docked thinkpad

[jarbill]

If I'm going to leave my Thinkpad docked for long periods of time, should I remove the battery once it's charged? I don't even know if you can dock it with the battery out because I haven't tried it, but I was just wondering if leaving it docked all the time with the battery in would shorten the battery's life.

thanks,

jerry

[slagmi]

Personally I would.
I would also make it a point to fully or at least mostly drain & charge it at least once every couple of weeks or so.

[jtreble]

jarbill,

I've owned several TP/Dock II combinations and find that the battery lasts longer when it's left in. I also leave my TP docked for long periods of time but never turn it off - just close the lid -> standby.

[jarbill]

You don't find that the battery loses its charge memory? Or maybe these li-ion batteries don't have a charge memory like the nimh batteries and older ones did?

Jerry

[jtreble]

jarbill,

The only thing I do is follow the "Battery Tips" as outlined in IBM's "ThinkPad Configuration->Power Management->Reconditioning the Battery". So far it's worked well. Note: all of my batteries are Li-Ion.