Stone Computers Knowledgebase

My Laptop or Tablet Battery does not Last as Long as it Used To - Is it Faulty?

Article ID: 342
Last updated: 17 Feb, 2015
Article ID: 342
Last updated: 17 Feb, 2015
Revision: 10
Views: 3364
Posted: 20 Jun, 2014
by Andrew Sharrad
Updated: 17 Feb, 2015
by Andrew Sharrad

Stone Branded Laptops and Tablets Warranty Provision

Our branded laptops and tablets are available with some of the best service offerings available in the industry, including next business day service options for a length of up to five years.

The batteries on Stone branded product are warranted for a maximum of three years. This protects you against manufacturing defects or outright battery failures (such as the battery not being detected).

However, like most battery warranties today there are some limits or exclusions; these are based upon the technology used to produce modern batteries.

Reduction in Capacity Over Time

Lithium-ION (LI-ION) batteries do not suffer from the memory effect problem of earlier generations of battery technology. However, LI-ION batteries do suffer from loss of original battery capacity over time. This is irrespective of the amount of use and irrespective of where or not the battery has been stored in a discharged (flat) or charged state.

The amount of capacity loss varies, but on average it equates to between 20% and 30% of the original battery capacity per year.

This means that at the end of two years, for example, the battery capacity may have reduced in the amount of runtime available from between 40% and 60% from the original level. This is the standard expectation of LI-ION battery capacity performance across the industry, and this is the reason that notebook batteries are now generally classed as consumable items.

Reductions of battery capacity over time are not covered by the battery warranty.

What Can I do to Minimise the Reduction of Capacity?

To protect the battery as much as possible, protect the equipment from extremes of temperature, especially temperatures below freezing or above 30C. For example, do not leave the equipment exposed outside, and do not leave the equipment in direct sunlight. Also avoid placing the equipment directly above or in contact with radiators or other strong heat sources.

Other Recommendations: Always use the correct charger to charge the equipment. Replace any chargers which become damaged. If your laptop has a removable battery is not going to be used for a period of time of more than 4 weeks, consider storing the laptop with the battery removed to prevent "dead" batteries - deeply discharged batteries which will not respond to normal charges.

What Else Can I Do?

Customers that need long battery run times after two or three years of battery use may wish to consider buying replacement batteries. Your Stone Account manager will be able to advise you on price and availability.

Tip: If you need to lengthen the amount of time your Windows based laptop or tablet can run on battery, consider changing the systems power plan to the "Power saver" plan to maximise runtime.

Applies to:

  • Stone branded laptop and tablet products

This article was:  
Article ID: 342
Last updated: 17 Feb, 2015
Revision: 10
Views: 3364
Posted: 20 Jun, 2014 by Andrew Sharrad
Updated: 17 Feb, 2015 by Andrew Sharrad
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