Thinkpads Forum

I think I'm gonna buy an IBM ThinkPad T42p. The main use will be to replace my two old 1.3 GHz AMD Duron workstations in my two offices.

So I'm gonna use the notebook mainly (but not only), to use it stationary in both offices, and it will travel with me between the two offices. This way I finally only have to setup only one machine properly, and I can carry all my data (especially emails) with me, without fiddling arround to set up a file- and mailserver, that can be accessed from both offices (for which I simply would have no time to set up and administrate).

Now this is only to let you know, what my real question is all about:

As long as I only use the notebook to work in the two offices (each with AC-adapter -> I probably will buy two docking stations, so that I do not have to fiddle with ac-adapter / mouse / printer / scanner every time), and it stays switched off when traveling between the two offices, is it the proper treatment, to remove the notebook battery from the notebook, so that it does not get charged all the time?

That way, I would only insert the notebook-battery, when I'm using the notebook out of office, and the battery-life would greatly prolonged this way, right?

But if I charge the battery the first time until it's full, and then don't use if for some time, I assume it discharges itself, so what would be a proper battery charging cyclus, so that it does not get discharged below recovery (or is this not that critical any more with recent lithion-ion batteries)?

Generally with Lithium-ion batteries, you do not need to remove them. I have a T41 that is plugged in much more than it is on battery, and the battery is still fine one year later. Of course, it is beginning to deteriorate slowly (because it is a chemical stew and changes) but that is well within expectation.

I would get a couple of port replicators for that box, do the things you say, and consider in addition, getting monitor and keyboard for each office. That way, you don't even open the machine. Plonk it down on the replicator closed, turn it on (there is a replicator power button) and use it.
... JD Hurst

That's quite intersting news, so such a lithium-ion battery also does not get down on capacity if always only discharged a little, and is then most of the time on ac-adapter? It would happen quite often, I forgot to mention that I'm gonna swap between the two offices on a daily basis.

A little OT, but does the IBM port-replicator really have an own power-button? There is not much info about it on the IBM website, that's why I am unsure, if I should go for two port-replicators or two mini-docks. The only difference seems to be the included power-supply for the mini-dock, and the fact, that is has a 4-port USB 2.0 hub included, but it's nearly about the double price than the port-replicator. I need more than one USB port (at least mouse + scanner in both offices, both USB), so maybe the replicator with a cheap separate USB hub may be the way to go? A 5-button-wheel mouse is a must have for me, but I don't think I need a separate keyboard (the keyboard of the T42p should be quite good, from what I've read about) or a monitor (I especially decided on the T42p with 1600x1200 UXGA FlexView display because of the display).

A port replicator really has its own power button; you already have one power supply; and you could buy one or two more fairly inexpensively off e-Bay. Your choice, of course. I did infer from your first post that you would be moving the laptop daily or thereabouts. ... JD Hurst

Want to know all there is to know about Li-On batteries. Go here:

http://batteryuniversity.com/index.htm

They cover all types of batteries but if you read everything on Li-On in
all three sections, you will be a virtual fountain of battery information.
Some people say the battery is a cheap UPS and leave them in the note-book all the time but the real killer of Li-On batteries is heat. Notebooks generate a fair amount of heat (even Thinkpads!) and at the price that IBM gets for new batteries, I don't exactly think they are a cheap UPS.
This discussion always generates a lot of debate between those who "keep it in all the time" and those who don't. In the end, it is usually
what makes you comfortable and how often you want to buy a new battery.

You are, of course, correct about heat in general. Heat kills everything electronic. I don't know about the "p"'s, but my T41 (non-p) is one cool cucumber. It rarely goes over body temperature anywhere. ... JD Hurst

In the meantime I got my new (and absolutely stunning) T42p. There was no real instruction in the enclosed manual about battery treatment, that could be taken serious.

After some more reading on the subject, it seems to be clear to me:

Leave it in all the time, it's better for the Li-On battery, to be recharged often on just a smaller difference of drain (due to no memory-effect), than to fully drain the battery and do a complete recharge, or than to let it lay arround unused.