Where do you see this conflict? The OP clearly (and correctly) states to not run your LiIon batteries completely dead. When LiIon's drain completely they grow a crystal structure that diminishes their recharge ability. However you must re-calibrate the charging meter (LiIon's have a complex recharge control system since the batteries are volatile) from time to time (about once every 30 charge cycles) by completely discharging the battery.
Wrong... Nickel-based batteries are the ones that can develop crystals. Not Lithium-ion! Below is on Apple's web page for Battery Care.
Please read carefully...
Lithium-ion batteries pack in a higher power density than nickel-based batteries. This gives you a longer battery life in a lighter package, as lithium is the lightest metal.
You can also recharge a lithium-ion battery whenever convenient, without the full charge or discharge cycle necessary to keep nickel-based batteries at peak performance. (
Over time, crystals build up in nickel-based batteries and prevent you from charging them completely, necessitating an inconvenient full discharge.)
Most lithium-ion batteries use a fast charge to charge your device to 80% battery capacity, then switch to trickle charging. That’s about two hours of charge time to power an iPod/iPhone to 80% capacity, then another two hours to fully charge it, if you are not using the iPod/iPhone while charging. You can charge all lithium-ion batteries a large but finite number of times, as defined by charge cycle.
A charge cycle means using all of the battery’s power, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a single charge. For instance, you could listen to your iPod for a few hours one day, using half its power, and then recharge it fully. If you did the same thing the next day, it would count as one charge cycle, not two, so you may take several days to complete a cycle. Each time you complete a charge cycle, it diminishes battery capacity slightly, but you can put notebook, iPod, and iPhone batteries through many charge cycles before they will only hold 80% of original battery capacity. As with other rechargeable batteries, you may eventually need to replace your battery.
For proper maintenance of a lithium-based battery, it’s important to keep the electrons in it moving occasionally. Be sure to go through at least one charge cycle per month (charging the battery to 100% and then completely running it down).
Carl D.
