Notebook batteries: Discharge monthly

Notebook batteries last longer if maintained properly.

The lithium-ion batteries found in notebooks such as the Macintosh iBook and PowerBook, for example, can last through 300 recharging cycles and still be at 80% efficiency, according to the computer magazine MacUp, based in Poing, Germany.

In order to increase the lifetime of your notebook battery, fully discharge the battery at least once per month, and then recharge it fully.

Doing so is called recycling the battery.

Some notebooks have a special button on the battery that allows for such a recycling. Also, avoid leaving your battery in places where there is extreme heat or cold.

The battery life of notebook computers left in a warm automobile, for example, will generally wear a much quicker than batteries that are kept away from temperature extremes. (dpa)