New laptop - power running advice needed.

I've just bought a new all singing all dancing laptop. It's got a lovely 17" widescreen and it's a battery drinker!

Now, I've had my old lappy for 7 years, and always, always ran it on AC.
The few times I've had to use it on battery it's lasted about a nanosecond..
I've been led to believe this is because I've always ran it on AC and never on just battery - and/or always ran it with the battery connected when using AC and that's what's done for the battery.
As the old lappy battery is shot and I seldom used it for portability (would be embarrassed anyway!) I didn't care much, but I'm really concerned about screwing up the battery in this one as I will almost certainly need it for portability. I've Googled loads and found stoic arguments in both camps - one saying it's OK to run with battery in and AC in but occasionally discharge the battery by running on battery only, the other side saying big no-no as I would be effectively topping up the battery all the time - with this in mind, I've pulled the battery out, paranoid that I'm going to kill it.

Ideally, I'd like to alternate between the two as the lappy runs much cooler on battery. When plugged in the fan's kicking in a bit too often. But, I would prefer to leave the battery out if I'm going to be using it unnecessarily and killing it's life span.

Anyone have the insight to tell me once and for all what I can/can't should/shouldn't do? The battery is a Li-Ion type.

TIA

Id run it at home without the battery on mains ,every now and then use the battery and let it totally drain before recharging

Ta Zing. That's what I'm doing now. Is this based on experience or just common sense?

[dilligaf1701]

I have always just ran my laptop battery run out once a month.

[AndrewJ]

Yup it's called battery conditioning, something I do with my mobile aswell, once a month I will use it till it turns off due to low battery then charge it all night.

Originally Posted by Jefferson T

I have always just ran my laptop battery run out once a month.

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

Yup it's called battery conditioning, something I do with my mobile aswell, once a month I will use it till it turns off due to low battery then charge it all night.

Ta lads - but tell me, is this using the lappy with the AC AND the battery in?
Then you pull the AC cord and let it run on battery until it drains and then plug in again?

See, I'm trying to determine what is the real way of treating these batteries!
At the mo, the bloody thing is out of the machine and is staying that way until I know it's gonna be OK in there.. See what i mean?

[dilligaf1701]

I don't bother to take the battery out while using it on ac, although I have heard this can be a good idea.

[Matt D]

I thought Li-ion batteries didn't need "conditioning", & preferred partial charges to full discharge/charge cycles?

Originally Posted by Jefferson T

I don't bother to take the battery out while using it on ac, although I have heard this can be a good idea.

I see. Ta.

Originally Posted by Matt D

I thought Li-ion batteries didn't need "conditioning", & preferred partial charges to full discharge/charge cycles?

Exactly.
So many conflicting opinions on the net.

[Matt D]

Originally Posted by kryogenik

Exactly.
So many conflicting opinions on the net.

I've just found this re. Li-ion batteries:

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

A snippet from the end -

Simple Guidelines

* Avoid frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on the battery. Several partial discharges with frequent recharges are better for lithium-ion than one deep one. Recharging a partially charged lithium-ion does not cause harm because there is no memory. (In this respect, lithium-ion differs from nickel-based batteries.) Short battery life in a laptop is mainly cause by heat rather than charge / discharge patterns.

* Batteries with fuel gauge (laptops) should be calibrated by applying a deliberate full discharge once every 30 charges. Running the pack down in the equipment does this. If ignored, the fuel gauge will become increasingly less accurate and in some cases cut off the device prematurely.

* Keep the lithium-ion battery cool. Avoid a hot car. For prolonged storage, keep the battery at a 40% charge level.

* Consider removing the battery from a laptop when running on fixed power. (Some laptop manufacturers are concerned about dust and moisture accumulating inside the battery casing.)

* Avoid purchasing spare lithium-ion batteries for later use. Observe manufacturing dates. Do not buy old stock, even if sold at clearance prices.

* If you have a spare lithium-ion battery, use one to the fullest and keep the other cool by placing it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze the battery. For best results, store the battery at 40% state-of-charge.

Thanks Matt.
Pretty much what I discovered from Googling myself.
Guess I should leave the lappy battery out until I need it then.

[Matth]

A correctly functioning Li-Ion battery and charge system should not overcharge.

Some laptops may consider the absence of the battery to be an error condition.

Originally Posted by Matth

A correctly functioning Li-Ion battery and charge system should not overcharge.

Some laptops may consider the absence of the battery to be an error condition.

See this is conflicting again.
Can't win?

[AndrewJ]

Nope i think it's down to what suits under your warranty, I would ask at the shop or place of purchase and see what they have to say about it.

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

I would ask at the shop or place of purchase and see what they have to say about it.

Dixons/Currys Digital.

That's why I came here.