One of the critical components that identifies a laptop computer is its laptop battery that gives it its portability. A number of different battery technologies have been utilized over the years and laptop computers and as they have developed they have become smaller and lighter while providing more power. However, computer hardware has also seen a reduced size and weight so laptop batteries still contribute highly to the weight of the overall machine.

Modern laptop computers use two types of batteries, the lithium ion battery and the lithium polymer battery. Both of these battery types provide a high power to weight ratio and lose their charging capacity over a relatively long period of time. However, the lithium ion battery may be subject to overheating due to either defects or improper care. That is why the stability of a lithium polymer battery is regarded as a more advanced design.

Laptop computer batteries are rechargeable and they can undergo the discharge charge cycle numerous times. But all rechargeable batteries eventually wear out and will need to be replaced. The type of battery that are supplied with your laptop computer will be indicated in the user's manual that came with the laptop computer. This information is also commonly available on the vendor's website. This documentation should also provide an approximation of the batteries lifetime and the steps that you can take to prolong its life.

Laptop Battery Power Consumption

Most modern laptop batteries will power the computer for an average of 3 to 5 hours. This is a large improvement over the shorter operating life that the earlier technologies have provided and battery engineers are continuing to develop more sophisticated batteries that offer longer operating times for the computer. Laptop computers themselves consumed different amounts of power and even the same laptop computer will have different power consumptions the pending on how it is set up.

Different programs and different computing task typically require varying amounts of electrical power from the laptop computer. Normal business applications such as word processing programs and spreadsheet programs do not place a high demand on the laptop's battery power. And although e-mail applications and Internet software clients do not require large amounts of power themselves, the WiFi circuitry in the laptop computer is somewhat of a power hog. Other power intensive applications include DVD players, applications to play music, and graphics programs to add it digital video and photographs. Generally speaking, multi-media applications generally demand a lot of the laptop's power. It is recommended that you run your laptop computer from its power cable when you are performing any energy intensive task so that you do not unexpectedly need to terminate your programs.

The battery icon that appears on the bottom right in the taskbar of most computers will show you how much battery power you will have to left. You should maximize your laptop computers power management functions to conserve battery power and you should also use its sleep function when you are not using your laptop. Many times this battery icon will also give you an indication of the overall health of the laptop battery.

Your laptop computers battery management utility a layout you to set your personalized power scheme. The settings can usually be differentiated for both operating the computer on battery power and on electrical power. These laptop computers battery management settings can be found under the power options in the system's control panel for Windows operating systems.

Battery Charging

Your laptop computer is powered by DC or direct current. That is because this is the type of energy that is stored in all rechargeable batteries. However, since electrical outlets provide AC or alternating current, a converter must be used to transform the energy to DC power. This AC DC adapter will come supplied with the laptop computer. It can be used to charge the battery when the computer is not being used and it can also be used to power the computer when it is plugged in to the computer's power port. When the adapter is supplying power to the laptop computer while it is being used, the utility will indicate that it is running on AC power. Your laptop computer will also indicate that the battery is being charged when the computer is not in use by flashing LEDs on the computer. This is different for each computer system so referrer to your computers manual for the specifics to your system.

The laptop battery on my HP has almost died after about two years. I'm looking for a replacement laptop battery, but I can't find much info on this. Can anybody offer some advice or point me in the right direction?

Located within the housing of the replacement laptop batteries are the battery cells. Each battery cell is usually one and a half volts each, and the total voltage of the replacement laptop battery is a sum of the voltage of the individual cells that are connected in series. The voltage of the battery pack is the critical specification in considering a replacement laptop battery. The milli-amp hours are indicative of the operating time that a given battery will provide and are not a critical consideration, but replacement laptop batteries with larger milli-amp hour ratings will operate a laptop computer for a longer period of time that a battery pack with a lower milli-amp rating.

The electronic board regulates the laptop battery charging and discharging power, and is unique to replacement laptop batteries. This electronic circuit regulates the charge in to and out of each of the internal cells in the replacement laptop battery pack and ensures that the individual cells each have an equal charge at all times. This results in prolonging the battery life and ensures that overcharging of the cells does not occur.

On a more basic level of battery function, the plates of each cell react with the electrolyte that results in the flow of electrons (electricity) from the negative to positive terminal in the battery. The electrolyte is generally comprised of a chemical compound and is usually an acid. The battery is discharged when the electrolyte loses its acidity. The process of charging a replacement laptop battery restores the charged ions and the electrolyte regains its acidity. This process is true for all rechargeable batteries.

The charging and discharging process of replacement laptop batteries is controlled by hardware circuits built into the laptop computer. This circuitry provides for the proper operation of the individual battery cells in the replacement laptop battery pack. It works in conjunction with your laptop's power management software and provides a graphical indicator of the battery's power level.  This indicator is usually displayed in the system tray of most Windows laptop computers.

Although laptop batteries are rechargeable, they do have a limited operating life. Proper battery care attention to the charging and discharging cycles of replacement laptop batteries will result in maximizing the useful life of the battery. A laptop battery will normally last anywhere from 500 to 750 cycles, and some newer batteries are being formulated with increased cycling abilities. Once the battery has been depleted it will need to be replaced with another replacement laptop battery. Although the number of charge cycles of the battery will depend on the usage of the laptop, it is a good idea to fully discharge your laptop computer before you recharge the battery to minimize the charge cycles performed on the battery pack.

NiCad batteries are one of the oldest technologies used for OEM and replacement laptop batteries. However, although this technology is used in rechargeable devices for mechanical devides, it is not used in today's replacement laptop batteries. NiCad batteries are heavy compared to todays laptop and notebook batteries and have a poor power to weight ratio. NiCad laptop batteries are also subject to memory effect. The NiCad batteries also are manufactured with heavy metals, and are difficult to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries succeeded NiCad batteries in laptop computer use. They are less prone to memory effects and the offer a better power to weight ratio than NiCad batteries. However, NiMH battery technology has, for the most part, been discontinued for the manufacture of replacement laptop batteries.

Today, most OEM and replacement laptop battery manufacturers employ Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) technology. Since they are relatively light compared to their power, they are also commonly found in cell phones and digital cameras and camcorders. Li-Ion batteries do not suffer from the memory effect phenomenom and are easier to dispose of than the older technologies. However, these batteries tend to lose their power charge quickly when then are near the end of their useful life, so consider this a warning that a replacement laptop battery will soon be required if you find that your laptop battery will not hold its charge.

Your laptop computer battery's life will vary depending on how your laptop comuter is configured and used. Operating time can be expanded by adjusting the screen's brightness to a lower level, disabling unused peripheral devices and exiting any unused software applications. Most laptop computer's have a software utility to adjust the computer's laptop battery power options. Today's laptop batteries will generally power a laptop computer for anywhere from two to five hours depending on the charge capacity of the OEM or replacement laptop battery and the computer's power requirements.

When buying a replacement laptop battery for your computer, you will likely find several options availabe from both the original equipment manufacturer and the secondary manufacturers. Although you will need to purchase the same battery technology and voltage rating as the original battery, consider upgrading your computer's operating life by purchasing a replacement laptop battery with a higher amperage rating.

If you need to keep your laptop computer plugged in to its AC adapter to keep your laptop running, it probably means that your laptop's battery is dying. If that's the case, then it's time for you to start looking for a replacement laptop battery. The error that most people make is thinking that the computer's manufacturer is the only place to get a battery and they end up paying more than they have to. However, when the see that the manufacturer charges an extremely high price for their laptop batteries they start to look elsewhere.

I have a DELL Inspiron 2500 laptop and charge the battery fully and use the computer until the battery is fully discharged. By charging the battery in this manner, the battery was dead after 12 months. What is the best practice to use when charging a laptop battery to prolong its' life?

With Lithium Ion batteries on laptops, there's not much of a problem of battery memory anymore, so one can charge a laptop battery whenever, without having to wait for it to completely discharge.

But what's better overall for my battery's life and the environment (i.e. saves electricity), if I keep my laptop plugged in at all times when I don't need to go portable, or only keep it in enough to charge it, and then let it run off the battery until it runs out of juice?

I have a laptop and its first battery only lasted me a year before dieing permanently. I have a new battery now, and want to know what to do so it will last longer. Should I let the battery die every so often? Is it true that overcharging the battery is bad? Please let me know.