Laptop Battery FAQ

Q How long does a laptop battery last? When should I consider replacing mine?
A All rechargeable batteries wear out with time and usage. As time and cumulative use increase, the performance will degrade. For the typical user, noticeable reduction in run time generally will be observed after 18 to 24 months. For a power user, reduction in run time generally may be experienced prior to 18 months. We recommend buying a new Dell laptop battery when the run time does not meet your needs.

Q How should I choose between two batteries with different Watt hours (Whr) available on one system?
A Higher Watt hours (Whr) on the same system under the same operating conditions will generally deliver longer battery run time. For example, if you compare the same system, running the same applications, the 53Whr battery would provide approximately 65% more run time than the 32Whr battery.

Q How long am I able to use my laptop on a fully charged battery?
A Many factors affect the amount of time that a portable computer battery can deliver power before it must be recharged. These factors include the configuration (processor, memory, etc.), types of applications being run and display brightness.
Dell uses industry standard benchmarks for battery run time claims. For more information on battery run times and benchmarks, the white paper, "Understanding Battery Life in Portable Computers" is available at:

Q How do I charge my laptop battery?
A The battery charges in the laptop when the laptop is connected to an AC power source via the AC adapter.

Q How long does it take for a laptop battery to fully recharge?
A The charge time varies depending on the system. the battery typically will have greater than 80% charge after about an hour of charging, and fully charge in about 2 hours with the system off.


Q Should I totally discharge, then recharge my laptop battery occasionally to make it last longer?
A No, discharging and charging does not increase the life of a Lithium Ion technology battery.

Q Can a laptop battery be "overcharged"?
A No, the battery is designed to stop using the charger when it reaches full charge.

Q When docked or AC adapter is plugged into a wall outlet, am I using my battery charge?
A No.

Q Does laptop has external battery chargers?
A Espow.ca offers a Datamation battery charger for large institution customers. The charger has 16 charge bays to charge batteries for Latitude D500/D505/D510/D520/D600/D610 laptop systems. The product can be found at Dell.com here:

Q Is it easy to install a battery?
A Yes, very easy. First, make sure all open files are saved. Next, either attach the AC adapter directly to the laptop or set the system to "hibernate" mode or shut off. Release the latch on the current battery, and simply install the replacement battery.