Lithium ion batteries provide power for laptops when the user does not utilize an AC adapter. How often a person needs to change a Lithium ion battery depends on a number of factors, but generally, a Lithium ion battery must be replaced every two to three years.

 

Frequent charging shortens the life span of a Lithium ion battery. Batteries should be charged only after they expend all their power.

 

Switching batteries helps preserve battery life: If a cell phone or computer user puts in a spare battery while separately charging the primary Lithium ion battery, that helps extend the life of both batteries.

 

Most laptops charge the battery when a user plugs in the AC adapter. Users can adjust this setting by changing the power options. Windows places this option in the Control Panel, while the Gnome Linux desktop places power options under "Administrative Tools". Cell phones incorporate their own power-saving features that the user usually cannot control.

 

If a laptop battery does not hold a charge for more than a few minutes, a user must replace the Lithium ion battery if he wants to use the computer without an AC adapter.

 

Storing a battery in a cool, dry environment causes a lithium-ion battery to last a little longer and reduces the frequency of needed battery replacements.