Laptop battery?

Question

Is there any way to make my laptop battery last longer, like it was when I first got it 2 years ago? It's rediculous...after I unplug it when it says it's fully charged, it's only 97%! Also, the estimated battery life goes from 35 minutes, and then you look again a few seconds later and it says 1 hr 8 mins.
So, does anyone know how to make it good again? What is the 'proper' way to take care of it?

Answer 1

I'd say that you have to replace it. Depending on how much you use your laptop, that's how worn out your battery'll get. I have an iBook G4 for about 5 years and I just replaced the battery last year and it's lasted upto 6 hours on battery time.



There are a couple of things you can do to make your battery life longer:

1) When charging it, make sure you don't leave it charging overnight.

2) Unplug the power chord when it's charged.

3) Dim down the brightness of the screen. I know it sux to have the light dimmed, but it'll add to your battery life.

4) Change the settings of the laptop to make it last the longest possible.

5) Replace the one you have on there. I think it's time.



Not all batteries are great just because the laptop is new. Sometimes lemons come out and well, you have to replace it.

Answer 2

2 years is pretty good, so you are probably close to needing a new one.

The IBM website suggests that you disable all for the warning alarms for the battery and just leave the laptop on until it stops then fully charge it.



you could try this;

http://www.askageek.com/2007/12/11/ibm-thinkpad-r50-battery-trouble/

Answer 3

You could change the power settings on your laptop to increase battery life, or just keepit plugged it all the time (I know it defeats the point).



But if you want a more reliable battery you may need to consider buying a new one.

Answer 4

Consider yourself lucky. I have never had a laptop battery last over a year before having to replace it.