There are a wide variety of  batteries that can power laptops for a long period of time. Depending on the laptop and the types of batteries that it uses, the charge length and other variables usually affect how long they last.

Laptop batteries are useful as they are a direct power source to the laptop.  Low power laptops consume less power and can reserve battery charge longer. Modern day laptop batteries last anywhere from 6-8 hours easily and can extend battery charge by using the laptop for lower power consumption uses.Laptop Batteries

For example,

Battery charge is quickly used up for the fol. reasons:

  • High screen backlight brightness
  • Being connected to wireless Internet
  • Browsing the web
  • Using a video game
  • Playing sound through the speakers
  • Using high memory applications
  • Watching a DVD or listening to a CD in the disc drive
  • Using external devices and peripherals

Activities that help the laptop consume less power are:

  • Dimming the backlight
  • Reading an e-book
  • Word processing
  • Letting the hard drive spin down
  • Turning off blue tooth and wireless connectivity
  • Using power management capabilities
  • Closing unnecessary background processes

By doing energy saving activities on the laptop, it is possible to reduce its power consumption, thereby extending battery life. Performing activities that require high energy generally kills the battery in a shorter time, forcing the user to constantly plug the laptop into a power source.

Types of Laptop Batteries

There are three main types of batteries that laptops use. The Lithium Ion or Li-Ion battery is one of the more common high performance batteries. Nickel Cadmium or NiCad and Nickel Metal Hydride or NiMH batteries are the other available options for consumer electronics such as Laptops. Both are capable of giving a decent amount of battery life to mobile devices such as laptops.

Ni-Cad batteries are one of the first to be used with laptops. They charge in a moderate amount of time. They tend to have a bad memory effect, which is what happens when the battery is charged and only partially discharged. The discharging must be done when it is almost complete for it to work efficiently. The memory effect often causes the battery to lose maximum capacity after some use. Discharging the battery fully is somewhat necessary, especially when the laptop will not be used for long periods of time.

NiMH batteries are similar to Ni-Cad, but they last a bit longer. The main problem with a NiMH battery is that it has the battery memory effect. Overcharging and under-using usually causes NiMH batteries to have shorter charge capacity over time as well. NiMH batteries should be discharged at least once per week and recharged to near full capacity, rather than going with a partially discharged battery for most of the time.

The Li-Ion battery is the lightweight option that stores a really good amount of charge. They perform very well and have even battery depletion. Li-Ion batteries have fast charging times, which is generally useful for computer users who are on the move often. Li-Ion batteries impact the environment less in terms of the manufacturing process as well as recycling options, as they cannot be thrown away in normal garbage. Li-Ion batteries have one weakness and that is being completely discharged. Unfortunately, discharging the battery in this way makes it much more difficult to regain the proper charge to return the battery to a complete charge.

Finding out the Battery Type in a Laptop

The laptop’s battery type is generally written on the battery. Some have this information on the outside as well. The newer the laptop, the more likely it is to be using a Li-Ion battery. Before switching between battery types, it is important to know whether batteries are made for the laptop and whether they are compatible with the laptop. Generally, the battery has the following information available with it:

Battery Strength – The battery strength is rated in mAh (miliampere-hour). Batteries can have the same shape and size but a totally different battery strength. The stronger it is, the more likely that it will have a longer battery life. Batteries with a higher rating may be incompatible with the laptop and can cause problems if used.

Voltage – The voltage that is used to power the laptop is usually in the laptop’s documents or stickers. The battery voltage must match to prevent damage to the laptop.

Charging Requirements – Although batteries can generally be swapped for better options, it is important to know how they must be charged. Using the incorrect charger can cause the battery to under or over charge, which could cause the battery to lose power quickly or explode.

Upgrading the Laptop Battery Type

Generally, upgrading batteries is common when there is a new type available. The upgrade tree starts with Ni-Cad batteries. Any laptop that uses Ni-Cad batteries will more than likely be able to upgrade to the next option, the NiMH. Those using the NiMH will more than likely need an upgrade to Li-Ion batteries. If possible, Ni-Cads should be upgraded to compatible Li-Ion batteries.

Not having the correct battery charger makes upgrading dangerous as battery chargers must provide each battery type with the right amount of charge. Alternate chargers that allow the battery to be charged separately are available. A separate charger that can provide the correct amount of current and voltage to charge the battery is the best option and can be plugged in through the same charging cable connection.

Laptop Battery Changing Risks

When using an unapproved battery in a laptop, there are a few things that can go wrong. It is important to understand the risks of using unapproved batteries in a laptop:

Leakage – Overheating causes battery leakage, which may cause severe damage.

Corrosion – Corrosion of contacts, leads, and other laptop parts may occur when there is leakage or overheating.

Shorts – Batteries that do not fit properly or have exposed connections may short at some point. Shorting can kill the battery or cause other problems.

Fire – Fire can happen when there is a short or the battery gets too hot from not being used properly.

Explosion – Overheating and other battery problems can cause battery explosion.

Note: Even batteries that are approved for the laptop may undergo these drastic problems. Non-OEM batteries are more likely to have problems when used improperly.