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Make Sure You Condition Your Laptop Battery

When you purchase a new laptop, make sure you condition the battery or you’ll end up buying a replacement in the very near future.

The conditioning process varies among laptop manufacturers, so make sure you read the instructions that came with your new laptop. Some manufacturers recommend that you completely drain the battery before allowing it to fully charge, and then repeating that process two or three times before you do a partial charge.

Others have different instructions so, again, be sure to ask your Tech Experts team member, or follow the directions that came with your new laptop.

After you’ve conditioned your battery, we recommend that you allow your laptop battery to completely drain once every 3 to 4 months, and then fully recharge it to refresh all cells.

A well-maintained battery should accept hundreds of recharges and last for a long time.

The Best Laptop You Shouldn’t Own

For about $200 you’ll soon be able to buy a laptop that comes with a web browser, a word processor, camera, built-in wireless, flash memory, open source operating system, and more.

But this laptop, called the XO, wasn’t made for you, no matter how small your business is. It was “designed for the poorest and most remote children in the world,” by the non-profit group, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC).

Its 433Mhz energy-efficient AMD processor is slow. It has no hard drive, CD, or DVD drive.  Your hands are too big for the child-size keyboard. You’d go nuts trying to run a business using this machine and its puny 7.5” screen.

But you can and should consider making a purchase. The XO will be available to buyers in the U.S. for a two-week period, from November 12  – 26.

Under a program called “Give 1 Get 1,” buyers can purchase two laptops for $399. One would be shipped to a child in a developing nation, and the other to the buyer.  If you have the budget, buy them – just have both units shipped overseas, to kids who can really use them.

On the web: www.laptop.org.