Filter
Top Products
14 Quick Reference Guide
Using a Battery
Battery Performance
NOTE: For information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see the Product
Information Guide or separate paper warranty document that shipped with your
computer.
For optimal computer performance and to help preserve BIOS settings,
operate your Dell portable computer with the main battery installed at all
times. One battery is supplied as standard equipment in the battery bay.
NOTE: Because the battery may not be fully charged, use the AC adapter to
connect your new computer to an electrical outlet the first time you use the
computer. For best results, operate the computer with the AC adapter until the
battery is fully charged. To view battery charge status, click Start
→
Control
Panel
→
Power Options
→
Power Meter.
Battery operating time varies depending on operating conditions. You can
install an optional second battery in the media bay to significantly increase
operating time.
Operating time is significantly reduced when you perform operations
including, but not limited to, the following:
• Using optical drives
• Using wireless communications devices, PC Cards, ExpressCards, media
memory cards, or USB devices
• Using high-brightness display settings, 3D screen savers, or other power-
intensive programs such as complex 3D graphics applications
Running the computer in maximum performance mode (see "Configuring
Power Management Settings" in your
User’s Guide
).
NOTE: Battery operating time (the time the battery can hold a charge) decreases
over time. Depending on how often the battery is used and the conditions under
which it is used, you may need to purchase a new battery during the life of your
computer.
NOTE: It is recommended that you connect your computer to an electrical outlet
when writing to a CD or DVD.