Battery simple question

[DarkNetworks]

Just a quick question about batteries.
Is it better to use up (till can't be used) or in other words, drain the battery (iPod or iBook or Powerbook) and then charge till full again or just charge the battery full back when it's half used or not fully used up. Which one will make ur battery life lasts longer?

 

[mad jew]

Only fully drain the battery about once a month. Otherwise, just plug it in whenever you want.

 

[LimeiBook86]

Only fully drain the battery about once a month. Otherwise, just plug it in whenever you want.

I've also herd if you leave the Laptop or iPod plugged in too long to the power source it could confuse the battery or something like that, at least that's what the guy at the Apple Store said.

I leave my PowerBook plugged in a lot because of the short battery life but, I let it drain like I should. If you check here Apple lets you download an iCal event that'll tell you every so-often to drain your batterys.

 

[alex_ant]

Apple wants you to drain your battery more often so that you'll buy more batteries. The more you drain, the shorter your battery life gets over time. The only way to keep your battery lasting a long time is to never, ever drain it. Of course, that would defeat the whole purpose of having a battery. So you need to find the balance that's right for you.

 

[Bad_JuJu]

I worked with a laptop battery guru at my previous life - bottom line is the new LiOn (lithium-Ion) and Nickel-Metal_Hydride batteries LIKE to be on the charger and don't like to be drained too often

 

[osprey76]

I worked with a laptop battery guru at my previous life - bottom line is the new LiOn (lithium-Ion) and Nickel-Metal_Hydride batteries LIKE to be on the charger and don't like to be drained too often

This is correct. The drain the battery to avoid "memory" applied to Ni-Cad batteries, not Li-Ion. Lithium ion batteries are better off always keeping as high a charge as possible. Also, keeping them cool is definitely better. Lastly, even if you don't use the battery they will lose a minimum of 20% capacity per year from the moment they are manufactured. Ah... progress!