How long does your lap top batteries last? New and now.

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

My laptop batteries are lasting only 90 minutes now, I did not notice how long they lasted when they were ne bacause I did not use the laptop on batteries much when it was new. How long did you batteries last when they were new, and how long do they last now? ( Give age of batteries )
My options are to buy a new laptop approx $599, buy a new battery for my old laptop $160 or I may try to rebuild the batteries myself approx $30. You can find a tutorial on how to do that on Youtube.

 

[Tokyo Heights]

I have two Sony Vio Laptops, the older model when it was new it used to last around 2.5 hrs but now after nearly 4.5 years its battery just last for 15-minutes fully charged, but another Sony Vio which i bought this year in February as my back-up laptop give me still over 2.5 hrs earlier it used to last upto 3 hrs but as day passes the battery back-up also reduces, so i generally use my electric adopter while at home, as Sony's laptop original batteries are costlier than other brands, but i am a Sony loyal productwise, i love Sony products!

 

[Brookstone]

I have a macbook and have noticed at times that even when I close it, it drains the memory. There's been times when it has gone to or close to 0%. Then other times , I might be away even longer, but does not drain as much. Weird

 

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

So if I am getting 90 minutes after 4 years, that is pretty good. I just saw a power inverter on special at Canadian Tire for about $20. At home I have my laptop plugged in. outside I can use the battery for 90 minutes, or have it plugged into to the car. I can also charge the laptop from the car as I drive.

On Special at CDN Tire next week for $20

 

[islandman4567]

So if I am getting 90 minutes after 4 years, that is pretty good. I just saw a power inverter on special at Canadian Tire for about $20. At home I have my laptop plugged in. outside I can use the battery for 90 minutes, or have it plugged into to the car. I can also charge the laptop from the car as I drive.

that does sound like the best option.

I didn't know you could rebuild them , I'll have to check out some of those youtube vids.

here's something I found kinda related ,

dewalt battery rebuilders

 

[Never Compromised]

I get about 2.5 to 3 hours, depending upon what I am doing. But as you cycle the battery, it loses its ability to hold a charge.

 

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

that does sound like the best option.

I didn't know you could rebuild them , I'll have to check out some of those youtube vids.

[/URL]

I have rebuilt Makita power tool NiCad Batteries for power drills. It is done like in the video. I do not have a spot welder, so I soldered the connection. I have had no problems with soldering. You can get battery packs at Home Depot or Canadian Tire when they have sales of close out items for as little as $5. The cells inside are new, all you have to do is fit them to your battery pack and solder them in.

I know you can get Lithium batteries for laptops for about $5 each, you will need 6 ( $30 )



Here is a Youtube Video on how to rebuild your laptop battery.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtqRvAu71Gw&feature=fvw

BTW - On a Dell laptop battery, you have to peel back the sticker to see the old batteries in the battery pack.

 

[GDLLover]

Much of the capability of battery time is due to the cells AH rating. (Ampere-Hours). If anyone is thinking of rebuilding a battery pack ensure you take the AH rating into consideration when picking replacement batteries. At the same time the battery voltage must be the same as the original.

 

[CapitalGuy]

My brand new macbook pro gives me nearly 8 hours of non-graphic work (word processing, cruising the net). About 5 hours if I'm watching DVDs.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Here's a good article on laptop battery maintenance.
How to prolong lithium-based batteries

 

[addy]

my 2 year old macbook

gets 3.5 hrs if i got wireless on and 5 if i turn it off, biggest thing i do is when im home i take the battery out, i dont know why but i get better battery performance now

 

[Larry_Fyne]

Cannot say enough about http://www.battdepot.ca/ good prices and quick delivery.

 

[Lochlan651]

If a new laptop would cost you $599 that is probably your problem...maybe having something besides a cheap laptop would help.

Some processors (the expensive ones) are made specifically to use less power, therefor causing less wear and tear on the battery.

Cheaper models will have cheaper processors.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Simple Guidelines

Avoid frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on the battery. Several partial discharges with frequent recharges are better for lithium-ion than one deep one. Recharging a partially charged lithium-ion does not cause harm because there is no memory. (In this respect, lithium-ion differs from nickel-based batteries.) Short battery life in a laptop is mainly cause by heat rather than charge / discharge patterns.

Batteries with fuel gauge (laptops) should be calibrated by applying a deliberate full discharge once every 30 charges. Running the pack down in the equipment does this. If ignored, the fuel gauge will become increasingly less accurate and in some cases cut off the device prematurely.

Keep the lithium-ion battery cool. Avoid a hot car. For prolonged storage, keep the battery at a 40% charge level.

Consider removing the battery from a laptop when running on fixed power. (Some laptop manufacturers are concerned about dust and moisture accumulating inside the battery casing.)

Avoid purchasing spare lithium-ion batteries for later use. Observe manufacturing dates. Do not buy old stock, even if sold at clearance prices.

If you have a spare lithium-ion battery, use one to the fullest and keep the other cool by placing it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze the battery. For best results, store the battery at 40% state-of-charge.

http://batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

 

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

If a new laptop would cost you $599 that is probably your problem...maybe having something besides a cheap laptop would help.

Some processors (the expensive ones) are made specifically to use less power, therefor causing less wear and tear on the battery.

Cheaper models will have cheaper processors.

I realy do not need a good laptop, I prefer to spend my money on a good desktop. The laptop is to transport files and photos. A $599 laptop is good enough. I will be getting the power inverter for my car. Even though I will be getting the new laptop soon, I will try to rebuild the batteries myself on the old one.

 

[AdrenalinJunkie]

My laptop used to be good for four hours. Now, after 3 years, it is about 1/2 hr. to 45 minutes, with work too cheap to replace it.

Battery life does make me wonder about hybrids though. After five years, how much of a hybrid is it, and how much is it just running off the engine?

 

[Lochlan651]

I realy do not need a good laptop, I prefer to spend my money on a good desktop. The laptop is to transport files and photos. A $599 laptop is good enough. I will be getting the power inverter for my car. Even though I will be getting the new laptop soon, I will try to rebuild the batteries myself on the old one.

Now that I read my post again, I realize I misspoke. I didnt mean to imply that you needed a better one, I simply meant that a low end laptop would have less battery life than a high end one, one reason being the lower end processor.

No offense intended