battery?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Does always having your laptop running on AC Power ruin the battery?

*If* you have the battery in the laptop while it is plugged into AC Power
(and the battery is not charging) - it can shorten the life considerably;
more because of the heat than anything else.

 

[Guest]

You mean a laptop can run on AC power without the battery?

 

[M.I.5¾]

You mean a laptop can run on AC power without the battery?

:

It should be able to. Shenan is entirely correct, though. It is best to
remove it when running on AC because Li-ion batteries hate even moderate
heat.

This question would be right at the top of the FAQs - if there was a list of
FAQs.

 

[Guest]

It's a good idea to 'cycle' a battery to prolong it's like. Once in a while,
run the battery flat then fully recharge it. If the battery is not being
'cycled', then it's life will shorten.

 

[M.I.5¾]

It's a good idea to 'cycle' a battery to prolong it's like. Once in a
while,
run the battery flat then fully recharge it. If the battery is not being
'cycled', then it's life will shorten.

Whilst it is true tht Li-ion batteries don't particularly like not being
used, there is a more pressing reason to run the battery down and recharge
it periodically. It recalibrates the battery monitor circuit so that the
correct residual charge is reported. The recalibration doesn't take place
unless the laptop itself ends the discharge and signals the battery
accordingly (virtually all (if not all) laptops do this). I would suggest
about every 6 months is fine for a little used battery, but if the battery
is heavily used then more frequently would be called for.