Question on Notebooks:

I've been reading your advice regarding removing laptop batteries if AC use is over 2 hours. I never knew that!

But the problem is that removing my 17" MacBook Pro battery leaves an open cavern. Won't dust and humidity become a problem for the compuper? Or is there some sort of cover I can use? Also, if a blackout occurs, won't I lose all my work?

Submitted by Ann, via email

Answer:

Indeed there is a risk to take when trying to preserve the battery. Removing the cell does create a situation where the contacts are exposed and, as such, care must be taken that you do not spill liquids near the machine or expose it to excess humidity. However, in most normal situations removing the cell should not pose a threat to your laptop.

There is another alternative for those with business laptops. Some vendors like Sony have a battery care function that will prevent the AC adapter from charging the battery until it has discharged to a predetermined level (80 or 50 percent). This reduces the number of charge cycles and keeps the cell from degrading. But note that in most cases, a battery will deteriorate in 1 to 1.5 years anyway, no matter how much care you take. So these measures are only used to delay the inevitable.

gsr5867

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gsr5867 says...
I wouldn't remove it if I were you since it won't really do any good and yeah you risk exposing the contacts to dust and dirt which could do more damage and result in expensive repairs. Anyway in about a year or so your laptop's battery will need replacement.

Jul 01, 2009 19:29