laptop battery weakens over time

[drwoo123]

I have a Dell Inspiron 4150. I've been noticing the battery is getting weaker with every charge, or I should say that the charge doesn't last anywhere near as long as advertised. When I first got it the battery lasted easily 3 hours. Now in a 45 minute drive today it tells me 50% gone. Has anyone else experienced similiar problems like this - and if so any remedies??

thanx in advance
drwoo123

 

[Shmorq]

The battery performance always decreases with time.

I found over the years that my battery retains its capacity for a bit longer if I don't have the battery plugged in while I'm using AC. Other than this, I don't know how else to increase the life of the battery.

-Shmorq

 

[drwoo123]

Darn - this is just terrible - there must be some sort of a workaround - or Dell should send new batteries or something - its pointless to have a laptop and not have it be portable. Anyone else with similiar experience.

 

[NascarFool]

Sometimes if you run the battery completely dead and then recharge it without using it, they'll last a little longer. I have that problem with my Sony camera and my Compaq laptop. Both were purchased from Best Buy and both have extended warranties that cover the batteries.

 

[Batman5177]

my friend's inspiron 4000 battery life is now only about 10 minutes at full charge!

that battery was used a lot, and always drained to empty every time.

my inspiron 8100 still holds its charge of 2.5 hours because i rarely use it, and i never let to drain to less than 50%. i also take out the battery whenever i run off ac.

it's not a defect, it's just the decreasing life of a battery.

i think dell covers the batteries for 1 year, if u are under warranty, make them replace it!!!!!!

 

[BG4533]

Read this post about battery maintanence.

Brian

 

[tart666]

Originally posted by: BG4533
Read this post about battery maintanence.

yep. heard that before, too.

People recommend 44% of full charge for storage. Once every 3 months (at least) charge full and let drain to 44% again. You can increase the battery lifetime by 4 times