I'm new to laptops, bought a used one (Toshiba Satellite). The battery in it is fine, but after a 16 hour power outage the other night, due to a storm, I realized I could use the USB on it to recharge my cell phone (till the laptop battery died). I am buying another battery to have for a spare, for something like this (though the power doesn't usually go out for that long).
I've been reading about laptop batteries and not sure what is best, to use them unplugged and run down the battery, then recharge it? To leave it plugged in when it's not being used and turned off? One place said to take the battery out if using it plugged in, and one place said to not have it plugged in while using it.
I had been leaving it plugged in and using it plugged in (with battery in it) most of the time.
Can someone tell me what is best? Also, when I get the new battery, my plan is to put it in, plug it in and charge it, then take it out and store it (how long will it last as a spare?) but now I'm thinking it should be used, run down and recharged several time, first?
Just need some clear info about this, what is best for the laptop battery and what's best to set one up to put away for a spare (if the power is out)
Also, since I don't really know WHEN the power is going out, I'd like to keep the one in the laptop pretty well charged all along just in case. (the other night, I was using it, after the power went out, and then thought of charging my cell phone with the USB, when it was partly run down)
Hope this isn't too confusing. I have a landliine phone through Charter Cable, that depends on electricity and cable modem to to work, which is why I want the cell phone charged as a backup. (I also bought a spare battery for this to have on hand)
Thanks!
I've been reading about laptop batteries and not sure what is best, to use them unplugged and run down the battery, then recharge it? To leave it plugged in when it's not being used and turned off? One place said to take the battery out if using it plugged in, and one place said to not have it plugged in while using it.
I had been leaving it plugged in and using it plugged in (with battery in it) most of the time.
Can someone tell me what is best? Also, when I get the new battery, my plan is to put it in, plug it in and charge it, then take it out and store it (how long will it last as a spare?) but now I'm thinking it should be used, run down and recharged several time, first?
Just need some clear info about this, what is best for the laptop battery and what's best to set one up to put away for a spare (if the power is out)
Also, since I don't really know WHEN the power is going out, I'd like to keep the one in the laptop pretty well charged all along just in case. (the other night, I was using it, after the power went out, and then thought of charging my cell phone with the USB, when it was partly run down)
Hope this isn't too confusing. I have a landliine phone through Charter Cable, that depends on electricity and cable modem to to work, which is why I want the cell phone charged as a backup. (I also bought a spare battery for this to have on hand)
Thanks!