Why a Netbook's Battery Capacity Matters

When I see or hear about a new netbook in the market, the very first question that pops into my head is "How's the battery?". This is then followed by "What is its processor?" and other questions about the netbook.

The reason why I ask first about the battery is that most netbooks today bear the same specifications - same operating system, same processor (Intel Atom N450 is the latest processor commonly found in netbooks), same hard drive capacity, same RAM (upgradable up to 2 GB usually), etc. 

It is with respect to batteries that they oftentimes differ. Batteries may either be 3-cell or 6-cell. Currently, most netbooks have 6-cell batteries. Most probably, you would not want to get a netbook with 3-cell battery only although they may be a bit cheaper. A 6-cell battery is more advisable to have in a netbook. But take note of this: even among 6-cell batteries, there may be differences in capacities. Some netbooks have 6-cell batteries with 48wh capacity while some netbooks have 6-cell batteries with 63wh capacity. Of course, the latter can run your netbook longer than the former on a single charge. 

Worthy of mentioning here also is the fact that some netbooks offer 9-cell batteries. Ordinarily, this means longer runtime on battery for your netbook. However, this also means an undesirable bulge on your netbook in order to accommodate the 9-cell battery. Some people do not mind this anyway.

For netbooks, the ability to run on a battery for a longer period of time is very essential. Netbooks are meant to be carried around and used anywhere. They are not intended to be desktop replacements and to sit in one corner of your room the whole day.

If you are eyeing a particular netbook, you may want to inquire into how long the netbook can run on a single charge. Some manufacturers claim that their netbook can run for 10, 12, or 14 hours even though their batteries may be of the same capacity. This is due to the fact that netbooks today have built-in programs that allow the users to adjust the way the computer consumes power depending on how the computer is being used on a given occasion.

Once you are already satisfied with the battery, you may then proceed with your other questions about the netbook, especially about those that makes it different from the rest of the species.

5 Ways to Prolong the Life of your Notebook/Netbook Battery

For what good is a notebook or a netbook when its battery is crap? Forgive me for using that word but that is just the way it is.

The reason why notebook and, just recently, netbook computers were created is portability. Portability here does not only mean ease of carrying it around but also convenience in using it wherever you are, especially when there is nowhere to plug your notebook or netbook into.

Batteries are undoubtedly very important in a notebook or a netbook.

Most laptops nowadays have lithium-ion batteries and they allow for 500 cycles, more or less, depending on the capacity of the battery. One cycle consists of a charge/recharge and a discharge.

Eventually, batteries will die. A concrete example of this is the battery of my old notebook computer. On a full charge, it used to be able to run the notebook for several hours. Few months after, it started to give me only 30 minutes, then 10, and now that notebook computer cannot anymore be used unplugged. So much for portability, eh? I cannot anymore carry it around even though it is light because I would always have to look for a place with power sockets to plug it into.

Yes, it is a fact that the capacity of your notebook battery will diminish each day. However, there are ways of prolonging its life. Here are 5 ways:

1. Almost no one reads user's manuals these days. Maybe you have to go against this trend and start reading the user's manual included in your purchase of your notebook or netbook. It will tell you when to fully discharge your battery. I have read some manuals (no, it is not my hobby) stating that the user should let the battery fully discharge at least once a month or after several cycles - usually 30 cycles. This is necessary in calibrating the fuel gauge of your battery and in order to keep it accurate.

2. You do not need to always use or drain the battery until it is fully discharged. In fact, this will put more strain on the battery. Do it only as stated in the manual or once a month or after every 30 cycles, as the case may be. You should recharge the battery as soon as it alerts you that its battery level is already low - mostly when the level is only 10%.

3. If you intend to use your notebook computer plugged, you may remove the battery. As soon as the notebook computer is plugged into a power socket, the notebook is going to start recharging the battery if the battery is connected. This means the start of a new cycle. You can prolong a cycle by removing it when the computer will be plugged anyway, except when you will be charging the battery. However, if you are going to use your notebook as a desktop replacement - that is, you will be keeping it plugged for a longer period of time, say for several weeks or even months- you might as well store the battery in a cool, dry place at 40% level of charge. It was shown that it is at this level that the battery's capacity will not diminish the most when on a prolonged storage. In case of a prolonged storage, it is advisable that the battery be kept inside a sealed plastic bag to protect it from dust and moisture.

4. When running the notebook or netbook on its battery, activate the power-saving mode. This will exert less strain on the battery. While we are on this, let me also remind you not to use too many programs at the same time when your computer is running on its battery to avoid exerting too much strain on its battery. Disable some programs, adjust the screen brightness, and disconnect external hardwares, if convenient.

5. Avoid overheating the battery. Heat affects the battery pack. Likewise, do not put your notebook or netbook under direct sunlight or in hot places.

These are but few of the things that you can do to prolong the life of your notebook's or netbook's battery. These are very simple tips to consider and follow but the reward is great. Surely, you do not want to shell out money to replace a battery that you have only been using for few months.