Can you buy longer life batteries

[EssexAussie28]

I have a Sony Vaio laptop for work. It is a VGN SZ5XWN.

It seems that when I use it on the train going home, the battery only lasts for 10 minutes.

Is it possible to get a battery that will last longer?

 

[Noway2]

The jury still seems to be out on batteries and adding to that is all the recent changes in battery technology. However, if you are only getting about 10 minutes (or so), chances are the battery itself has worn out and will need to be replaced. There may be differing, i.e. larger, batteries for your machine. They will be rated in amp-hours or miliamp-hours, with the higher the number the longer the battery run time.

From what I have read about the modern lithium based batteries, the biggest killer is heat. I also have read that they do not like to be deeply discharged and are very tolerant of being topped off regularly. This is in contrast to the NiCad or NiMH batteries that used to be common, especially in phones.

A good site on battery information, if you are at all interested is the Battery University: link

 

[FredWagner]

If the laptop has mostly been left plugged in and on charge for months or years, it's 'forgotten' how to discharge - solving that may be frustrating. Simplest solution is to get a fresh battery, and do NOT leave it on charge all the time. If you must use it on AC power most of the time, and if it will run without the battery in it, take the battery OUT once it's charged, and put it back in when you leave the office to use it on the train.

Fred Wagner

 

[BadBigBen]

if you are not using WiFi or UMTS, then make sure that the WiFi/UMTS cards are turned off or unplugged...

these will usually suck the battery right down...


Ben
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