Laptop Battery Articles & Tips For Apple®
Upgrade my Laptop Battery from NiMH to Li-Ion
NiCD, NiMH and Li-Ion laptop batteries are all fundamentally different from one another and cannot be substituted unless the laptop has been pre-configured from the manufacturer to accept more than one type of battery chemistry. Please refer to your manual to find out which rechargeable battery types the laptop device supports or use our Battery Finder above to find all the compatible laptop batteries for your Apple® device. It will automatically list all of the battery chemistries supported by your specific device. If your device does allow you to upgrade the battery from NiMH to Li-Ion, you will typically get longer run times.
For example, if your laptop uses a NI-MH battery that is 9.6 Volts, 4000mAh and the new li-ion laptop battery is 14.4 Volt, 3600mAh, then you will obtain longer run time with the li-ion battery.
Example.
Li-Ion: 14.4 Volts x 3.6 Amperes = 51.84 Watt Hours
Ni-MH: 9.6 Volts x 4 Amperes = 38.4 Watt Hours
The Li-Ion is stronger and has longer run time.
Click here for information on calculating laptop battery run time.
How can I maximize the performance of my Laptop Battery for my Apple® Laptop?
There are several steps you can take to help you get maximum performance from your laptop battery:
Prevent Memory Effect - Keep the laptop battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries which do not suffer from memory effect.
Keep the laptop battery clean - It''s a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and the device. Check for any corrosion on the contacts.
Exercise the Battery - Do not leave the battery dormant for long periods of time. We recommend using the battery at least once every two to three weeks. If a laptop battery has not been used for a long period of time, fully charge and discharge the battery before using.
Battery Storage - If you don''t plan on using the laptop battery for a month or more, fully charge the battery and then store it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects. NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries will self-discharge during storage; remember to recharge the batteries before use.
What is the run time of a laptop battery?
Laptop batteries have three main ratings on them: Volts (V), Ampere-hour (Ah), and watt-hours (Wh or Whr). Because size and weight of laptop batteries is limited when compared to larger batteries such as car batteries, most companies show their ratings mainly as Milliampere-hour (mAh). One thousand Milliampere-hour equals 1 Ampere-hour. The more Milliampere-hour a battery is rated, the longer the laptop will run between recharges. Batteries are also rated by Watt-hours, which is simply found by multiplying the Volts and the Ampere-hours together. For example:
14.4 Volts, 4000mAh (Note: 4000mAh is equal to 4.0 Amperes).
14.4 x 4.0 = 57.60 Watt-Hours
Watt-Hours signifies the energy needed to power one watt for one hour. Thus this laptop battery can power 57.60 watts for one hour. If your laptop runs at 20.50 watts, as an example, this laptop battery could power your laptop for 2.8 hours (2 hours and 48 minutes).
Understanding your battery needs for your Apple® Laptop
We strive to make you laptop battery purchases easy. Since we understand that finding the right batteries for your needs can be overwhelming and confusing at times, we have developed a laptop battery finder tool to help you find the right battery for your laptop. We also offer educational articles and tips and a FAQ section to answer your questions and help you understand the most common problems.
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