In today’s small business world more computer users are dependent on their notebooks than ever before. Whether working from home, while traveling or during each day’s commute, those hours may be necessary to keep productivity levels up. If having small business information available is important to success, then the battery life of a business notebook is essential.
Today’s laptop computer batteries are made with the lithium-ion chemistry, the lightest of all the metals, which are not nearly as harmful on the environment as batteries of the past. The average laptop battery lasts anywhere between 300-500 charge cycles before it is unable to hold a charge and a replacement battery is needed.
One charge cycle is the process of fully charging your battery, then fully discharging your battery, and then fully charging it again. Doing this not only lets you know when it is time for a replacement notebook battery, but it also keeps the fuel gauge accurate. These are charge cycles, but repeating this process is called calibration. This is essential for the mobile user who is constantly on the go so their work is not interrupted because of an inaccurate fuel gauge. Calibrating the laptop’s battery regularly will eliminate the frustration of a battery that claims, for example, 2 hours of charge remaining, then shuts off after only 25 minutes.
What are the signs when it’s time to replace the notebook’s battery? If the battery is unable to hold at least 80% of its original charge it’s time to start shopping. While 80% sounds like a good amount, the runtimes between charges will begin to decrease quickly, possibly leaving the user in the lurch without access to an outlet to recharge.
