Why does my Laptop battery die so quick?

[SN2BH22CB7]

after reading this...I think I will stick with a Desktop.

[mj213]

Dell batteries have a limited warranty. (1-2 years at most). If you keep them charged all the time they won't last as long. You need to run them until the battery dies, then recharge fully for the best efficiency.

When you use your notebook, it needs to be on a flat surface that doesn't retain heat (blankets, pillows, clothes, etc are bad).

Turn down the brightness on the screen, turn off devices like the ethernet port, wireless, if not in use.

Most notebook batteries don't last more than 2-3 hours. When you bought your machine you had choice between 2 types of batteries. One being cheap (least power duration) and the other one costing more (lasts longer). Still, don't expect them to last more than a few hours.

A lot of notebooks, in the consumer market, are referred to as "desktop replacements". They're just as powerful and versatile as a desktop machine, but are portable (somewhat). They consume a LOT of power, and are VERY inefficient when used directly off the battery for any amount of time. Microsoft OS' have 2 power management settings, one for ac power, one for battery power. When on ac power, the screen is brightest, all devices stay on, screen savers, etc. When on battery power, everything is set to a minimum amount of power draw - screen is dim, peripherals are shut down, screen savers turned off, etc.

[owequitit]

ALL batteries have finite lifespans, and yours is 3 years old. It is not surprising that it doesn't last very long at this point.

[sackingz123]

you could rebuild your battery or just buy a new one.

[GHOST 2.2]

ALL batteries have finite lifespans, and yours is 3 years old. It is not surprising that it doesn't last very long at this point.

+1 i was gonna say that too. its a 3 year old battery. I think it needs a break.

[TheNextEpisode]

A lot of notebooks, in the consumer market, are referred to as "desktop replacements". They're just as powerful and versatile as a desktop machine, but are portable (somewhat). They consume a LOT of power, and are VERY inefficient when used directly off the battery for any amount of time. Microsoft OS' have 2 power management settings, one for ac power, one for battery power. When on ac power, the screen is brightest, all devices stay on, screen savers, etc. When on battery power, everything is set to a minimum amount of power draw - screen is dim, peripherals are shut down, screen savers turned off, etc.

Yeah, my Toshiba desktop replacement (17" p105-s9722) is a battery eater. I'll get maybe an hour and a half on my relatively new battery.


Here's a nice little list of tips that I go by. My 7 year old dell on the original battery still holds two and half hours of battery life POSSIBLY because I've been attempting to follow lists like the one I linked whenever I can.