
Mobile Device Power
145
Disassembly
and Power
4
Figure 4.27 Netbook battery
NiCad (nickel cadmium) batteries originally used in laptops were replaced with lighter
and more powerful NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries. These batteries were replaced with
Li-ion (lithium-ion) batteries, which are very light and can hold a charge longer than any
other type. They are also more expensive. Mobile
phones, tablets, portable media players, and digital
cameras also use Li-ion batteries. These batteries
lose their charge over time even if they are not being
used. Use your laptop with battery-provided power.
Ensure that a laptop that has an Li-ion battery is not
plugged into an AC outlet all the time. Calibrate a
laptop battery according to manufacturer instruc-
tions so the battery meter displays correctly.
Li-ion polymer batteries are similar to Li-ion
batteries except that they are packed in pouched
cells. This design allows for smaller batteries and a
more efficient use of space, which is important in
the portable computer and mobile devices indus-
tries. For environmentalists, the zinc-air battery is
the one to watch. AER Energy Resources, Inc., has
several patents on a battery that uses oxygen to
generate electricity. Air is allowed to flow during
battery discharge and is blocked when the bat-
tery is not in use. This battery holds a charge for
extended periods of time. Another upcoming tech-
nology is fuel cells. Fuel cells used for a laptop can
provide power for 5 to 10 hours.
Do not power on after a temperature
change
Computers are designed to work within a range of
temperatures, but sudden change is not good for
them. If a mobile device is in a car all night and the
temperature drops, allow the device to return to
room temperature before powering on. Avoid direct
sunlight. Inside the computer case, it is usually
40°F hotter than outside.
Tech
Tip
Do not fully discharge a Li-ion battery
Li-ion batteries do not suffer from the memory
effect, as do some nickel-based batteries. Fully
discharging a lithium battery, such as an Li-ion
battery, is actually bad for it. However, most lithium
batteries have a circuit to prevent the battery from
being totally discharged.
Tech
Tip
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