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Dell laptop questions

17 years ago

Hoping I can get some help and comments about my issue here. I have a Dell Inspiron 640m laptop; it's about 2 years old. I normally have used this plugged in, with the batter always attached. I used to get about 2 or more hours of battery time that has seriously changed over the last 2 months. Now, even when the laptop (with battery installed) is unplugged, I am getting less than 20 minutes of battery time. 2 weeks ago I was getting about 35 minutes of unplugged time with the battery.

Then someone told me that I should never have the battery in the laptop, unless I am charging the battery. I have never heard this before. What are the proper procedures for using a laptop battery? How do you get the most life out of the battery?

Second, I went to the Dell website to check the price on a new battery and it's $155!!!! Plus, the comments on the website from people who have bought this battery are very unfavorable. Most people have complained that the battery is a rip off, over-priced, and that it doesn't keep a charge very long. Anyone out there who has used Dell laptop batteries or the one that specifically goes with my model, can you please comment?

Also, is there a 'generic' battery I can purchase to use that is less expensive than the Dell battery?

Any assistance/comments/helpful suggestions to these questions would be most welcome.

Thanks, everyone.

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Comments (3)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
google your battery model number you will find other options, I have found a couple of really good battery stores on ebay that I have bought various type batteries with very good results and great prices.
grandms
17 years ago
I recently bought a replacement battery for my HP laptop online at a much better price than the HP price. I also bought a higher capacity battery than the original. I also found out that leaving the battery in as you did does shorten its life. Evidently these batteries are made to be recharged a limited number of times, and when they are left in all the time, they are constantly being recharged, hence the shortened life. The place I ordered mine sent very good instructions for the initial charging and use of the battery and tips for extending the life. They also shipped it in a heavy duty padded box, so that's where I store it when I'm using my laptop on AC power all the time.

Use RC's suggestion. I searched quite a few sites before deciding where to order mine. Compare not only price, but voltage, amp hours of operation, etc. to find the best for your use. I searched using the model number and make of my laptop and came up with lots of hits.
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mikie_gw
17 years ago
I used to take the battery out of my old toshiba and it lasted at least 4 yrs before I broke the laptop. I'd store it at slightly less than full charge when removed from the computer.

New toshiba I replaced that broken laptop with the instructions say leave the battery inplace all the time as it only charges when its capacity is something like below 94% of charge. Its really rare that I see its charging light glowing.
It's a year and a half old and still always shows and acts like it has full capacity as when new. I don't often use it on battery but when I do I try to let it run untill it warns me its low.

The battery placement in the new laptop is located in a very cool to touch section of the laptop so heat certainly shouldn't be an issue degrading it by leaving it plugged in & the lith-ion type batteries do not self discharge and leak down as quickly as some types will.

eBay usually has some new replacements at auction that if you inquire, usually they will have a date code that's about a year old but certainly less moneys.

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