LI batteries are better in most ways than the Ni Cad batteries.
However-- discharging beyond about 80% can reduce capacity, or "kill" the
battery.
Overcharging or too rapid discharge can damage the battery, or even cause a
fire. Some batteries have circuitry inside the battery case that is intended
to reduce the chances of overcharging, over discharging and high discharge
rates or % of capacity.
Full capacity "may" be regained by going through a charge/discharge cycle,
usually thought to be 3 to 5 cycles.
Apple currently has a bit of a problem with iPods and the LI batteries.
(~800 documented problems/complaints, at least that's what the Feds seem to
be saying)
I really hope that the "A123" type makes it into laptop use. Currently, it
seems to be going into power tools, and under priority development for
electric vehicles.
The real problem with laptops and batteries boils down to an unrealistic use
time rating.
If this isn't bad enough, part of the charge circuitry is in the battery,
and the rest in the laptop.
This supposedly allow the battery mfr greater control of the
charge/discharge process.
However, the battery mfr also has a vested interest in supplying replacement
batteries.
I use LI Po batteries for RC electric powered aircraft, and have a fairly
complex and programmable battery charger/balancer/cycler.
(Ni Cad, Li, Li-Po, Lead Acid, and A123 batteries.)
I recently used this unit to recover a laptop battery that was unchargable
using an Acer "netbook". Seems the problem is known, and peculiar to one
battery maker.
The netbook battery was usable after recovery, but had a reduced capacity.
Since it was under warrenty, it was replaced.
"Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:0B507BAF-A6B2-48D0-8E1F-61168987FCCC@xxxxxx
> This depends on the battery technology used in the device. Most newer
> batteries are Lithium-Ion type batteries which don't suffer from normal
> "memory" issues but do lose capacity if overheated or charged at too high
> a voltage. I personally would check the owner's manual that came with the
> device as most do have usage/charging advice.
>
> "Huib" <anonymous@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:4a74042f$0$2859$ba620e4c@xxxxxx
>> Hi,
>>
>> To keep the battery for a longer life what is the best:
>>
>> 1. using the mainpower : removing the battery and performing regularly a
>> decharging and recharging?
>> 2. using the mainpower : keeping the battery into the PC and performing
>> regularly a decharging and recharging?
>> 3. only working with the battery and of course performing the charging
>> when needed?
>>
>> Regards
>> Huib >